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Why Ilayaraja's Music Does Not Appeal to the Younger Generation

Topic started by Gowri (@ 161.142.100.86) on Tue Mar 19 01:02:59 EST 2002.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

I have always wondered this.
If age factor is the issue, how is it that Deva who should be the in the same age group, is able to command quite a following?
Please do not insult the yonger generation by refering to deteriorating music taste.

Although there are some youngsters who prefer Ilayaraja, the number is very small.
Most youngsters prefer ARR, Deva, HJ, SAR, Vidhyasagar, etc.

Generally Ilayaraja's genre of music do not seem to hold the younger crowd. Why do you think this is?

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Responses:

• Old responses
  
• From: IR_Fan_From_Kerala (@ 210.18.114.3) on: Thu Oct 14 02:10:11 EDT 2004
  
  I dont thionk being appealing to younger generation is a bench mark for Good Music. If thats the case then, the whole stuff of classical music is a big thrash. All thyagaraja keerthana's are junk, and all the people like Balamuralikrishna, Pdt. Bhimsen Joshi, Semmangudi etc etc (I wonder how many people know them) wasted their lives in the name of 'Junk' muisc. Its a truth that all the classical forms od art, literature and music are enjoyed and admired only by a small section of the population, east or west. But that doesnt mean that those stuffs are waste. How many of us can enjoy an art movie? How many of us can sit patiently and hear a Carnatic Katcheri? Arent they great? They are and they will. But younger generation music will shoot down at the same pace theuy shoot up. They cant stand the test of time. Real, indepth stuffs will remain for ever, and Ilayaraja songs are no exceptions from them. Majority Of Ilayaraja melodies will live for ever, even without media publicity, thats their class. They need no marketing, no ads.. Hope its clear..
  
  
• From: IRfan khan (@ 64.166.86.236) on: Thu Oct 14 02:53:29 EDT 2004
  
  Young people are not exposed to the intricacies and nuances of indian music. They are more attracted to western pop music and so are enamored of film music that sounds like these pop music. The current trend of setting songs to dance rhythms will surely appeal to the younger generation more. I dont see anything wrong if they dont listen to IR. As kids we listened to twinkle twinkle little start..but as we grew up we listened to different music. Similarly, youngsters will get over it. Once they make good progress in their career and prove themselves internationally (like a software engineer or a surgeon) they will get over their complexes and be proud of their indian heritage.
  
  
• From: kj (@ 130.237.166.79) on: Thu Oct 14 03:24:33 EDT 2004
  
  its the age....beleive me...IRs music may not appeal to young.becuz they r not very aware of complex music..for them its just the beats and the rythm that appeals.nothing wrong and nothing to worry..theyll grow up.ive myself had this unbelievable transformation from a hard core ARR fan to an IR maniac as i grew up.
  
  
• From: 2cents (@ 136.1.1.154) on: Thu Oct 14 11:40:36 EDT 2004
  
  I think all of the following statements have some substance:
  
  Present creations of IR do not evoke strong response from young crowd because:
  -he usually gets signed up for movies which themselves do not jell with youths
  -he is getting old and concentrating on some serious grumpy stuff, not bothered about `mass youth appeal' anymore (like his own singing / Kamal shouting etc.)
  -he is still capable of churning out `youth appealing stuff' if he's interested (like `oLiyilE therivadhu')
  
  
• From: rs (@ 219.64.132.106) on: Thu Oct 14 13:08:32 EDT 2004
  
  if you want to enjoy many of the ilaiyaraja's songs...
  
  ->listen in audio / CD player only (ilayaraja have scored great scores for pathetic films or probably good films but with painful quality)
  
  -> if possible, learn carnatic music , bcoz now i cud find the hidden beauty in many of the ilayaraja songs which previously i never wanted to hear
  
  
• From: Note Man (@ 24.11.160.43) on: Thu Oct 14 13:31:11 EDT 2004
  
  IR's music may not appeal to current young generation due to the over exposure to western music and the general lack of appreciation for Indian music and culture. IR's music dazzled and enthralled a whole generation of youngsters from 1976-1991. Youngsters nowadays want a lot of english sounding, repeating lyrics with heavy beats and they are lapping it up.
  
