Chiming bells, rhythmic drums and orchestrated winds need to bless this day….the day music maestro Ilayaraja was born.

The man who redefined Indian film music with his soothing and highly emotionally charged music is celebrating his birthday today – 2nd June.

Considered a god by his die hard fans, Ilayaraja has scaled unimaginable heights from his humble beginning. There is only one aspect that took him to dizzy heights – sheer talent. The 80s is considered the Golden Age of South Indian music and the only name that comes to mind during that melodious era is Ilayaraja.

Listen to Ilayaraja Birthday Special on raaga.com

Known for his composition skills in record time, Ilayaraja is considered the darling among filmmakers as well as music lovers. Ilayaraja's background scores are legendary in the sense that that are so very apt with the mood portrayed by the director. With time the traveler plodding on, these tunes get nostalgic to any movie fan. A single note played and the name of the movie and the intensity created in it come to memory. Such is the greatness of this legendary musician.

Having composed music for more than 1000 films, this genius is more into selecting movies that are charged with a wide range of emotions. A whole new generation of music directors is following the trend that he so famously set.

Ilayaraja won the National award as the "Best Music Composer" three times and also became the first Asian to compose symphony with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) of London.

The two fusion albums he composed namely 'how to name it' and 'nothing but wind' are huge favorites of millions. Divine music at its very best.

Ilayaraja is currently composing music for a film named 'Dhanam'.

Indiaglitz wishes Ilayaraja the trendsetter and master musician a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY and MANY MORE HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY.