Music maestro Ilaiyaraja is celebrating his 75th birthday on Saturday. 'Isaignani' Ilaiyaraja had many a times revealed in his earlier interviews that he hates the idea of celebrating his birthday by cutting cake or hosting parties.
The journey of Ilaiyaraaja is indeed quite inspirational and exemplary for all the younger generation of musicians. People used to gather on the streets to listen to his songs played on radios. This, he feels is the real success of a music composer than any award or recognition.
ALSO READ: Here's a look-back at 10 popular Tamil songs of K J Yesudas
Today, on his birthday, Onmanorama lists out 5 Malayalam songs by the legend:
♪ Thannannam thaanannam ♪
The song 'Thannannam thaanannam' was sung by K. J. Yesudas, Ambili, Antony, Anna Sangeetha for the movie Yathra. The song is said to be inspired from "My Favorite Things" from the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music.
♪ Poomkattinodum Kilikalodum ♪
'Poomukhapadiyil Ninneyum Kaathu', the 1986 film directed by Bhadran is most remembered for its evergreen melody Poomkattinodum Kilikalodum. Although the movie starred Mammootty in the lead, the song featuring Rahman was much noted. Penned by Bichu Thirumala, the song is sung by Yesudas.
♪ Manikutty Kurumbulla ♪
The 1997 movie Kaliyoonjal had 10 songs, all composed by Ilaiyaraja and written by Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri. The song 'Manikutty Kurumbulla' which tells about the love a brother has for his little sister is sung by Yesudas.
♪ Kadal kattin nenjil ♪
The song from the movie Friends starring Jayaram, Mukesh and Sreenivasan is one of the most emotional songs that has won the hearts of every Malayali. Composed by the legend, the song 'Kadal kattin nenjil' is penned by Kaithapram and sung by Yesudas.
♪ Melleyonnu paadi ninne ♪
Written by Gireesh Puthenchery, the song 'Melleyonnu paadi ninne' is sung by Yesudas and Jyotsna. The major selling point of the movie Manasinakkare was the songs all composed by Ilaiyaraja. Just like the bitter and sweet story that the movie presented the songs breathed life into the movie.
