The quote suggests that achieving excellence in musical composition requires a balance between spontaneous creativity and disciplined learning. It emphasizes that one must study and adhere to the established principles and techniques necessary for crafting high-quality music, while also allowing room for natural inspiration and originality.
At its core, this statement highlights the importance of foundational knowledge and technical skill alongside personal intuition and creative freedom in artistic endeavors. The message can be extrapolated beyond music to any field where mastery is sought after: achieving greatness often involves a thorough understanding of the rules that govern a discipline, combined with innovative thinking and spontaneous creativity. This blend of structure and flexibility allows for both adherence to tradition and innovation, leading to works that are both technically sound and artistically groundbreaking.
Ilaiyaraaja, the source of this quote, is a renowned Indian musician known for his versatile contributions to film music across various languages in India. Born as Gnanathesikan but widely recognized by his stage name Ilaiyaraaja, he has composed thousands of songs and scores throughout his career, earning numerous awards and accolades. His insights into the craft of musical composition reflect a lifetime of experience and dedication to excellence in his art form.
