Maestro Illaiyaraaja concert to go on as scheduled

Renowned Indian film music composer, Illaiyaraaja, will perform as scheduled at the concert, King of Kings Maestro Illaiyaraaja Live in KL 2013, at Merdeka Stadium here on Dec 28.

Group Chief Executive Officer of My Events International, Shahul Hameed Dawood, told a media conference here today that the public should not make any speculation on the concert.

The media conference was called after news broke that the maestro was admitted to the Apollo Hospital, Chennai, India today for a heart ailment.

"He has been attended by his personal physicians and a panel of cardiologist who later certified that the heart ailment is minor and well under control.

"The maestro is recuperating and expected to arrive here on Dec 27 for the concert," he added.

Also present at the media conference was the maestro's youngest son, Yuvan Shankar Raja, also a well known music director and composer.

During the media conference, Shahul Hameed called the maestro and put the conversation on loud speaker so that members of the media could listen to the conversation.

In the telephone conversation, the maestro said that he was eager to perform in Malaysia and that his fans should not worry about his health.

Shahul Hameed expects about 20,000 fans to be at the concert and that more than 85% of the tickets for this Saturday's concert has been sold.

The maestro will perform with a 70-member orchestra, flown from India exclusively for the concert.

Illaiyaraaja has composed over 4,500 songs and provided film scores for more than 950 films spanning more than 30 years.