He specialized in classical guitar and had done a course in it with the Trinity College of Music, London.

In 1968, he began a music course with Professor Dhanraj in Madras (now Chennai).

While working with the troupe, he penned his first composition.

At the age of 14, Ilaiyaraaja joined a travelling musical troupe headed by his elder stepbrother, Pavalar Varadarajan.He produced some movies later in his life under the banner of Pavalar Productions in the memory of his brother. His eldest brother, Varadarajan died when the family faced extreme poverty. He was an introvert, constantly exploring his skills in music. Growing up in a rural area, he was exposed to a range of Tamil folk music. Ilaiyaraaja was born as Gnanadesikan in Pannaipuram, Theni district, Tamil Nadu, India on 2 June 1943, 3rd son of Ramaswamy and Chinnathayammal. From 1987 he had a 5-year successful stint in advertising (jingles).He was a part of local rock bands like Roots, Magic and Nemesis Avenue.

He got a scholarship to the famed Trinity College of Music at Oxford University from where he obtained a degree in Western Classical Music.He also played on the orchestra of M.S.Vishwanathan, Raj-Koti and Ramesh Naidu and accompanied Zakir Hussain and Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan on world tours.He dropped out of school altogether when he was doing his 11th grade.He joined, as a keyboardist, in the troupe of Ilaiyaraaja.He served as a keyboard player and an arranger in bands such as 'Roots', with childhood friend and percussionist Sivamani, John Anthony, Suresh Peters, JoJo and Raja.He began early training in music under Master Dhanraj.He started learning the piano at the tender age of four.amalgamated elements of genres such as Afro-tribal, bossa nova, dance music doo-wop, flamenco, acoustic guitar jazz, march, pathos, pop, psychedelia, and rock and roll. Interfusion of Western, Indian folk and Carnatic elements. Symphonic orchestral themes, fusing traditional instruments with new electronic sounds and technology, uses of counterpoint, orchestration and the human voice. Karunanidhi(1988) conferred the title Isaignani (English: A man with great knowledge in music), or as The Maestro.Р”В¬arnatic music, Western classical, Hindustani music and Qawwali. Time magazine has referred to him as the 'Mozart of Madras' and several Tamil commentators have coined him the nickname Isai Puyal (Tamil: Р°В®вЂЎР°В®С™Р°Р‡в‚¬Р°В®Р„Р°Р‡РЊ Р°В®Р„Р°Р‡РѓР°В®Р‡Р°В®Р†Р°Р‡РЊ English: Music Storm). Three two sons (Karthik Raja and Yuvan Shankar Raja) and a daughter (Bhavatharini)

Three Two daughters (Khadijah, Rahima) and a son (Aameen). Keyboard, piano, guitar, harmonium and the synthesizer A gold medalist in classical guitar from Trinity College of Music. In 1968, music course with Master Dhanraj in Chennai. Graduated with a degree in Western classical music from the Trinity College of Music. He began early training in music under Master Dhanraj. Pannaipuram, Theni district, Tamil Nadu, India John Abraham, Mayor of Teaneck, New Jersey, U.S.A.Р”В¬omposer, record producer, music director, singer, instrumentalist, arranger, programmerР”Р‡ilm score composer, lyricist, music director, instrumentalist, arranger, singer 1994 Honorary citizenship and key to the Teaneck township by Mr. Padma Bhushan, from the Government of India. 2009 Oscar award and two Grammy Awards 25 Filmfare awards Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan, from the Government of India.

Best ilayaraja songs