 Thiruvasagam
-- Classical Crossover
 Maestro Ilayaraja's 'Thiruvasagam in Symphony', a musical rendering of the epic Tamil verses, will be released in Chennai June 30, and will be followed up by a global release in the US July 2.
The dream project of 'Tamil Maiyam', an initiative of Fr Jasper Gaspar Raj and his team in Chennai - a musical rendering of Manickavasagar's verses - will finally hit the airwaves from June 30.
 The massive international project, which is estimated to have cost over Rs 70 lakh, looks forward to international support in a bid to at least partially recover the investment.
Ilayaraja's work in the project has been truly inspirational and monumental, according to Fr Jasper and those associated with the work globally.
The Budapest Symphony Orchestra has showered praise on the maestro.
 Another global celebrity who has singled out Ilayaraja's work is Oscar award winner, Stephen Schwartz, America's most celebrated opera play writer, who has written a letter to Fr Jaspar about 'Thiruvaasagam in Symphony':
"Last night, at Sony studios in New York City, I had the pleasure of hearing the almost finished mix of Ilayaraaja's amazing work. It is unlike anything I've ever heard before, a stunning blend of Indian and western music and instruments. I asked Mr Raja if this was something different for him too, and he said he had never done anything like this piece before. I don't know if anyone has. So I believe those of you looking forward to this are in for a great treat.
 The section to which I contributed English words is about twenty minutes long and dovetails back and forth between Mr Raja singing in Tamil and an American singer singing in English, plus there is a large and beautifully produced chorus. Mr Raja's orchestrations are superb, and the recording engineer, Richard King, has done a spectacular job sonically. I felt so very proud to be a small part of this project."
The function in Chennai will be held at the Music Academy, an apt venue.
The songs have been rendered by Ilayaraja and Bhavatharini, his daughter, among others.
R Rangaraj
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