Maestro ilaiyaraaja news & titbits

[KV]

Ramki, here's another one from my side:

One of the stand-out features of your music has been your usage of the electric bass guitar, which, quite possibly, no other Indian composer appears to have used so extensively, in so many varied forms and styles (featuring diverse techniques like tapping, plucking, sliding, etc). The bass has made appearance in almost all genres of songs you’ve composed, be it folk or classical or rock or jazz or pop, which I think is very unique to Raaja the composer. Fans like me yearn to learn more about this aspect in your music.
a) Firstly, the idea of incorporating the electric bass in your music - can you share some insights on the genesis of this idea? What/who inspired you in this regard?
a) Folk songs in particular could make an interesting case study on your usage of instruments like guitars and bass (that are completely alien to the genre) without any loss in authenticity. On a very high level, can you share your approach and perspective on composing bass lines?
c) Playing the bass lines on keyboard versus playing it on electric bass guitar - is it possible to produce on the keyboard/synthesizer, the impact and effect of the various techniques that the electric bass allows?