Ilayaraja 71st Birthday wishes

Seeing Grouch's announcement, thought I'd start this thread we could all post our thoughts. So here's wishing one of the foremost and staggering geniuses our land has ever produced in any field and without a doubt my favourite composer, all times, all places, a very happy birthday!   

P.S: Thought I'd add that I realise this thread could become a bit platitudinous with FB like replies.But I actually intended this to be more like a platform to express what his music means to everyone individually, perhaps even a wishlist of what we want from him in the future etc   

So cool. Already one post. Repetition, replug  https://ilayaraja.forumms.net/t152p765-anything-about-ir-found-on-the-net-vol-2#16224 Happy birthday to the genius offering a connect from Thiruvalluvar down to Bharathi for Tamil people

KS Chithra wishes Raaja:



And she sings Devanin Kovil as a dedication. THAT'S MY CHECHI!!!

Happy birthday to Maestro Raja and hoping for many more happy and musical birthdays to come.  One more instrumental album would be nice.

DM, Thanks for sharing KSC's message.  What a song she chose to highlight her wishes, wonderful!

Gokul

Birthday namaskaram to Raja!  
 

Happy Birthday Raja Sir....

Sangeetha megam...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIzn6NlaH6s


Pogum padhai thooramae

Vaazhum kalam konjamae

Jeeva sugam pera nadha nadhiyinil nee neendha vaa

idhu dhane Raja..........

IR speaks at a book launch (written by him) combined with his b'day celebrations combined with the maram nattal at Prasad Studios. IR releases a Thiruvembavai based poem collection written by him and reveals the background behind the genesis of the poetry attempt (excellent thought process):



And an interesting nugget on Panchu, Rajini and Kamal to boot

Happy 71st birthday to my most favorite composer ever. Long live the Maestro and I sincerely hope he will continue to bless us with the soul soothing music that only he can create. In terms of wishlist, at the very top is an album on the lines of TiS.

Thanks DM for the video links.

Thank you fring for starting this thread!  I loved the idea of planting a tree for Raja.  However, I am out of town and was not able to plant anything.  I consoled myself with the fact that we had just planted a whole bunch of plants and trees in the past 10 days or so - in a way I had "Pre-planted" for Raja! 

I am not much of a Bday celebrator.  However, for our IR, I break my own "downplaying the day" rules.  This man is someone in tune with nature.  He may call it by any name.  To me this is someone who is in tune with his surroundings.  I am so lucky to be travelling in a place that is lush with greenery and beauty.  This is what I did - I trekked barefoot for over 7 hours in pristine rainforest.  When I got to the top of the mountain I played "Thendral vandhu theendum bodhu enna vannamo" on loop for about an hour.  I felt connected with Nature and felt like I have made the day in a way that is special to me and Raja.

I love the man and his music - may he compose and enthrall us for as long as he can.  BTW, also went on iTunes and bought a bunch of his work (Many that I already have, but feel like I should somehow contribute to him on the big day).  I am sure that for him this is no different from any other day.  He is probably churning out more tunes as I am typing this entry. 

Here is a fantasy: Raja goes into a rainforest and takes a walk - he looks around at the lush greenery, springs, puddles, a flash of mountains glistening between trees, the dappled floor of the forest, rocks, pebbles, treebarks, ferns, moss...  I am positive that he will have a couple of albums ready by the time he is back from such a walk.

Wishes from manadesam:

The Hindu and vegujana makkaL's tribute:



damnit there is no emoticon for Anandha kaNNeer.