The musician who stunned AR Rahman

Viji Manuel is a prolific keyboard player and a long-time associate of Maestro Ilaiyaraja. He has played keyboard for a number of live concerts for Raja. Due to deteriorating health conditions, he was bed-ridden for the  past five to six years and was no longer active in the music arena. All of a sudden, Viji appeared in AR Rahman’s Panchathan Studio last week to the surprise of everyone.

“Uncle Viji Manuel was my co-musician when I played sessions with Dr. IIlayaraja 28 years ago… Being bed-ridden for the past 5 years or so, doctors lost faith that he would be back on his feet actively, again. But he proved them wrong and bounced back… He dropped in at our Panchathan studio last week to say hello, played a bit of jazz and stunned us all. The power of prayer and a strong resolute mind never fails to amaze!,” posted AR Rahman on his official Facebook page.