Sources confirm that Ilaiyaraaja, the Indian composer who has scored over 1,000 films, is now retooling his symphonies for the global stage. At 81, the man who never learned to read music notation is rewriting orchestral rules. Uncovered documents from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra reveal a collaboration that sees his Tamil melodies fused with classical structures. But don't call it a crossover. It's a takeover.
For five decades, Ilaiyaraaja has been a solitary force in Indian cinema, churning out chart-toppers from a cramped Chennai studio. His scores, often smuggled through late-night recording sessions, have soundtracked everything from village dramas to political thrillers. Now, he's taking his act to London, New York, and Tokyo.
The project, codenamed 'Symphony of the South', involves retooling 12 of his iconic compositions into full orchestral pieces. Sources say the maestro has been in clandestine rehearsals with the RPO's string section, demanding they abandon sheet music and play 'by feel'. 'He told them to stop being robots,' one insider whispered.
Of course, the establishment is rattled. Critics argue that his music, rooted in folk and Carnatic traditions, doesn't belong in concert halls. But that's precisely the point. Ilaiyaraaja has always been the establishment's nightmare. He came from dirt-poor beginnings, slept on railway platforms, and churned out hits while sleeping three hours a night. He doesn't play by their rules.
Financial documents we've seen show a deal worth nearly £2 million, with streaming giants already circling. The album, set for release in October, is expected to challenge Western notions of what orchestral music can be.
But here's the real story. Ilaiyaraaja's move is not a late-career vanity project. It's a calculated power grab. He's been systematically buying back his own publishing rights for years, severing ties with the film industry mafia that once controlled his work. This symphony is his declaration of independence.
Sources close to the composer say he has been compiling a 'blacklist' of producers who shortchanged him over the years. 'He never forgets a face or a royalty cheque,' one former assistant claimed.
The concerts, set for November in three cities, have already sold out. But don't expect a polite standing ovation. Expect a revolution. This is Ilaiyaraaja taking back control of his legacy, one note at a time.
We reached out to his lawyer for comment. He sent back a single word: 'Finalised.'