  To appreciate IR's music you need to be able to appreciate any of the following:
  1. Indian classical music
  2. Western classical music
  3. Folk oriented music
  4. Comprehensive and transperant fusion music
  
  And, have an ear for the guitar (bass) and the piano, like being able to find these sections among the multitude of instruments playing.
  
  
• From: nantha (@ 64.164.60.81) on: Thu Oct 14 14:29:46 EDT 2004
  
  Note Man,
  
  You are absolutely right..I agree with you
  
  
• From: sajith (@ 61.1.250.136) on: Thu Oct 14 14:33:23 EDT 2004
  
  just imagine Ilayaraja stooping so low to compose music for all mega crappy **** we get in the name of tamil films these days starring vijay,dhanush,prabhudeva and co.Can he ever compose songs like those u got in movies like Youth....todays cheap movies need cheap music which deva and others come up with in plenty.do u remember when senior heroes like satyaraj,prabhu,vijayakanth,karthik last sang a proper hit song.U have deva who copies R.D.Burman,nadeem sharavan and even pakistani Junoon..sick shit...if thiss the music that the new generation lust after then Ilayaraja better retire.The class act called IlayaRaja will never be popular with the pepsi drinkers...thank god...atleast thats what I pray
  
  
• From: Genesis (@ 136.1.1.33) on: Thu Oct 14 14:54:04 EDT 2004
  
  Change is inevitable.
  
  If you ask the people in their 50s/60s they will tell how IR's music did not appeal to them. Everyone knows up to late 60s lyrics were given more importance than music. So when quality of lyrics started deteoriating, people blamed IR - ofcurse it is not IR's fault. The "then" younger generation needed a break from lengthly dialogues and boring songs.
  
  Change is inevitable not only in Music - you can see it in every walk of life.
  
  Don't blame younger generation - you did the same thing when you were young. Realise you are getting old.
  
  
• From: k (@ 192.138.150.249) on: Fri Oct 15 13:36:47 EDT 2004
  
  Many people did not like IR initially for the various reasons -
  
  1) He composed more folk songs than MSV, KVM
  2) His songs had a 'lighter feel' than being overtly carnatic
  3) His popular songs had more accompanying chords and do not 'flow' freely like the pure indian melodies of MSV, KVM.
  4) Ofcourse, lyrics got crappy, especially with those 'cabaret' songs which were part of the masala of his times (atleast some separates actresses were used for these unlike the 'versatile' heroines of today)
  
  The problem is ARR taught people how easy it is to create a song with loops..But he did a good job in maintaining quality but the monkeys are now playing with that garland ..
  
  
• From: Vj (@ 203.76.129.2) on: Fri Oct 15 19:11:36 EDT 2004
  
  "Why ___________'s music does not appeal to the younger generation?".
  
  This topic would keep repeating itself every 10 years with the name of the MD changing every time.
  
  
• From: Gyan (@ 68.75.56.79) on: Sat Oct 16 11:27:28 EDT 2004
  
  http://www.geocities.com/ilaiyaragam/celeb_speak.html
  
  Shakespeare cannot be enjoyed anymore, does that mean the basis of English theater is anyother writer? A Western actor talent is measured by his or her experience and abilities in Shakespearne theater.
  
  Standards for instrumental works from now on will be IR, whether the future generations like it or not. No one else has done a Shakespeare in music other than IR.
  
  
• From: vijay (@ 68.51.134.219) on: Sat Oct 16 12:58:00 EDT 2004
  
  When IR's music doesnt appeal to his fans themselves, we cannot expect the "younger generation" to listen to his music. As far as TFM is concerned IR's involvement/interest hasnt been 1% of what it has been for TIS. He is to blame and no one else. Dozens of albums with jaded,recycled tunes and bad choice of films like Rajasthan, Thodarum etc. that fail to inspire him. The last 10 years have been mostly forgettable and that's sad. The more TFM he does these days, the more he adds to his uninspired songs collection. I dont think highly of Kaasi or Azhagi either. Kaasi had the most boring combination of tunes and rhythms I have heard from IR in a long time. En mana vaanil sounded like a bad extension of "bol radha bol sangam" from the 60s. Maanu tholu had the standard rhythm that was heard in hundreds of songs even in the late 80s. Situation in MalluFM has been better the last few years but he hasnt been composing much there lately.
  
