Music maestro Ilaiyaraaja turned 80 on Friday, 2 June, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and top actor Kamal Haasan among others greeting the ‘Isaignani’ on his birthday.
They also greeted ace director Mani Ratnam, who turned 67 on Friday.
Stalin visited Ilaiyaraaja and felicitated him. In a Twitter post, the chief minister paid rich tributes to the music composer, calling him a “revolution for the field of music”.
“He does not string musical instruments; he caresses our hearts,” the chief minister said.
Stalin said his father and the late DMK president M Karunanidhi had deeply appreciated the nuances of Ilaiyaraaja’s music and hailed him as ‘Isaignani,’ which roughly translates to a sage of music.
காலைப் பொழுது இனிதாய் மலர – பயணங்கள் இதமாய் அமைய – மகிழ்ச்சிகள் கொண்டாட்டமாய் மாற – துன்பங்கள் தூசியாய் மறைய – இரவு இனிமையாய்ச் சாய தமிழ்நாட்டின் தேர்வு 'இசைஞானி' இளையராஜா!
அவர் இசைக்கருவிகளை மீட்டுவதில்லை; நம் இதயங்களை வருடுகிறார். அவரே உணர்வாகி நம்முள் உருகுகிறார்.… pic.twitter.com/Os1dE1UJKH
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) June 2, 2023
‘Emporer of world music’
Actor-politician Kamal Haasan took to Twitter to greet his “elder brother,” whom he also described as the “emperor” of the world of music.
The Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder also shared a throwback black-and-white picture of the two involved in a discussion.
திரையிசைச் சகாப்தம் ஒன்று எட்டு தசாப்தங்களைக் கடந்து நிலைத்து மகிழ்வித்துக்கொண்டிருக்கிறது. இ, ளை, ய, ரா, ஜா ஆகிய ஐந்துதான் இந்தியத் திரையிசையின் அபூர்வ ஸ்வரங்கள் என்று சொல்லத்தக்க அளவில் தன் சிம்மாசனத்தை அழுத்தமாக அமைத்துக்கொண்டவர் என் அன்புக்கும் ஆச்சரியத்துக்கும் மிக உரிய… pic.twitter.com/0csPLNnE7P
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) June 2, 2023
Scores of fans took to social media to greet Ilayaraaja.
The man whose music feels like a warm hug! 🤗🤗#HappyBirthdayIlaiyaraaja@ilaiyaraaja pic.twitter.com/EMiD8shZ9q
— Sony Music India (@sonymusicindia) June 2, 2023
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Wises pour in for Mani Ratnam
The chief minister and Haasan, besides many others, also extended their birthday greetings to filmmaker Mani Ratnam.
Stalin said Ratnam was one of the top cinema directors in the country and wanted him to keep making more films that attract global appreciation.
இந்தியாவின் தலைசிறந்த திரை இயக்குநர்களில் ஒருவராக விளங்கும் திரு. மணிரத்னம் அவர்களுக்குப் பிறந்தநாள் வாழ்த்துகளைத் தெரிவித்துக் கொள்கிறேன். உலகம் போற்றும் படைப்புகளைத் தொடர்ந்து படைத்திட வாழ்த்துகிறேன். #ManiRatnam
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) June 2, 2023
The director’s latest work, the two-part Ponniyin Selvan had received both critical acclaim and commercial success.
Haasan said: “If one were to count life by the happiness that they create around them and if age is calculated by the friends around you, my dear #ManiRatnam you are going to be a much older man today!”
“A doyen of Indian Cinema who has touched the hearts of millions through his art and one who transformed dialogues into a lovely visual experience,” Haasan said about his Nayakan director.
Ratnam has constantly pushed the boundaries of cinema unmindful of the scale of challenge by constantly learning.
If one were to count life by the happiness that they create around them and if age is calculated by the friends around you, my dear #ManiRatnam you are going to be a much older man today! A doyen of Indian Cinema who has touched the hearts of millions through his art and one who… pic.twitter.com/FoFz4pqaHh
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) June 2, 2023
“Today you are a master inspiring the next generation of filmmakers through whom your legacy shall reverberate perpetually. From Nayakan to #KH234, our journey together has been personally rewarding and enriching for me. Many more happy returns of the day and more to come my friend!” the actor said.
A visionary filmmaker known for his captivating visuals, poetic storytelling, and unforgettable narratives ✨🕊️
Wishing ace director Mani Ratnam sir a very happy birthday 🎉💝
From Team @StudioGreen2 @kegvraja#HappyBirthdayManiRatnam #HBDManiRatnam #ManiRatnam #StudioGreen… pic.twitter.com/QlzfcPXiaZ
— Studio Green (@StudioGreen2) June 1, 2023
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