Ilaiyaraaja's Symphony Leaves London in Awe

Legendary music director Ilaiyaraaja made history as the first Asian film composer to present a Western classical symphony, with "Valiant" debuting at London’s Eventim Apollo Theatre on March 9, 2025. Performed by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra under conductor Mikel Toms, the 45-minute symphony enthralled attendees, blending Western and Indian classical influences across four movements. "It was a surreal experience," said London-based pianist Anirudh Krishna, who attended and shared updates via Instagram.

The first two movements showcased pure Western classical styles, while the third and fourth wove in Indian classical elements, delighting fans like Krishna, who noted the harmonic counterpoints. Despite a no-recording policy, snippets flooded the internet, sparking the usual "decode Ilaiyaraaja" frenzy among devotees. UK-based lecturer Sylvian Patrick Jesudoss, known for dissecting Ilaiyaraaja’s work on X, called it a piece that could take years to unravel due to its tonal shifts. He recounted a violinist’s request to replay the third movement as an encore—a testament to its brilliance.

While "Valiant" avoided film score references as promised, the Second Act surprised fans with orchestral renditions of Ilaiyaraaja classics like "Poove Sempoove" and "Kanne Kalaimaane," alongside a background score from the Malayalam film Guru. Jesudoss teared up during "Poove Sempoove" but cherished Ilaiyaraaja singing "Idhayam Poguthe" over Schubert’s "Unfinished Symphony." Krishna spotted Ilaiyaraaja’s sons, Karthik Raaja and Yuvan Shankar Raaja, and director Balki in the audience.

Fans, some traveling from India, celebrated this milestone. "To hear a symphony by a composer from our country in today’s age is a remarkable achievement," Krishna said. Social media erupted with love for the orchestral take on the 1998 hit "Poove Sempoove," cementing Ilaiyaraaja’s genius across borders and genres.