The Tamil film song was composed in 1980s

Who would have ever thought that the London Olympics, hardly six weeks away, will have a strong India connection? But thanks to music composer Ilayaraja, it will. A Tamil film song composed by him in the early 1980s has made it to the playlist of the grand opening ceremony.

Sources close to the seasoned composer confirmed that the song will be part of the music tracks to be used in the inaugural programme. However, it is unclear if Ilayaraja himself will travel to London for the show. The song, according to reports in the British media, is “ Naanthaan ungappanda ” sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam for the Kamal Haasan-starrer Ram Lakshman (1981).

“It is a matter of surprise that this song, among his lesser-known compositions, should be chosen,” said an associate of Ilayaraja.

Danny Boyle of Slumdog Millionaire fame has reportedly conceptualised the opening ceremony, said to be produced at a cost of £27 million.

A song by M.I.A. (Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam), a British recording artist and song writer of Sri Lankan-Tamil descent, is also on the 90-track playlist.

She is the daughter of A. R. Arulpragasam, also known as “Arular”, one of the founding members of the Eelam Revolutionary Organisation of Students (EROS) in 1975 in England.