Ilayaraja Granted Government Land To Start Music Academy

Kerela government has presented prestigious 'Nishagandhi Puraskaram' award to music maestro Ilayaraja on January 21. The award, which comprised of Rs. 1,50,000, a citation and a statuette, has been presented to him for his contribution to the music industry. With that the government has also granted five acres of land to the renowned music composer in order to start a music academy.

The chief secretary has been ordered to identify the land for the purpose. Expressing his excitement, Ilayaraja said that the purpose of academy “is to produce hundreds of Ilaiyarajas”. The award was presented by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

State Tourism minister A.P. Anilkumar and Sitarist Anoushka Shankar were amongst other celebs present at the ceremony. The event was organised by State Tourism department. Ilayaraja is popular for his different style of music in which he mixes western elements into folk music in order to create a new genre. 

Source: thenewsminute.com