There are people we admire, and then there are people who quietly shape who we become. For me, that person has always been Ilaiyaraaja.
His music was not just something playing in the background during my childhood. It carried my emotions. When I felt happy, confused, lonely, or reflective, his compositions seemed to understand what I could not express in words. If I have truly admired anyone in my life, it has been him.
For years, I wanted to attend his concert in person. But with work, education, and responsibilities, it never worked out. Still, somewhere inside, I kept hoping that one day he would perform in Bangalore and I would be there.
At one point, I even spoke seriously to a friend of mine who organizes large-scale events. I asked him why we should not work on bringing Ilaiyaraaja to Bangalore ourselves. That was not a joke. That was how deeply I wanted to witness him live.
Then one day, I came across a post about Ilaiyaraaja 50 happening in Bangalore. Tickets were not live yet. I immediately contacted the event agency and kept following up almost every day, asking when bookings would open. I did not want to miss this opportunity.
One afternoon around 3:30 PM, I received a message saying tickets would go live at 4 PM. I was ready. The moment they opened, I booked mine. I chose a VVIP ticket so I could watch him from as close as possible. I wanted to experience the music, not just hear it.
For nearly a month, I carried that anticipation. On the day of the concert, I reached the venue an hour early. Sitting there, looking at the stage, I felt a strange mix of excitement and gratitude.
When he finally appeared and began conducting, it felt surreal. Watching him compose, guide the orchestra, and perform live was not just entertainment. It felt personal. It felt like a part of my childhood standing right in front of me.
Even now, when I think about that evening, I smile. I may attend another concert in the future, but the first time is always different. It carries the weight of waiting, the joy of fulfilment, and the quiet satisfaction of seeing something you longed for finally become real.