  
• From: Vel (@ 219.65.117.142) on: Sat Oct 16 13:43:59 EDT 2004
  
  Gyan,
  
  Pretty thoughtful that you posted that "celebrity fans" link...therein are some "quite-youngs" celebrities that have given their opinion abt IR...And pretty "knowledgeable" youngster celebrity crowd, that too...Like singer (Mirchi) suchitra, singer karthik, MD manisharma, devi sri prasad, singer mahathi, harish ragavendra, usha (telugu), L.Balaji(cricketer), saran (director)...
  
  --------------------------------
  
  MIRCHI SHIVA (RJ, Radio Mirchi, India) - It is pure bliss to just listen to his songs. But even better than that, as a lucky RJ, i also get to play his songs for everyone to listen. That gives immense satisfaction to me. So stay tuned !!
  
  MANI SHARMA (Music Composer, South India) - He is my idol & my personal guru. It is his music that created the urge in me to take up music as my career. I especially was enchanted by songs like "Ennadi Meenakshi" when i was young.
  
  KARTHIK ( Budding Singer, India) - Working with him, you are introduced to a totally different plane of music making. His style is a very unique. I consider myself very lucky to have worked with him.
  
  MAHATHI (Budding Singer, India) - I have been a crazy fan of ilaiyaraaja right from my childhood days. I was delighted beyond words, when i got the opportunity to sing my very first song in his music. It was a dream come true for me.
  
  MIRCHI SUCHITRA (RJ, Radio Mirchi & Budding Singer, India) - I think it would be shallow to call Ilayaraja a 'music director'. if there is a word to describe someone who can mould your mind with his music - that word would describe him. With most kinds of music, you listen to it, enjoy it and then forget about it. Ilayaraja's music makes you laugh, makes you cry, makes you think, calms you down, picks you up...personally, there are so many songs of Raja's that have changed me, calmed me down when i've been in the worst of moods and given me the energy to face the day when i've not wanted to. I cannot imagine life without his music.
  
  DEVI SRI PRASAD (Film Music Director, South India) - He is my God. I have grown up listening to his music. Whatever i am able to compose today, i owe it to this maestro.
  
  SARAN (Film Director, South India) - I would quarrel and fight and turn violent in my college days with my friends who pull my leg by comparing ilaiyaraja with other composers. I love and adore him as my favourite composer.
  
  L.BALAJI (Budding Cricket Star/Bowler, India) - I love all the melodious compositions of ilaiyaraja sung by S.P.Balasubramaniam and Yesudoss. My all time favourite is 'raja raja chozhan' from 'Rettai Vaal Kuruvi' that i hum frequently.
  
  USHA (Budding Singer, South India) - For any aspiring singer, singing in his music would be a cherished dream and not many get that chance. He is very jovial, a simpleton and unassuming as a person. If you enter his special room in Prasad Labs, and you will be able to feel the current of tranquility pass through your body. He composes without even having to touch the harmonium and is adept in tuning a good carnatic based tune in folk and western formats. He can re-record for a movie in one single day, in one go. He is lightening fast in judging if the singer has indeed sung the song up to his optimal capacity or if there could be any improvements.
  
  JASSIE GIFT (Composer, South India) - For melodious numbers that i compose, maestro ilaiyaraja is the prime inspiration.
  
  HARISH RAGHAVENDRA (Budding Playback Singer, South India) - I am the luckiest of them all (singers). My very first song was written by a genius lyricist (Bharathiyar) and a genius composer (ilaiyaraaja). When ilaiyaraaja sir finally OK'd my song, it made me feel as if i had received a great award. Later when the song became a hit, Raja was caring enough to caution me not to be lethargic, and stressed on the need to work hard.
  
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  But of course, i am not sure whats the age limit thats used here to define "youngsters" from the thread title...May be teens that u r talking abt...or even younger..in that case, i wud think sajith may be dead right in what he says (though sajith cud learn to put it more mildy).
  
  
• From: non ir fan (@ 62.243.89.46) on: Sat Oct 16 19:52:29 EDT 2004
  
  ilayaraja this and ilayaraja that ...i really look forward to the day when he retires from cinema
  
  

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