I believed in the story of ‘Shashtipoorthi’… That’s why I composed the music” – Ilaiyaraaja

Composing music for a film is itself a great thing when done by the music maestro, Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja. The maestro has now worked on the film Shashtipoorthi. Not only did he elevate the film with his music, but he’s also actively participating in its promotions – which is remarkable. Ilaiyaraaja gave a special interview for Shashtipoorthi. Under the banner of MAA AAIE Productions, the film is produced by Rupeysh and stars Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Archana, Rupeysh, and Aakanksha Singh, with direction by Pavan Prabha. The film is set to release on May 30. In this context, lyricist Chaitanya Prasad had a special conversation with the maestro. Here’s what Ilaiyaraaja, Chaitanya Prasad, director Pavan Prabha, and producer Rupeysh had to say:

Chaitanya Prasad:

You’ve had a long journey in cinema and composed thousands of songs. You even composed a symphony. What exactly is a symphony? How did that idea originate?

Ilaiyaraaja:

No one can fully explain what a symphony is. A symphony is an experience—you have to feel it to understand it. The experimental symphony I’ve composed will release soon. Listen to it then. Enjoy it. Experience it.

Usually, filmmakers come to me asking for film scores, not symphonies. That’s why I’m composing this symphony for myself, on my own terms.

Chaitanya Prasad:

You came from a remote village and rose to great heights. Tell us about your journey.

Ilaiyaraaja:

I was born in a small village. There was no one to teach music there. I came from such a background and reached this level. You called it a journey. But a journey has a starting point, a path, and a destination. I have no beginning, and no destination. So I wouldn’t call it a journey.

Chaitanya Prasad:

How did your interest in music begin? How did you enter this field?

Ilaiyaraaja:

My elder brother used to sing. Listening to him regularly sparked a love for music in me. While he sang, I would play some instrument. There’s no one in this world like me. There never was, and never will be. I didn’t learn music from anyone. I don’t even know the basics of classical music. But if you take any famous musician, they’ve learned music or apprenticed under someone. I didn’t do either. I feel like music was a gift from God to me. Even I don’t know how music comes to me or how the songs are born within me.

Chaitanya Prasad:

When did you first want to become a music director and compose songs?

Ilaiyaraaja:

When my brother sang, I used to play music between his lines. People used to applaud. Hearing those claps filled me with pride. But I wondered – are they clapping for me or for the music? I realized they were clapping for the composition – for MS Viswanathan sir. That made me want to compose music too – to receive those same claps.

Chaitanya Prasad:

How do you keep up with the current trends? People also say AI is taking over the music industry.

Ilaiyaraaja:

I don’t even understand the word “trend.” If a song is good, people will listen to it anytime. The only thing that matters is whether people like it.

AI doesn’t do anything on its own. A human brain is worth a hundred AIs. Whatever AI does lacks life. It only works based on pre-programmed instructions. Humans invented AI. But AI can’t create humans—or the human brain.

Chaitanya Prasad:

You’ve come forward to work with this new team. What did you like about Shashtipoorthi?

Ilaiyaraaja:

Right from the start of my career, I’ve supported new talent. Bharathiraja, Mani Ratnam—all were newcomers once. They gained fame after working with me. I chose to support Shashtipoorthi for the same reason – to encourage newcomers. As for whether our work succeeded, that’s for the audience to decide. I care about whether the story is good—not whether the cast has stars.

Chaitanya Prasad:

You always listen to Ilaiyaraaja sir’s songs. What made you decide to do your first project with him?

Pavan Prabha:

I was born in the 1980s. Ilaiyaraaja sir’s songs are my whole world. They aren’t just songs – they’re hymns to me. I might forget to pray, but I’ll never forget to listen to his music.

I blindly decided it had to be him. I thought, “Let’s at least ask him. If not, we’ll see.” But producer Rupeysh made that dream come true. I pitched this story to many others. Everyone said, “Why would Raja sir work for you?” But Rupeysh insisted we try. I didn’t even tell Raja sir the full story – just two minutes. He immediately agreed. Only God knows what he understood in that time.

I feel like the luckiest director on Earth. Shashtipoorthi will remain forever. It’s a musical film, and Raja sir is the true hero. The six songs he composed are extraordinary. I will cherish this experience forever.

Chaitanya Prasad:

Tell us in your words what it was like working with Raja sir?

Rupeysh (Hero & Producer):

Just the thought of going to meet him was nerve-racking. But he welcomed us newcomers with warmth and support. Working with him is truly our fortune. I will never forget our Shashtipoorthi journey.

Chaitanya Prasad:

Shashtipoorthi began at Raja sir’s studio, right?

Pavan Prabha:

Raja sir’s studio is like a temple to me. So where else would I begin my film? Raja sir gave us the blessing of composing the music.

Chaitanya Prasad:

You got Keeravani sir to write lyrics for a tune by Raja sir. What was that like?

Pavan Prabha:

There’s a crucial situation in Shashtipoorthi where both good and bad must be conveyed simultaneously. I felt Keeravani sir was perfect to write for that. I believed only he could write lyrics matching Raja sir’s complex tune. Among all his songs, I especially love Kanna Nidurinchara. I watched every reel of Shashtipoorthi with Raja sir himself. That’s a blessing I’ll always treasure.

Chaitanya Prasad:

There’s a notion that you give only one tune and are very strict. But we never felt that way. Why do people say that?

Ilaiyaraaja:

During Thalapathi, I gave Mani Ratnam the tune for Sundari Neene Nuvvanta. He asked if we could try another. I told him, “Don’t miss this tune.” He asked, “That’s it?” I said, “That’s it.”

Maybe that’s how the rumor started that I only give one tune. But if I believe a tune is timeless, I insist on it.

Chaitanya Prasad:

You used to work on dozens of films at once. How did you manage that stress?

Ilaiyaraaja:

During the Diwali season, sometimes a dozen films would release, and I’d compose for all of them. I’d finish re-recording and BGM work in just three days. Once, I had to finish three films at the same time. I booked three studios, formed three teams, had them practice, and completed three different genre films in three days. Even today, you won’t hear any overlap in those three soundtracks.

Pavan Prabha:

This is the first time you’ve written lyrics for a tune by Raja sir. How did it feel?

Chaitanya Prasad:

Ever since I became a lyricist, I dreamed of writing for Ilaiyaraaja sir. When you said Raja sir was composing for Shashtipoorthi, I didn’t believe it. Many people had said that before, and nothing came of it. But when you booked a ticket, took me to Chennai, and sat me in front of him – I believed it.

Walking into Raja sir’s studio felt like entering a sanctum. His sons – Charan sir and Yuvan sir – sang for the first time for him in this film. The Shashtipoorthi team gave me this divine opportunity.