HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Today is the birthday of Maestro Ilayaraja.

I've had the golden opportunity of seeing him twice. Once when he came to Music Academy in Mylapore to release his entrancing Thiruvasagam. The second time was when he released a book on Mahathma Gandhi in Landmark, Nungambakkam, Chennai. Being in his presence by itself is a beatifying experience.

He is my favourite. His play with music is awe-inspiring and his voice is mesmerising and has no second to compare with. I've always found solace in his voice.

I was then working with Tata Aig Life insurance as an insurance advisor. Life was tough as I had to roam about all around the city in the hot sun and the income wasn't worth all the trouble. I was also staying alone in a small room in chennai. So I had to wake up in the morning get things done, go about my work and come back home with nobody to recieve me. I felt very lonely. Once I was lying on my mat thinking about this. Maestro Ilayaraja's voice came from one of the radios in my neighbourhood.

"ஆலோலம்பாடி அசைந்தாடும் காற்றே

அதைக்கேட்டு தூங்கும் ஆவாரம்பூவே

தனியானால் என்ன? துணை இங்கே...

நான் பாடும் பாட்டுண்டு...."

"Singing a song the wind dances

Listening to it a flower sleeps

What if you are left alone

My song is here for you

To give you company"

It was so soothing. Tears started to flow down my eyes. It was like someone hugging me and caressing me with love. It was a spiritual experience. All the tiredness and loneliness in me got wiped off. That's what every devotee expects when he enters his place of worship, isn't it?

I don't think a thousand Oscars can equal the few drops of tears his music brought in me. I don't think he is going to win a better award than my heart, which he won by soothing it. And, he has won millions of such hearts around the world.

Happy Birthday Maestro!

Incidentally, today is the B'day of a girl I loved in the past.

To listen to a song sung by Maestro, Click here.