Ilayaraja is the living legend of south Indian film industry. Born on June 2, 1943 in Theni district of Tamil Nadu, he has composed over 4000 songs and has worked in an astonishing number of 800 movies. Ilayaraja was originally named as Gnanadesikan. His first brush of music occurred when found interest in Tamil folk songs. At an early age of 14, he joined a musical troupe. His first composition was an elegy written by Tamil poet Kannadasan. The maestro further honed his talent in a music course in Madras and later on Trinity college of Music, London. His specialization was classical guitar.

Ilayaraja first started his job as a guitarist in the 1970s. Later on he covered almost all the spectrum as keyboardist, session guitarist, and orchestra member. He is in the industry for more than three decades. Ilayaraja has worked in several languages apart from Tamil. He has composed music for Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada films. Ilayaraja introduced western musical nuances in Tamil songs. His entry into music direction took place in 1976 for the movie Annakkili. His modus operandi was to use two entirely dfferent but great things together. He used Tamil poetry with techniques of modern film music orchestra. Right from the first movie, Ilayaraja became a huge hit.   

Pathinaru Vayathinile, Payanangal Mudivathillai, Bhuvana Oru Kelvikkuri, Apoorva Sahodarargal, Annai Oru Aalayam, Moondram Pirai, Rudra Veenai, Muthal Mariyathai, Munthanai Mudichu, Punnagai Mannan, Sagara Sangamam and Nallavanukku Nallavan. Ilayaraja has worked in top movies like Anjali, Thalapathi, Michael Madana Kamarajan, Magalir Mattum, Sirai Chaalai and Sethu to name a few. Since the dawn of new millennium he has cut down on his works. Ilayaraja has won several awards like National Film Award for Best Music Direction, Gold Remi Award for Best Music Score, Kalaimamani Award from the Government of the State of Tamil Nadu, Government of Kerala, and Madhya Pradesh State Award among others.