Lydian’s New Beginnings marks an important milestone in his musical career. The 20-year-old, who hails from Chennai, has already made a name for himself in the music world
Lydian Nadhaswaram, the young virtuoso pianist who won global acclaim after his victory on CBS’s The World’s Best in 2019, has credited legendary music director Ilaiyaraaja for inspiring him to compose his very first symphony, titled New Beginnings. The announcement of this symphony comes on the heels of Ilaiyaraaja’s historic achievement in becoming the first Indian to present a Western classical symphony, Symphony No. 1 – Valiant, at the Eventim Apollo Theatre in London on March 8.
In a heartfelt video shared on his social media platform X, Lydian expressed his gratitude to his mentor, Ilaiyaraaja, whom he describes as not just a teacher but a guiding force in his musical journey. “My heartfelt wishes to our one and only Maestro Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja uncle for his Symphony No.1 – Valiant,” Lydian posted. “I am deeply grateful for his blessings and encouragement from day one, which have inspired me to compose my first symphony, New Beginnings.”
Lydian revealed that his composition, New Beginnings, has four movements, and it was Ilaiyaraaja’s encouragement that pushed him to explore the complex world of symphonic music. He recalled, “Whenever I go to his studio for music discussions, Raja sir would often speak about symphonies. In fact, he has always encouraged me, saying, ‘You too will do a symphony.’” Lydian added that his symphony’s creation would not have been possible without the Maestro’s guidance and belief in him. He expressed his deep gratitude to Ilaiyaraaja for his constant support, saying, “This is happening only because of his blessings.”
The connection between Lydian and Ilaiyaraaja goes beyond the mentor-student relationship. Lydian, who has been Ilaiyaraaja’s “first and only” student, has learned much more than just technical music skills. He values the deeper lessons imparted by Ilaiyaraaja, who has always emphasized understanding the essence of music. “You must learn it properly and do it. You must get awards and keep it at home,” Ilaiyaraaja had once told him. These words resonated deeply with Lydian and sparked his desire to pursue a symphony, an ambition that led to New Beginnings.
Reflecting on his mentor’s role in his life, Lydian shared an anecdote from two years ago when he had first mentioned symphonies to Ilaiyaraaja. Lydian had admired the music from Ilaiyaraaja’s film Neethane En Ponvasantham and was curious about the symphonic orchestra used in the score. “I asked him, ‘Uncle, which symphony orchestra did you use to do the film?’” Lydian recalled. In response, Ilaiyaraaja had asked, “Why? Are you going to do a symphony, Lydian?” Lydian had humbly dismissed the idea, but Ilaiyaraaja insisted, “You must not say no. You too will do a symphony.”
Ilaiyaraaja’s encouragement motivated Lydian to explore this new dimension of music. “After that conversation, a couple of classes later, I composed a small piece and played it for him,” said Lydian. However, when Ilaiyaraaja listened to it, he told Lydian, “This is not like a symphony, Lydian. This is like a background score. Read what a symphony is. There are lots of rules and regulations for it. It has a form, a structure. Read well about it and do a symphony.”
This guidance helped Lydian correct his approach and dive deeper into understanding the structure of symphonic music. He credits Ilaiyaraaja for inspiring him to correct himself, study further, and properly compose the symphony. “If I have now completed scoring this symphony, it is his blessings,” Lydian remarked.
Lydian’s New Beginnings marks an important milestone in his musical career. The 20-year-old, who hails from Chennai, has already made a name for himself in the music world. Known for his unparalleled skills on the piano and his ability to play up to 14 musical instruments, Lydian’s talent earned him recognition on a global scale after his victory on The World’s Best talent competition. He also made history by becoming the “first and only” student of the iconic Ilaiyaraaja, a relationship that has been instrumental in shaping his musical journey.
In addition to his musical accomplishments, Lydian has also demonstrated a strong passion for learning, driven by Ilaiyaraaja’s teaching. Lydian has repeatedly expressed how the Maestro’s influence has been integral in his understanding of various aspects of music, from composition to orchestration. “He is the right teacher, and that is why he corrected me when I went wrong,” Lydian said, emphasizing the importance of mentorship in his development as an artist.
Lydian’s New Beginnings is a testament to the power of mentorship, guidance, and the unyielding spirit of musical exploration. It is not just a symphony but a representation of a journey—one that was inspired by Ilaiyaraaja’s wisdom and encouragement. As Lydian continues to compose and perform, his symphony stands as a tribute to his mentor, who continues to inspire generations of musicians around the world. The release of New Beginnings is set to mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter in Lydian’s career, and with the blessings of his beloved teacher Ilaiyaraaja, there is no doubt that this is just the beginning of his symphonic journey.
