The legendary composer of Tamil cinema, Ilaiyaraja`s real name is Rajayya. Ilaiyaraja was born in Pannaipuram and together with his brother formed the group Pavalar Brothers. They held concerts as a part of the Left party campaigns. Ilaiyaraja learnt to play and write musical scores of western classical music and furthered this by learning Carnatic music from T.V. Gopalakrishnan, the singer and mridangam player. Ilaiyaraja`s entry into films was as a member of various orchestras. The first film composition was for Annakkili (1976). Folk melodies formed an essential part of the music which proved sensational. Ilaiyaraja later combined Carnatic, western classical and pop music for his musical scores, for example in the film Raja Parvai (1981). Fusion was his forte and Tamil cinema succumbed to his genius. Among the musical scores to his credit are the films of his childhood friend Bharathirajaa - for example, Pathinaru Vayathinile (1977) and the Mani Ratnam films - Agni Nakshatram (1988), in particular the song Raja rajadhirajan indha raja, and Anjali (1990). His compositions for his two albums are no less innovative. For instance, I Love You Mozart has Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia`s rendition of raga Kalyani on the flute accompanied by Mozart`s 40th Symphony on the violin. Ilaiyaraja`s talents encompass more than music - he is an occasional lyricist and singer as well! Also, the author of two books - Sangeetha Kanavugal, a travelogue and Vettaveliyil Kotti Kidakkudhu, a philosophical effort.