The Isaignani Comes to the Palais: Ilaiyaraaja in Melbourne

The Palais Theatre has hosted plenty of legends, but not many who scored 1,500 films before deciding to pop over to St Kilda. Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, the Isaignani himself, plays the Palais on Saturday 19 September 2026, and he is not coming alone: S.P. Charan, Haricharan, Shwetha Menon and Gangai Amaran are on the bill too. For anyone who grew up on South Indian film music, this is the big one.

When, where and how to get in

The facts, up top:

• Who: Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with S.P. Charan, Haricharan, Shwetha Menon, Gangai Amaran and more.
• Where: Palais Theatre, Lower Esplanade, St Kilda.
• When: Saturday 19 September 2026. Doors 4pm, show from 5pm, finishing around 9:30pm.
• Tickets: through Ticketmaster.

Who is Ilaiyaraaja

For the uninitiated: Ilaiyaraaja, the Isaignani, is one of the most important composers India has ever produced. He has written more than 7,000 songs and scored over 1,500 films, and he holds honours up to the Padma Vibhushan, among the country's highest. Across the 1970s and 1980s he rewrote what South Indian film music could be, marrying Tamil folk and melody to full Western orchestration. A young A.R. Rahman came up through his orchestra. If that name means something to you, this one means more.

The night itself

This is a proper seated theatre show at the Palais, not a festival. Doors are at 4pm, the music starts at 5pm and runs to around 9:30pm, so it is a full evening rather than a quick set. Alongside Ilaiyaraaja, the bill features S.P. Charan, Haricharan, Shwetha Menon and Gangai Amaran, with more guests billed.

Worth knowing on the practical side: the venue is well set up for access, with companion cards accepted, guide dogs welcome and a hearing loop available, and Lounge Rows A to D are strictly seated, with no standing.

Getting a ticket

Tickets are through Ticketmaster, presented by Live Nation, with a limit of 30 per customer. If you miss the main allocation, verified resale tickets may come up on Ticketmaster later (a handling fee applies). He plays Sydney's Norwest Convention Centre the following Saturday if the Melbourne date does not suit, and there is more on around Melbourne or further afield.

Both Australian dates

The Isaignani, in a heritage theatre by the sea, playing the songs that raised a couple of generations. Bring the family, and maybe a spare tissue for the person next to you. See you at the Palais.