Shri. Ilaiyaraaja, born June 2nd, 1943, is an Indian Film Composer, Orchestrator,
Conductor, Arranger, Lyricist, Writer, Singer, Producer who works in the Indian Film
Industry. Widely regarded as one of the Greatest Indian Music Composers, he is often credited for introducing Western Musical sensibilities in the Indian Film musical mainstream. He has Composed over 8,800 Songs besides being the only Composer in the World to have Composed Music for 1543 Feature Films in over 9 languages. Shri. Ilaiyaraaja is the only Composer in the world to have written lyrics for over 1500 songs besides singing over 1000 songs himself. In a 2013 poll conducted by CNN celebrating 100 Years of Indian Cinema, Shri. Ilaiyaraaja was voted as the All-time Greatest Film-Music Director of India. In 2014, American World Cinema portal "Taste of Cinema" placed him at the 9th position in its list of 25 Greatest Film Composers in the History of Cinema amongst Ennio Morricone, John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, and Hans Zimmer. In 2003, according to an International Poll conducted by BBC with participation from 165 countries, his composition "Rakkamma Kaiya Thattu" from the 1991 film Thalapathi was voted Fourth in the Top 10 Most Popular Songs of all time.

Dr. Ilaiyaraaja, nicknamed "isaignani" (Musical Genius) a title conferred on him by
former Chief Minister Late Kalaignar Karunanidhi, is also often referred to as
"Maestro", by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra London, has performed live on stage in over 25,000 Concerts in his career spanning 5 decades.