Ilaiyaraaja is an Indian music composer, songwriter, playback singer, lyricist, and film producer known for his remarkable contribution to South Indian cinema. He gained legendary status through his work in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi films, becoming one of the greatest music composers in Indian cinema history.
Popularly known as “Isaignani” and “Maestro,” he revolutionised Indian film music by blending Tamil folk melodies with Western classical orchestration. With a career spanning over five decades, he has composed thousands of songs and background scores, earning worldwide recognition for his musical genius.
Ilaiyaraaja Wiki & Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ilaiyaraaja |
| Real Name | Gnanathesikan, Daniel Rajayya |
| Nickname | Raasaiya, Raaja, Isaignani, Maestro |
| Profession | Music Director, Composer, Songwriter, Playback Singer, Lyricist, Film Producer |
| Date of Birth | June 2, 1943 |
| Age (2025) | 82 years old |
| Birthplace | Pannaipuram, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Hometown | Pannaipuram, Tamil Nadu |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Marital Status | Widower |
| Wife | Jeeva |
| Known For | Composing music for Tamil & South Indian films |
Ilaiyaraaja Age
Ilaiyaraaja is 82 years old as of 2025. He was born on June 2, 1943, in Pannaipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. He celebrates his birthday every year on June 2.
Ilaiyaraaja Height, Weight & Physical Appearance
| Measurement | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) |
| Weight | 60 kg (132 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Grey |
| Body Type | Average |
He is known for his simple personality and iconic appearance, often seen in traditional attire during music events and concerts.
Early Life & Education
Ilaiyaraaja was born into a poor rural family in Pannaipuram, Tamil Nadu. From a young age, he developed a strong interest in Tamil folk music and learned music from his mother, Chinnathayammal. During his teenage years, he joined his brother Pavalar Varadarajan’s travelling music troupe and performed across South India.
Later, he moved to Chennai to pursue music professionally and studied Western classical music at Trinity College of Music, London, where he earned a gold medal in classical guitar.
Career Journey
Ilaiyaraaja started his career as a session guitarist and assistant music director before making his debut as a music composer in the Tamil film Annakili (1976). His unique style of combining Tamil folk music with Western orchestration transformed South Indian film music. By the 1980s and 1990s, he became one of the most successful composers in Indian cinema.
He has composed over 8,600 songs and provided background scores for more than 1,500 films in multiple languages. He is also the first Asian composer to compose and perform a full Western classical symphony in London.
Notable Movies & TV Shows
| Year | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Annakili | Movie |
| 1984 | Saagara Sangamam | Movie |
| 1986 | Sindhu Bhairavi | Movie |
| 1987 | Nayakan | Movie |
| 1991 | Thalapathi | Movie |
| 1992 | Thevar Magan | Movie |
| 2005 | Cheeni Kum | Movie |
| 1996 | Thenpandi Singam | TV Show |
| 2010 | Pazhassi Raja | Movie |
| 2020 | Bharath Bhoomi | Music Project |
Awards & Achievements
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| National Film Award for Best Music Direction | Multiple Times |
| Padma Bhushan | 2010 |
| Padma Vibhushan | 2018 |
| Sangeet Natak Akademi Award | 2012 |
| Gold Remi Award | 2005 |
He is widely regarded as one of the most influential music composers in Indian cinema history.
Family Details
| Relation | Name |
|---|---|
| Father | Daniel Ramaswamy |
| Mother | Chinnathayammal |
| Wife | Jeeva |
| Son | Yuvan Shankar Raja |
| Son | Karthik Raja |
| Daughter | Bhavatharini |
| Brother | Gangai Amaran |
His children are also associated with the Indian music industry.
Relationship Status
Ilaiyaraaja was married to Jeeva, who passed away in 2011. He maintained a private personal life and remained deeply devoted to music and spirituality.
Ilaiyaraaja Net Worth
Ilaiyaraaja has an estimated net worth of around $90–95 million (approx.) as of 2026. His major income sources include:
- Music composition
- Film background scores
- Live concerts
- Royalties
- Music production
Social Media Presence
| Platform | Username | Followers |
| @ilaiyaraaja_offl | 102K followers | |
| Ilaiyaraaja | 2.8M followers |
He shares updates related to concerts, music releases, and public appearances.
Favorite Things
| Category | Favorites |
|---|---|
| Musicians | A. R. Rahman, Bach, Mozart, Beethoven |
| Hobby | Playing musical instruments |
| Favorite Instrument | Harmonium |
| Interests | Spirituality, Classical Music |
Interesting Facts About Ilaiyaraaja
- Ilaiyaraaja composed over 8,600 songs in his career.
- He is known as “Isaignani,” meaning “Musical Genius.”
- Ilaiyaraaja became the first Indian composer to record film music using computers.
- He composed the first Indian oratorio, Thiruvasagam in Symphony.
- Ilaiyaraaja performed more than 20,000 live concerts worldwide.
- His song “Rakkamma Kaiya Thattu” was ranked among the world’s top songs in an international poll.
- He received Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan from the Government of India.
- Ilaiyaraaja was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 2022.
Conclusion
Ilaiyaraaja is one of the greatest music composers India has ever produced. From humble beginnings in rural Tamil Nadu to becoming an internationally respected composer, his journey reflects dedication, creativity, and musical brilliance. His timeless compositions continue to inspire generations of music lovers around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ilaiyaraaja?
Ilaiyaraaja is a legendary Indian music composer, songwriter, and playback singer known for revolutionising South Indian film music with his blend of folk, classical, and Western orchestration styles.
How old is Ilaiyaraaja?
Ilaiyaraaja is 82 years old as of 2026.
How tall is Ilaiyaraaja?
Ilaiyaraaja is 1.63 m (5 feet 4 inches) tall.
When is Ilaiyaraaja’s date of birth?
Ilaiyaraaja celebrates his birthday (DOB) on June 2 every year.
Who are Ilaiyaraaja’s siblings?
Ilaiyaraaja has three brothers and two sisters. His brothers are Pavalar Varatharajan, Gangai Amaran (Amar Singh), and Daniel Bhaskar, while his sisters are Kamalammal and Padmavathi.
What is Ilaiyaraaja’s caste?
Ilaiyaraaja’s caste is Scheduled.
What is Ilaiyaraaja’s net worth?
Ilaiyaraaja’s estimated net worth is $90–95 million.
What is Ilaiyaraaja’s height?
Ilaiyaraaja’s height is 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm).
What is Ilaiyaraaja’s weight?
Ilaiyaraaja weighs 132 lbs (60 kg).
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