Discography
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
Upcoming projects The below list gives the upcoming/announced films composed by Ilaiyaraaja.
Year Film Cast Director Language StatusNotes2027 RBalki-IRR. BalkiTamilPre-Production 8 Songs https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2026/Jun/19/r-balki-to-make-his-entry-to-tamil-cinema-with-ilaiyaraajas-blast-music2027 Kadavul Thandha Parisu Ramarajan KasimayanTamilPre-Production https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2026/Sep/07/ilaiyaraaja-and-ramarajan-reunite-for-their-25th-film-together2027 ManjanathiMari SelvarajTamilPre-Production2026Dhasal Lalit Prabhakar as Namdeo Dhasal Varuna Madanlal Rana MarathiPost productionhttps://www.loksatta.com/manoranjan/marathi-cinema/lalit-prabhakar-namdeo-dhasal-biopic-movie-release-date-cast-update-ads-02-5837214/Thattuvandi Master Raghavan, Vijayabhaskar VijayabhaskarTamilPost productionKadavulin Veetirkku Sellum Vazhi Nassar Dhanapal PadmanabhanTamilShooting in progreehttps://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Jun/02/ilaiyaraaja-and-nasser-unite-for-kadavulin-veetirkku-sellum-vazhiPocket NovelVijay Sethupathi, Raj B. Shetty, Kishore, Malavika MohananThiagarajan KumararajaTamilFilmingA Beautiful BreakupThaksh, MatyldaAjithvasan UgginaEnglishPost-Production2024Gift SandyAlphonse PuthrenTamil MalayalamDelayed Arisi Ra Mutharasan, Samuthirakani S A VijaykumarTamil Filming TBAThupparivaalan 2Vishal VishalTamilFilming Kadhal Sei K Ganeshan Tamil Audio releasedVenjam Theerthaayadaa Susi Ganesan Tamil AnnouncedMunpadhivuGM Durai Pandian TamilFilming Chiranjeevi Ponniyin Selvan Ajay Pratheeb TamilAnnouncedWeb Series Delayed projects 2020 Ammayi Vinay Rai, Varalaxmi G.Shankar Tamil Delayed 2016 Rajathandhiram 2 Veera Senthil Veerasamy Tamil Delayed 2015 Porkalathil Oru Poo K. Ganeshan Tamil Music released 2014 Raja Rajanin Porvaal Snehan R.S. Amudeshver Tamil Delayed/Songs recorded 2013 Naadi Thudikkuthadi Selva Tamil Music released 2012 Mayamohitha Chandran Kunchacko Boban Malayalam Delayed project 2011 Thaandavakone Subbu Sujatha Tamil Music released 2011 Padithurai Tamil Delayed project 2009 SRK Manoj Joshi, Vinay Pathak Ajoy Varma Hindi UnreleasedRemake of the Malayalam film Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala
Albums (instrumental, non-film)
Year Album Notes 1992 Honnina Therinali First devotional album of Ilaiyaraaja in Kannada 1992 Geetha Vazhipaadu First devotional album of Ilaiyaraaja in Tamil, also written by him, with 9 songs on the major Hindu deities 1981-82Geethanjali Devotional album on the major Hindu deities, written by Ilaiyaraaja and Vaali, with 9 songs 1986 How to Name It? A crossover album fusing the sensibilities of Western classical music's Baroque music style, mastered by Johann Sebastian Bach and Carnatic classical music's raga virtuosity, mastered by Tyagaraja, into a collection of 10 mesmeric tracks 1988 Nothing but Wind A crossover album featuring the famed Hindustani flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia playing the flute to Ilaiyaraaja's compositions combining the finer sensibilities of the Classical period of Western classical music mastered by Mozart and Indian folk, Hindustani, Carnatic and light music for some meditative, playful, reflective tracks 1992 Vedic Chanting Produced by Ilaiyaraaja with selected hymns from the Rig Veda and Purusha Sukta 1992 The Secret of Ramayana Select verses from Valmiki and Kamban's Ramayana tuned and produced by Ilaiyaraaja, in addition to verses from the Vedas and Upanishads 1993 Symphonic Work in 5 movements with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Conducted by John Scott. Recorded by Tony Faulkner at the Walthomstow Town Hall, London in June 1993. Produced by Mike Townend.1994 Ilaiyaraaja's Classicals on the Mandolin Carnatic classical music album with four krithis and a varnam, all written and composed by Ilaiyaraaja, including one Sanskrit krithi in a raga discovered by Ilaiyaraaja himself, Raajalahiri, with a forward speech by the Carnatic music legend Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, played on the Mandolin by the late Mandolin legend, U. Srinivas. 