Ilaiyaraaja is an iconic Indian film composer, singer, and lyricist. Universally revered as "Isaignani" (The Musical Maestro), he is credited with revolutionizing South Indian film music by seamlessly fusing traditional Indian folk and classical Carnatic music with rich Western symphonic orchestrations. Beyond the National Film Awards, he has also received India's highest national cultural and civilian honors: Padma Vibushan in 2018 and Padma Bhushan in 2010.