Raja started his musical journey, first as a profession, then a passion and then as a spiritual tool. The spiritual dimension at which he approaches music now is never going to make any sense or one can never draw a parallel of this to today's materialistic / manupulative market environment. We just have to let him be what he is.
Measuring the current IR on a commercial yardstick is like comparing a Kamaraj with a Chavan, a Kalmadi or A.Raja. Kamarajar was not commercially successful either. But Kamarajar didnt take up politics to be commercially successful. The intent is different, the agenda is different, the purpose is different. The Game is played differently.
Ilayaraja recently said: “I am still in this field because I don’t know music. I still have so many things to pass on to the younger generation.” Sounds like another philosophical rant, right? But there are many ways of looking at this statement. It will hit you depending on what category of fan you are.
I think there are 2 distinct categories of fans here and each can rest in peace with their own choices, as given below. Period.
Adha vittuttu raaja'vukku business/marketing ideas kodukaradhu pozhapatha vela. He never asked for our counsel anyways.
category 1 fans - Fans that think Raja is past his peak - this group can probably reconcile / console themselves to the fact that raja is still learning (as admitted by him :lol: ) and does not know music, while the "other MDs" have already mastered the art of music making. So these friends have to wait for the next big kamal-IR venture or a IR - Sony corporation deal to happen, to be happy with IR. Till then, its not a sin for them to have fun with other MDs. Its good to drift away once in a while, just for the heck of it.
category 2 fans - Fans that think Raja has not finished yet or are mighty content with what they already have - This group does not feel hurt by market forces/realities / statistics or even comparisons with "Other MDs" on this basis. To this group of "selfish" fans, they dont want to expect anything more from their idol. They have their bags full already and it will take years to even completely figure out whatever Raja has given already given so far.