Ilaiyaraaja Tickets

Ilaiyaraaja taught himself the harmonium in a village in Tamil Nadu's Theni district and went on to score more than a thousand films, earning the nickname "Isaignani," or musical genius.

Born Gnanathesikan, he became known for blending Tamil folk melodies with Western classical orchestration, a combination that reshaped Indian film music from his debut in 1976.

In 2025 he became the first Indian and Asian film composer to compose, record, and perform a full Western classical symphony live in London.

Why Buy Ilaiyaraaja Tickets on SeatPick?

SeatPick makes it simple to find the tickets you want at a price that works for you.

• Compare listings from several ticket sites on one page
• Every seller is vetted before their tickets appear
• All purchases are covered by a 100% ticket guarantee
• Buy as many tickets as you need, with no purchase limit

What to Expect from an Ilaiyaraaja Concert?

A night with Ilaiyaraaja is built around a live orchestra, with string sections and choirs bringing his film melodies to life in ways the original soundtracks rarely allowed.

His first major live performance in Chennai in 2005 ran for four hours, and the scale of his productions has stayed ambitious ever since.

Audiences often sing along to film songs they've known for decades, with Tamil lyrics shared across generations in the room.

When he performs a symphonic program, the evening turns more formal and listening-focused, closer to an orchestral recital than a pop gig.

Ilaiyaraaja's Biography

Ilaiyaraaja was born in June 1943 in Pannaipuram, Theni district, Tamil Nadu, and learned folk songs from his mother before teaching himself the harmonium.

He began as a session guitarist and assistant music director in the Tamil film industry, then made his debut as a composer with the film Annakili in 1976.

Over the following decades he composed for more than 1,000 films in nine languages, was among the first Indian composers to record film music with computers, and won five National Film Awards.

He received the Padma Bhushan in 2010 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2018, India's third- and second-highest civilian honors, and has been a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha, India's upper house, since July 2022.

In 2006 he composed Thiruvasagam in Symphony, widely described as the first Indian oratorio, performed with the Budapest Symphony Orchestra.

Ilaiyaraaja's Albums & Projects

His body of work is dominated by film scores and songs, with credits including Annakili, Sindhu Bhairavi, and Saagara Sangamam across multiple languages.

Beyond cinema, Thiruvasagam in Symphony adapted ancient Tamil devotional verse into an orchestral setting.

Symphony No. 1, Valiant, was written in 34 days, recorded with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and premiered in London.

Most Popular Ilaiyaraaja Songs and Setlist Selections

Concert programs lean on decades of Tamil film hits, with classics from the 1970s and 1980s often receiving the loudest sing-alongs.

When he performs symphonic material, the center of the evening is Valiant, presented in full by a live orchestra.

Previous Ilaiyaraaja Tours and Festival Appearances

Valiant had its live debut at London's Eventim Apollo in March 2025, followed by a performance at Dubai Opera in October 2025.

He has also performed on the Jubilee Stage at Expo 2020 Dubai, and in 2012 played a Chennai concert with the Hungarian National Philharmonic.

Composers like A.R. Rahman, who played keyboards in his ensemble as a young musician, trace part of their roots to the orchestras he led.

Key Facts about Ilaiyaraaja

• Born Gnanathesikan in June 1943 in Pannaipuram, Tamil Nadu
• Made his composing debut with Annakili in 1976
• Won five National Film Awards, the Padma Bhushan (2010), and the Padma Vibhushan (2018)
• Composed Thiruvasagam in Symphony, considered the first Indian oratorio
• His orchestral programs differ from his film-song evenings, so the experience at his events depends heavily on which format is on the bill