1995 RAID-Music for dance production of Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Co., London Based on the Indian game of kabaddi 1995 India 24 Hours Documentary on India, filmed by 18 famed photojournalists, who selected a spot each across the length and breadth of India, and filmed the passions and dreams of Indians across 100 hours. The two-hour documentary has a musical score by Ilaiyaraaja. 2000 Raajavin Ramanamalai First devotional album on Ramana Maharishi, also written by Ilaiyaraaja, with 10 songs 2002 Amma Paamaalai Devotional album on the goddess Parvathi 2005 Thiruvasagam Symphonic oratorio on Manickavasagar's Thiruvasagam, a crossover album that seeks to blend Thiruvasagam's bhakti with the finer elements of Western classical music's symphonic movements. Conducted by Laszlo Kovacs, performed by the Budapest Symphony Orchestra and recorded in Budapest. 2006 Guru Ramana Geetam Second devotional album on Ramana Maharishi, with two krithis, one in Sanskrit and dedicated to Ramanar's mother, also written by Ilaiyaraaja, among 10 songs 2007 The Music Messiah Collection of background scores from his landmark score for the Malayalam film Guru 2007 Sri Ramana Naadha Amudham Third album on Ramana Maharishi, with 10 songs, with 6 songs written by Vaali (poet) and 4 songs written by Ilaiyaraaja, and composed by the veteran composer M.S. Viswanathan. 2008 Manikantan Geet Mala Devotional album on Swami Ayyappa, in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam 2009 Annamalai Ramanaandi Devotional album on Ramana Maharishi. Songs written by Muruganaar and Sadhu Om. Rendered by Ramananjali group led by Sulochana Natarajan and Ilaiyaraaja. 2009 Namratha Ke Sagar Single song, composed by Ilaiyaraaja for a bhajan written by Mahatma Gandhi, sung by Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty and recited on screen by Amitabh Bachchan 2010 Ramana Saranam Fourth devotional album on Ramana Maharishi, with a krithi in Telugu among 10 songs, all written and composed by Ilaiyaraaja 2010 Baba Pugazh Maalai Devotional album on Shirdi Sai Baba 2011 Akkah Short film in Kannada on the Kannada poet-saint Akka Mahadevi with songs rendered by Bombay Jayashri 2013 Ramana Aaram Fifth devotional album (Volume 1 & Volume 2) on Ramana Maharishi, also written by Ilaiyaraaja, with 16 songs 2015 Swappnam Classical album composed for a dance drama on Lord Shiva choreographed by dancer Krithika Subramaniam, with 10 songs on the CD, collected from Thiruvasagam, Thevaram, Nandanar Charitham, Adi Sankara's Ardhanarishwara Ashtakam among other devotional hymns dedicated to Shiva. Sudha Raghunathan, T. V. Gopalakrishnan, Rajhesh Vaidhya, Abhishek Raghuram, Bharath Sundar, composer Sharreth, A. K. Palanivel, Palaghat Sreeram, Embar Kannan were among the musicians who were part of the project. 2016 Thaarai Thappattai (Original Background Score) Collection of background scores from his National Award-winning score for his 1000th milestone film Tharai Thappattai. Contains 19 songs.2017 Raaja's Ramanamalai Sixth devotional album (new 2017 album) on Ramana Maharishi, brought by Sri Thenandal Films, also written by Ilaiyaraaja, with 10 songs2020 Bharath Bhoomi Tribute to COVID-19 warriors (Hindi & Tamil)2024Divya PasuramsSeventh devotional album, Eight pasurams have been chosen for the album from the 4,000 verses of the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham, written by the 12 Alwars.
