When celebrities have a fallout, the topic is widely discussed by fans until the next one pops up. One such famous controversy that broke the hearts of several Tamil cinema music fans was the one between musician Ilaiyaraaja and singer SP Balasubrahmanyam in 2017.
Almost two years later, to the delight of fans, it now appears as if the two have mended their relationship. Photos of the two hugging and welcoming each other at a studio are now being shared and circulated on the internet.
The singer will be a part of 'Isai Celebrates Isai', a four hour long live concert in Chennai by Ilaiyaraaja in association with Mercuri, right in time for his 76th birthday celebrations on June 2.
It was earlier announced that the concert will see the reunion of Ilaiyaraaja, SPB and Yesudas after a very long time. The live concert also has singers Mano, Bombay Jayashri and Usha Uthup in the line-up of artistes.
The issue broke when Ilaiyaraaja slapped a legal notice on SPB who was in the middle of his SPB50’s US leg of the concert tour. Soon, the singer put up a statement that he would complete the rest of his tour without Ilaiyaraaja’s songs.
“My Son designed this world tour and we kickstarted this SPB50 conncert tour in August in Toronto, then we performed in Russia, Srilanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai and did lots of shows in India too. I did not get any feelers from Shri. Raja's office at that time. I dont know why now when we started our US tour. As I said earlier, I am ignorant of the law. If it is a law, so be it and I obey it. In these circumstances, our troupe cannot perform Isaijnani's compositions from today. But the show should happen.By God's grace I have sung lots of other composer's songs too which we will present. Hope you all will bless our concerts as usual. I am always grateful for your love and affection,” he wrote on his Facebook post.
In November 2018, almost a year later, Ilaiyaraaja explained in a video statement, “Music artistes, this is a new announcement. For those who wish to sing my songs without my permission, it is only right that you take my permission and follow due procedures. Failure to do so is illegal. Those who sing and provide accompaniments to my songs without my permission need to realise that it is wrong. I would like to inform that if you do that, action will be taken.”
'Isai Celebrates Isai' will be held at EVP Film City in Chennai with tickets priced between Rs 499 and Rs 10,000.