Titled “Raaja Rhapsody – Maestro Live in Concert”, the event promises an unforgettable night of timeless music, performed by a 70-piece orchestra comprising musicians from Chennai and Budapest.
With a career spanning nearly five decades, Ilaiyaraaja has composed over 7,000 songs and scored music for more than 1,000 films.
His influence on the Indian music industry is unparalleled, and he was the first Asian composer to record a symphony with the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London.
Now, his Malaysian fans will finally get to experience his compositions in an orchestral setting, making this concert a landmark event in the country’s music scene.
One of the most unique aspects of “Raaja Rhapsody” is its setlist, curated entirely based on fan input.
Malaysian superfan and concert creative director Ravivarma Vicraman played a pivotal role in handpicking the tracks, ensuring that the lineup reflected the dreams of Ilaiyaraaja’s devoted listeners.
Additionally, an online poll conducted by Pink Creative Agency allowed fans to vote for their favourite tracks, shaping the final setlist.
During the press conference held at TSR Conference Hall in Shah Alam on Feb 10, concert organisers made a rare move – they revealed the entire concert playlist. With such an extensive discography, fans had been speculating about which songs would make the cut.
Now, it’s confirmed that the concert will showcase some of his most iconic compositions from different eras, including beloved hits from the 1980s like “Rasathi Unna” and “Poove Sempoove”, classics from the Rajinikanth-starrer Thalapathy, and unforgettable songs from Kamal Haasan’s “Hey Ram”.
The concert will also feature performances of songs with rich histories, such as “Poovar Senni Mannan” from “Thiruvasagam”, which was originally recorded in Hungary with the Budapest orchestra.
Even tracks from the 2012 film “Neethane En Ponvasantham” will be featured, creating an experience that spans generations of his music.
The grand finale will be an electrifying mashup of Ilaiyaraaja’s all-time greatest dance hits.
Joining Ilaiyaraaja on stage will be a stellar group of playback singers, including Karthik, SPB Charan, Yugendran Vasudevan, and Mathu Balakrishnan, among others.
Beyond being a celebration of Ilaiyaraaja’s illustrious career, the concert will also serve as a tribute to three late industry icons: acclaimed playback singer SP Balasubramaniam, actor Vijayakanth, and director Panju Arunasalam, who played a pivotal role in launching Ilaiyaraaja’s career with the 1976 film “Annakili”.
At the press conference, Ilaiyaraaja expressed his enthusiasm for performing in Malaysia once again.
Having last performed in the country in 2022, he acknowledged the unwavering support of his Malaysian fans, saying: “I have said this many times – no other audience comes close to the love I get from my Malaysian fans.”
His words reinforce the strong bond he shares with his audience here, making this concert all the more meaningful.
With fans traveling from as far as Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, India, Denmark, and Canada, “Raaja Rhapsody” is shaping up to a global gathering of music lovers eager to celebrate the legacy of a maestro whose compositions have stood the test of time.
Tickets can be purchased here.
Raaja Rhapsody – Maestro Live In Concert
Venue: Stadium Hoki Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur
Date/Time: April 5, 2025 at 6.30pm