Kerala government and TDB honour music maestro Ilaiyaraaja

CHENNAI: Music maestro Ilaiyaraaja has won the Travancore Devaswom Board's Harivarasanam Award 2020. A Kerala government order issued on Friday said the 'Worshipful Music Genius' title will be conferred on the ace composer at the sannidhanam at Sabarimala on January 15.
"The Harivarasanam award, consisting of 1 lakh in cash, a plaque and a citation, is conferred on those individuals who contributed immensely to religious harmony and national integration," said the order, describing Ilaiyaraaja as a legendary music composer, singer, conductor, song writer, instrumentalist, orchestrator and lyricist who works in the Indian film industry.He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2018.
As news of the honour spread, praise began pouring in. Director S P Muthuraman, who worked with the musician in 37 Tamil movies, said he deserved 1,000 more awards. "I have to thank the Kerala government at the outset for honouring him. His soulful music is a lullaby for scores of people. To have composed more than 1,000 songs in various languages is no mean task and this genius has stolen hearts not just with songs. His background scores have also given life to many films over the decades..."
Singer Mano said he was proud of having been a part of Ilaiyaraaja's musical journey. "I am nobody to compliment him but whatever I say and do, I mean it from my heart. The fact that the award has been given when he is hale and hearty is something to be noticed and appreciated. In fact, he deserves the Bharat Ratna. Apart from his usual compositions for movies, his devotional numbers too had a different fan base. An award can be fully enjoyed and cherished only when it comes at the right time, this award is one such to the maestro," added Mano.