In Bapu’s words
A. D. RANGARAJAN
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Ilayaraja brings alive Gandhiji’s last bhajan.
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Photo: K.V. Poornachandra Kumar
musical legend Ilayaraja.
Mahatma Gandhi’s last bhajan O namrata ke sagar came alive when musical genius Ilayaraja sang it on stage. The maestro who has always maintained a low-profile, almost broke down while singing in front of a huge audience comprising students of Tirupati-based Sree Vidyanikethan Engineering College, run by Mohan Babu. The mellifluous bhajan, composed by the maestro and sung by Hindustani classical exponent Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, saw light for the first time on July 16, 2008 when the audio was played before a mesmerised audience, who applauded the maestro whole-heartedly.
Ilayaraja has the habit of hurling the famous quote “What has been learnt is a drop, what remains to be learnt is the size of an ocean” in a bid to silence his flattering hosts or scribes. The self-effacing legend never assumed a larger-than-life role and believes in constant learning. For digging his head into music to explore more, he cites one reason: Music is divine, eternal and a magic potion that removes all woes!
Taking a jibe at the way music is composed nowadays with the percussion and wind instruments eclipsing the lyrics, he cupped his mouth and made mock sounds of metallic beats and asked, “Is this music?” As a reply to his own question, he said, “Music should be simple, aimed to influence your heart and mind, not blow your eardrum out!”
Turning to Mohan Babu seated next to him, he explained the good working relationship they had and called him one of his very few good friends. His relationship with childhood friend-turned-film director Bharathi Raja had strained once and was later patched up, a topic none expected him to raise here. “Bharathi Raja has an important place in my heart. I have etched an equally significant place in my heart for Mohan Babu,” he thundered in broken Telugu, which was again met with a thunderous applause.
Overwhelmed by the response and admitting his entry into the twilight of his career, Ilayaraja turned emotional at the fag end of his speech and declared, “Even if not on the music charts or in tinsel town buzz, I will remain firmly ensconced in the hearts of music lovers...!”
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