Legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja completed 50 years in the film industry this year, and a special event was held on Saturday to commemorate his golden jubilee. The celebration was attended by Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, among others. During the event, Rajinikanth reflected on Ilaiyaraaja’s illustrious career and enduring legacy. He also spoke about the composer’s close association with the late singer SP Balasubrahmanyam, who lent his voice to many of Ilaiyaraaja’s chartbusters.
Rajinikanth recalled Ilaiyaraaja’s legal battle against the unauthorized use of his songs, noting that it spared no one, not even SP Balasubrahmanyam. “Ilaiyaraaja has always been sure of not making the unauthorized use of his songs go without litigation. He has got all the royalties. Once, SPB was attending a concert in the US, where he was scheduled to sing Ilaiyaraaja’s compositions. When someone brought this to Ilaiyaraaja’s attention, he said, ‘The law is the same for everyone. SPB will understand this and stop singing. If he reacts angrily, then he isn’t my friend.’ Just moments before the program, SPB was informed of Ilaiyaraaja’s strict policy about his songs, and he stopped the concert midway and announced that he will be singing some other composer’s songs.”
Rajinikanth also shared how SP Balasubrahmanyam’s unexpected death during the pandemic deeply impacted Ilaiyaraaja. “Ilaiyaraaja was so affected by the demise of SP Balasubrahmanyam during COVID-19. The eyes which never welled up at the death of his sibling, wife, or daughter, welled up at the loss of his closest friend,” said the superstar.
Ilaiyaraaja’s golden jubilee function was held at Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai last Saturday.
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