Quotes from Ilaiyaraaja

The challenge for a good musician is to bring out compositions that seem fresh to the listener, even if the listener has heard the song or the composition before.

Government should take necessary steps to add music into school syllabus and impart knowledge to the students.

Anyone who holds a pen these days thinks he or she is a poet.

Isn't composing music akin to film direction?

Western classical music is participative. Look at the number of people who are involved in a symphony.

Right from the 17th century, composers who have taken up music as their means of livelihood went through a hard time financially. They were paid only for commissioned works and public performances. And, when their music became famous, orchestras in other cities and countries would pay a small amount to copy the music.

Till 2010, there was one national award for Best Music Direction. I have received it thrice - for 'Sagara Sangamam,' 'Sindhu Bhairavi,' and 'Rudraveena.'

A director should concentrate on his storyline and his characters.

For me, my music is part of me, and which is why it seems second nature, and my compositions are instinctive.

Music is nothing but sound, and there is no place for value judgement among various sounds.

Music is the only medium by which everyone is connected in the world.

Music happens. It cannot be made.