Bengaluru: Legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja is set to perform a special concert next month to celebrate 50 years of his musical journey, coinciding with the silver jubilee of the Akshaya Patra Foundation.
Titled “Ilaiyaraaja 50: A Legendary Musical Journey”, the concert will take place on January 10, 2026, at NICE Grounds in Madavara, Bengaluru.
The event aims to support “Music for Meals”, an initiative by the Akshaya Patra Foundation that leverages music-led programmes to raise awareness and generate support for providing nutritious meals to schoolchildren.
Marking 25 years of service, the foundation currently serves mid-day meals to around 2.33 million children across 23,978 government and government-aided schools, and is a key implementing partner of the Centre’s PM POSHAN programme.
Speaking at a press conference, Ilaiyaraaja said he immediately agreed to the concert when approached by the foundation:
“The moment they mentioned it, I immediately agreed. It was a spontaneous decision. When it is for a good cause, I have to do it.”
Widely regarded as one of India’s most influential composers, Ilaiyaraaja’s five-decade-long career spans multiple languages and genres. The organisers highlighted that the collaboration beautifully combines cultural expression with social service, emphasizing the role of the arts in supporting national welfare initiatives.
Venu Udugula Sparks Debate Over Razakar Film
Director Venu Udugula, who recently turned producer with the hit film Raju Weds Rambai, is now gearing up for more projects. In a recent interaction with manatelugu.com, Venu shared his views on the film industry, making headlines with his remarks about the movie Razakar.
Venu described Razakar as a propaganda film allegedly pushed forward by the BJP. He stated, “I believe the BJP made Razakar with a political agenda. I do not think the film was made with genuine respect or responsibility toward history.”
His comments sparked widespread debate within film circles. While some agreed with him, others criticized his stance, noting that Razakars did, in fact, commit atrocities against villagers during that period. Notably, Venu admitted he had not actually watched the film, though he expressed issues with certain aspects of it.
Venu has previously faced criticism for films like Virata Parvam, which portrayed Naxalism in a sympathetic light. Known for his leftist/communist ideology, he often voices opposition to films he perceives as pushing political agendas. His recent comments on Razakar are likely to invite further discussion and scrutiny, leaving the audience curious about how he will handle the controversy.
For context, the plot of Razakar revolves around: “In the early days of independence, the people of Telangana, India, work to reclaim their religion and identity in the face of military and political oppression.”