Ilaiyaraaja Mesmerises Audience With His First-ever Kannada Song At Yuva Dasara 2024

Music maestro Ilaiyaraaja is known for leaving an ever-lasting impression on listeners with his music in films, produced in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada cinema. He recently dominated the news headlines for his performance at the famous Yuva Dasara Festival in Mysuru city on October 10. At the event, the veteran composer said he sang his first track in Kannada. According to him, Kannada tracks were a significant part of his journey. Ilaiyaraaja reminisced about the time when he arrived as a keyboard artist in Mysuru in 1974. He remembered that the famous program Yuva Dasara Festival was being held there and a Kannada song penned by Chi Udayashankar was being performed. That was Ilaiyaraaja’s first introduction to the Kannada music.

It was after listening to this track, the music maestro started his journey in the music industry. He had to face certain problems during the initial years of his career. Many used to ask him how he sang in Kannada when he didn’t even know about it. However, the veteran composer proved them wrong. He came up with many versatile compositions that soon became a favourite with the Kannada audience. These songs are Naguva Nayana, Baanu Bhoomiya, Sogasu Sogasu etc.

Before the performance at the Yuva Dasara Festival, the Ilaiyaraaja also won the hearts for addressing the viewers in Kannada.

Ahead of his performance, Ilaiyaraaja received the accolades of his Kannada fans through a video he posted on his social media. In the video, he addresses them in Kannada. The video went viral on social media where he spoke about his invitation to the Mysore Dasara celebrations. In the video, the veteran composer said in Kannada that the Mysore Dussehra program is going on. According to him, Goddess Chamundi has graced this occasion and she is inviting him to Mysore Dussehra. He said that they have not only invited him but also his entire team. “With the blessings of Devi, I hope the program will go well.” He concluded by saying, “I want to see you and you want to see me.”

Mysuru Yuva Dasara 2024 was held at the massive 100-acre venue near Uttanahalli on the outskirts of Mysuru. The Yuva Dasara subcommittee declared that special VIP seating arrangements will be available near the stage for Rs 8,000.