Ilaiyaraaja's guitarist Chandrasekar, who played for Ilaya Nila Pozhigirthu, passes away

Well-known guitarist Chandrasekar, who has played for many songs of Isaignani Ilaiyraaaja, passed away in Chennai, aged 79. The musician, who had been part of the maestro's troupe for decades, is best known as the guitarist who played the iconic song Ilaya Nila Pozhigirathe from the 1982 film Payanangal Mudivathillai.
In a video message that he shared on his social media handles, Ilaiyaraaja said, "I am saddened after hearing that musician Chandrasekar, who worked with me, and was a favourite of mine, has passed away.He was the brother of Purushothaman, who was with me. We all were musicians who came into film music from the stage. The guitar and synthesiser pieces that he had played in many songs are still in the minds of fans. I pray God that he rests in peace."
Describing Chandrasekar as "a brilliant musician, fantastic guitar player, arranger and producer and a good friend", noted musician Guitar Prasanna paid tribute on his social media, writing, "Chandrasekhar’s guitar playing is immortalized in the song “Illaya Nila” which still remains to be most recognizable guitar based song in Indian film music. Another song that features his beautiful playing is “Padiva thenrale”. He played numerous other songs for IR that featured such intricate guitar parts. In tandem with Sada, Ilaiyaraaja’s other star guitar player, the duo played some of the greatest twin guitar lines we have heard in any music! And with his late brother Purushotham Ilaiyaraaja’s drum chair and rhythm arranger for decades, the family contributed to so much of musical greatness that came out of IR’s baton! His brilliant keyboard programming skills are in display on two of my songs “Raghunatha” and “Theeratha Vilayattu Pillai” from the album “Peaceful” (sic)."