Music maestro Ilaiyaraaja nominated to Rajya Sabha, critics link it to Modi-praising

Shortly after music maestro Ilaiyaraaja was nominated to the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday evening, it drew both bouquets and brickbats.

The musician, whose magical numbers have been an inseparable part of lives of people in Tamil Nadu since the mid-1970s, is one of the most adored personalities in the State. However, ever since he penned a foreword for a book praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April this year, he has been criticised by the non-right wing ideologues.

In the foreword for the book ‘Ambedkar & Modi: Reformer’s Ideas, Performer’s Implementation’, he had compared Modi with B.R. Ambedkar drawing similarities saying they witnessed poverty and stifling social structures from close quarters and worked to dismantle them. “Both dreamt big for India, but both are also practical men who believe in action rather than mere thought exercise,” he had said.

On Wednesday, while a section hailed his nomination to the Rajya Sabha, another section sought to link it to his foreword claiming it was a reward for his Modi-praising.

Modi, in a tweet, noted that the creative genius of Ilaiyaraaja has enthralled people across generations. “His works beautifully reflect many emotions. What is equally inpsiring is his life journey – he rose from a humble background and achieved so much. Glad that he has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha,” he said.

The musician had started his career on Communist platforms with his elder brother Pavalar Varadarajar, who was once hailed by Kerala Chief Minister EMS Namboodiripad for campaigning in the Devikulam by-elections and helping the CPI win there in the 1950s.

Spiritually-inclined, Ilaiayaraaja has otherwise remained politically aloof for the past few decades. His brother Gangai Amaran, also a music director, had joined the BJP a few years ago and had defended Ilaiyaraaja’s foreword insisting he will not withdraw it.