Music composer Ilaiyaraaja conferred with Padma Vibhushan award

New Delhi: Popular music composer Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja was conferred with the Padma Vibhushan award by the President of India Ram Nath Kovind in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Padma Vibhushan is the second highest civilian award given out by the government of India. 

The 74-year old Ilaiyaraaja has composed over 6,000 songs in his career spanning over three decades across multiple languages.He has also composed music forBollywoodf films like 'Paa' and 'Cheeni Kum'. Some of his most popular work from South Indian cinema includes Thalatuthey vaanam in Kaadal Meengal, Poongathave thaazh thiravaai in Nizhalgal, Anthi mazhai in Rajaparvai, Ninaivo oru paravai in Sigappu Rojakkal, Kanmani anbodu in Guna.'

Ilaiyaraaja who is fondly called as Raja Sir, is a National Award winner too. He had started his musical career with the 1976 film 'Annakili'. He is also known to be the only music composer to have made music for more than 1000 films. 

The famous composer was born as Gnanadesikan but then changed his name to Raja. Later during the release of his first venture 'Annakili', his name was changed to Ilaiyaraaja.