Maestro Ilaiyaraaja dedicates his Padma Vibhushan to Tamil Nadu and Tamil people

Noted Indian music composer Ilaiyaraaja on Thursday expressed happiness for being conferred the Padma Vibhushan award and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for it.

Ilaiyaraaja said that his name in the list of the recipient of the second highest civilian award indicates that the Central government respects the people of Tamil Nadu.

"The Padma Vibhushan award conferred upon me is an indication of PM Modi led government's respect to Tamil people and Tamil Nadu," he said.

Ilaiyaraaja, 74, is credited with integrating folk and western musical sensibilities into the South Indian musical mainstream. He was conferred with Padma Bhushan by the government in 2010.

A total of 85 people belonging to various disciplines have been named for the Padma Awards in three categories -- Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri -- on the Republic Day eve.

These awards will be conferred by President Ram Nath Kovind at the ceremonial functions which will be held at Rashtrapati Bhawan in March or April.

(With Agencies Inputs)