Ilayaraja's fans have a huge reason to celebrate this weekend. “Nothing But Wind”, his album of international acclaim, is to be performed live on June 5, 7 p.m., at The Music Academy in Chennai. The show will be inaugurated by the maestro himself and presided over by director Bharathiraja, music composer Uttam Singh and lyricist Vaali. Ace flautist Navin Iyer will take centre stage along with a 50-piece orchestra. The show is being organised by Bhavatharini, Ilayaraja's daughter, in connection with the virtuoso's birthday (June 2).
“Nothing But Wind” is Ilayaraja's second non-film album released in 1988. The album was performed by veteran flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia and a 50-piece orchestra and takes the conceptual approach suggested in the title — that music is a natural phenomenon akin to various air currents (e.g., the wind, the breeze, the tempest, etc.).
Now, for the first time, after two decades of its release, the album is to be performed live by city-based musicians Navin Iyer on the flute, Navneeth Sundar on the keyboard, Aalaap Raju on the bass guitar, Donnan Murray on the guitar, Leon on the keyboard, Geo Raj on the drums along with a 32-piece string section. It will be conducted by Prabhakaran.
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“Nothing But Wind” comprises the tracks ‘Singing Self', ‘Mozart I Love You', ‘Song of Soul', ‘Composer's Breath' and ‘Nothing But Wind'. Tickets for the show, priced at Rs. 250, Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000, are available at Landmark. For more information, call 99949 02173 or 98417 79699.