R. Gnanathesikan, known as
Ilaiyaraaja, is an Indian film composer, conductor-arranger, singer and lyricist who works in the Indian film industry, predominantly in Tamil cinema in addition to Telugu cinema. Widely regarded as one of the greatest Indian music composers, he is often credited for introducing Western musical sensibilities in the South Indian film musical mainstream. He has composed more than 7,000 songs, provided film scores for more than 1,400 movies and performed in more than 20,000 concerts. Ilaiyaraaja is nicknamed "Isaignani" and is often referred to as "Maestro", by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London, amongst others.