Television 1991 Penn 2008 Namma Kudumbam 2008 Thekkathi Ponnu
Books Sangeethakkanavukal Gyanaganga Yaarukku Yaar Ezhudhuvadhu Paal Nilaa Paadhai Enaku Ethuvo Unakum Athuve
Ad jingles Hindustan Coca-Cola collaborated with Ilaiyaraaja for its ad jingles. This is the first time Raja has done a commercial jingle.
Country Delight collaborated with Ilaiyaraaja for an ad.
Idea Cellular (used "Naguva nayana" Kannada song from Pallavi Anupallavi)"Indian Ad Divas" . 2015-07-09 Malabar Gold and Diamonds"Malabar Gold to have 500 stores by 2015". 2010-10-19"Ilaiyaraja ready for concert in Madurai if he gets sponsors". 2012-09-10"Malabar Gold to go pan-India in 2 years. 2013-05-02
Many of Ilaiyaraaja's songs were used as jingles in advertisements. Filmmaker R Balki has used them in many of his ads either as a musical note or a jingle composed to the same tune." jingles using Raja's tunes!". 2009-12-05
Onscreen appearances Year Movie title Notes 1980 NizhalgalSinger in the song "Madai Thiranthu"1985 Dharmapathini Guest appearance in the song "Naan Thedum1986 Saadhanai Guest appearance in the song "O Vanambadi"1989 Pudhu Pudhu ArthangalGuest appearance in the song "Kalyanamaalai"1989 KaragattakaranGuest appearance in the title song "Paattaalae Buddhi"1991 Kumbakarai ThangaiahGuest appearance in the song "Ennai Oruvan Paada Chonnaan"1992 Villu PattukaranGuest appearance in the temple donation screen between 11:50 and 14:501998 Kannathal Guest appearance in the song "Amman Pugazhai"2009 Azhagar Malai Guest appearance in the song "Ulagam Ippo"2013 Naadi Thudikkudhadi Guest appearance in the song "Kadhale Illaadha Desam"
Reused tracks Remake films Most are Telugu remakes of Tamil films. Bhadrakali (1977) from Bhadrakali (1976) Vayasu Pilichindi (1978) from Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu (1978) Kotha Jeevithalu (1981) from Puthiya Vaarpugal (1979) Pasidi Moggalu (1980) from Uthiripookkal (1979) Veerabhadrudu (1984) from Kozhi Koovuthu (1982) Kala Rudrudu (1985) from Komberi Mookan (1984) Mangalya Bandham (1985) from Naan Paadum Paadal (1984) Manchi Manasulu (1986) from Vaidehi Kathirunthal (1984) Aradhana (1987) from Kadalora Kavithaigal (1986) Asthulu Anthasthulu (1988) from Muthal Vasantham (1986) Unnal Mudiyum Thambi (1988; Tamil) from Rudraveena (1988; Telugu) (6 songs) Menamama (1988) from Kanni Rasi (1985) Mr. Bharath (1989) from Mr. Bharath (1986) Idem Pellam Baboi (1990) from Manamagale Vaa (1988) Guru Sishyulu (1990) from Guru Sishyan (1988) (4 songs reused) Chanti (1992) from Chinna Thambi (1991) Chinarayudu (1992) from Chinna Gounder (1992) Moratodu Naa Mogudu (1992) from En Rasavin Manasile (1991) Amma Koduku (1993) from Senthamizh Paattu (1992) Sathyavan (1994) from April 1 Vidudala (1991) Namma Preethiya Ramu (2003; Kannada) from Kasi (2001) (4 tunes reused)
Other films Apart from remake films, Ilaiyaraaja has reused the following tracks: