Dr.BALAMURALIKRISHNA (Eminent Carnatic Vocalist, India)- As far as i am concerned, I would say Ilayaraaja is the composer of the century. If there is one single authority on 'orchestration', it can only be Ilayaraaja.
HARIPRASAD CHAURASIA, (exponent of Hindustani Classical Music, India) - It is a treat watching him (Mr. Ilayaraaja) work - he does everything, composing, arrangement of instruments, orchestration and conducting - that too without the help of any assistants and a stopwatch.
LALGUDI JAYARAMAN (Eminent Musician, India) - The speed with which he writes notations have always baffled me.
NAUSHAD ALI (Doyen of Hindi film music, India)- That this man has achieved is 100 times more than what any of us have achieved; only time can tell the quantum of his achievements.
RICHARD KING (Sound Engineer of Thiruvasagam in Symphony, Winner of 5 Grammy awards) - Even his thoughts are musical. Ilayaraaja is the musical face of India, which the western world is really stunned at!!!
SEMANGUDI SRINIVASA AYYAR (Eminent Carnatic Vocalist, India) - Raaja has that unique gift to please common man and carnatic experts alike. Shri Ilaiyaraaja is a great film music director - his expertise in diluting Carnatic Ragas without diluting their native merits, is well known to me - and a thorough expert in Carnatic music.
ZUBIN MEHTA (Music Conductor, Israel Philharmonic) - I was bewildered after listening to his 'Nothing But Wind' and 'How to Name it'. He belongs to the 21st century and perhaps beyond.
Mani Ratnam(ace Director)-Ilayaraja would look at the scene once, and immediately start giving notes to his assistants, as a bunch of musicians, hovering around him, would collect the notes for their instrument and go to their places. When the orchestra played out the notes, they would be perfect, not just in harmony but also in timing - the background score would commence exactly where it should and end at the exact place required, pointed out Mani Ratnam, amidst applause. Ilayaraja was a genius, he said, who could compose music
Balki(Director)-He's god. He has been a major source of inspiration. I don't think India has known a better music composer. Sadly one-half of India has not heard him enough.
The above were a few praises from a few eminent personalities abt Ilayaraaja...i thought i should put up a few of dese to tel da world about his talent...
Santosh Ram
