KUALA LUMPUR: Beneath a canopy of lights, Ilaiyaraaja graced the stage at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Saturday to roaring applause. The maestro delivered a four-hour performance filled with his iconic Tamil songs that lit up the hearts of thousands of Malaysians.
With a career spanning nearly five decades, the 82-year-old has composed over 7,000 songs and scored music for more than 1,000 films. His first-ever full-orchestra concert in Malaysia was a return to the golden years, a night of nostalgic joy.
Following his debut Symphony Live Performance in London on March 8, the legendary composer made Malaysia his next stop. Titled “Raaja Rhapsody – Maestro Live in Concert”, the event, featuring a 70-piece orchestra, is considered the largest concert he has ever held in the country.
Months before, fans had been given the opportunity to vote for the songs they wanted to hear, building anticipation for the event. FMT Lifestyle attended the concert to witness it all unfold.
Despite rain pouring down just hours before the show began, fans lined up eagerly to enter the stadium, raincoats in hand.
Organised by Pink Creative Agency, the proceedings were not without their flaws. The organisers released a statement addressing several issues raised by ticket holders, such as “delayed entry due to rain”, “chaotic seating experience” and “sound-system issues”.
Nevertheless, for many in the crowd, the performance made up for logistical and technical mishaps. One attendee, Trishaiyini Ramanitaram, told FMT Lifestyle she had travelled all the way from Perak with her father to attend the concert.
“I’m a huge Ilaiyaraaja fan, so that’s what drew me to attend this concert without a second thought. There’s something timeless and soul-stirring about the way he composes,” she shared.
“I was definitely excited to finally witness the legend live with my dad, who was also experiencing his first-ever concert. It felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be in the presence of someone whose music has meant so much to both of us.”
For Trishaiyini, one of the most unforgettable moments was when “Nee Partha Paarvai” was performed. “The arrangement was hauntingly beautiful. It hit differently in a live setting, you could actually feel the emotion in the air.
“But what truly gave me goosebumps was Ilaiyaraaja himself singing ‘Oru Jeevan’. Hearing that live was surreal. It was easily one of the most magical highlights of the night.”
After experiencing the concert, she said: “Despite the hiccups, the music itself made up for everything.”
Indeed, the night offered a captivating mix of old and new, including a special tribute to the late actor Vijaykanth. The score to the film “Chatriyan” was impeccably performed, evoking memories for fans of the actor.
The stellar lineup of playback singers moved the audience with their powerful vocals, with SPB Charan – son of the legendary SP Balasubrahmanyam – honouring his father’s legacy by singing many of SPB’s iconic songs, including “Enna Satham Intha Neram” and “Kaattukuyilu”.
Other singers such as Karthik and Aparna Narayanan also graced the stage.
Each instrument was given its time to shine – whether it was the drum solo for “Megam Kottatum”, the beautiful flute melody from “Sundari Kannaal”, or the a capella and Tamil folk-music performances.
The diversity of the musical arrangements kept the audience engaged throughout with songs like “Hey Ram”, which resonated with even the younger generation.
Throughout, Ilaiyaraaja shared stories behind his works, recounting how some of his songs were composed and recorded within just two hours. He even shared how he first stumbled into music as a kid, which, as he described, was purely “by chance”.
As the night drew to a close, Ilaiyaraaja finished with a beautiful medley of songs. As confetti exploded into the air, he expressed his deep love for his Malaysian fans and bade them a fond farewell, leaving them in thrall despite some bumps in the road.