Ilaiyaraja recounts moments of ‘Moondram Pirai’

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Music composer Ilayaraaja remembers Sridevi, after the veteran actor passed away on February 24, 2018.

Updated - July 13, 2026 12:31 pm IST

Kamal Haasan and Sridevi in Moondram Pirai.

I offer my deepest condolences. I’ve composed music for a lot of her movies. Despite this, I did not have the opportunity to interact with her a lot.

However one unforgettable incident was working with Sridevi and Kamal Haasan while composing the music for Moondram Pirai. She and Kamal Haasan came to my studio as they had to speak a few words in a song we were recording. Even though I’ve known Sridevi her from the time she was a child artist, it was amazing to see her talent and how she and Kamal learnt the nuances from Balu Mahendra and delivered their lines.

I used to work as an instrumentalist with G.K. Venkatesh and during breaks in our recording sessions, we used to go to the sets nearby and see the shooting happening. At the Vijaya 6 studio one day, I remember seeing her essay one of the roles in the movie Lava Kusha.

Anytime we would go near the sets, technicians and everyone else there would be full of praise for her, even as a child artist. She was extremely talented and took on any character given.

Balachander, Balu Mahendra and several directors have brought out the best in her,and this was possible because even she was an outstanding actor”

- Music composer Ilayaraaja, in a video message

(Translated by S. Poorvaja)

Published - February 25, 2018 03:58 pm IST

Tamil cinema / Hindi cinema

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