Music maestro and Rajya Sabha MP Ilaiyaraaja on Sunday said he would certainly fulfil Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s request to set the Sangam literary works to music.
Responding to the Chief Minister’s request at an event commemorating Mr. Ilaiyaraaja’s 50 years in the film industry, the maestro said he was overwhelmed and overjoyed by the way the event was organised and could not find words to express his feelings. He said he was surprised by how naturally the Chief Minister recalled the literary works. “The Chief Minister’s words, that only I can do it, encouraged me further,” he said.
Mr. Ilaiyaraaja said he was deeply moved and could not believe that the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, and other officials had made such efforts to organise the function. “I was overwhelmed and could not speak,” he said in a video posted on his X (formerly Twitter).
He had asked the Chief Minister why such an event was being organised for him. “Many people may see it differently. Why such love? Perhaps it is because of my music. Only he can answer. But I do not expect such felicitation. Still, he organised the event. Perhaps he considered my Symphony a great achievement. I believe, he must have felt it was the duty of the state government to honour a Tamil, who has gained worldwide fame,” Mr. Ilaiyaraaja said.
