I came because Lord Ayyappa called me: Ilayaraja

'Ilayaraja ... There is an award called Hariwarasanam. It is sponsored by the Government of Kerala and the Devaswom Board. You must come, take it ...'

I have come here because of these words from Ayyappa said the music director Ilayaraja. He was talking after receiving the Harivarasana award here at the Sastha Auditorium at Sannidhanam. Hearing this the crowd of devotees gathered there should aloud with chanting.  He added that there is no such place in the world where the devotion and spirit combined. No one can come here until Ayyappa called for. Ilayaraja concluded his speech after he had sung the two Ayyappa devotional songs he had given music to.

Minister Kadakampally Surendran said that Ilayaraja is a wonder to the world of music and he is very fortunate to have been got the opportunity to honour him with the award. Ilayaraja's songs proved that music can guide man to the path of goodness and help us to see the world without borders. The ninth year Harivarasana award was presented by the minister to Ilayaraja.

Raju Abraham MLA, in his presidential address, said that Ilayaraja is such a talented musical genius the country has produced and no one can replace him. Devaswom Principal Secretary KR Jyothilal read the newspaper. Devaswom Board President Adv N Vasu, Members N Vijayakumar, KS Ravi, Anto Antony MP, KU Janesh Kumar MLA, Justice Arijit Passayat, Devaswom Ombudsman Justice PR Raman, Special Commissioner M Manoj, Devaswom Board Commissioner BS Thirumeni Justice Ravi Kumar, IG S Sreejith, District Collector PB Nooh, Sabarimala ADM  NS Umesh, Devsawom Secretary Gayathri Devi were present on the occasion.