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The 2012 Olympics is starting on July 27th at the London Olympics Stadium. With another 15 days to go, the mega games event will commence with an extravagant opening ceremony, directed by acclaimed movie director Danny Boyle.

Reports suggest that the opening ceremony will commemorate a greener Britain and showcase scenes from Britain’s country side. The event, called Isles of Wonder, will begin by ringing the world’s largest, harmonically, tuned, bell and continue with other performances. These performances are supposed to be accompanied by a playlist of about 90 songs approximately.

The fact that is most surprising is the inclusion of two sound tracks composed by Indian musicians – Illayaraja and A.R. Rahman – to commemorate Britain.

Have you listened to the song Naanthaan Ungappanda? If you haven’t, let us tell you that it is a Tamil song composed by Illayaraja for the film Ram Laxman and sung by S.P. Balasubramanyam. The article “Will an Ilayaraja song open London Olympics?” in Churumuri showcases a video of this song that features Kamal Hassan. To be more specific, Naanthaan Ungappanda is part of the Tigerstyle playlist at the Olympics. As a matter of fact, the legendary Illayaraja is himself surprised at the inclusion of this song since he believes that this is not one of his popular or best compositions.

This feeling is also shared by most of Illayaraja fans who believe that Bollywood’s list of eternal hits will remain incomplete without Aye Zindagi Gale Lagaale (from the movie Sadma) and many more. For Kannadigas, the name Illayaraja, invokes melodies such as Jotheyali, Santhoshakke, Naguendhidhe, Naguva Nayana, and many such chartbusters.

Shenbaga Raman – an avid Illayaraja fan – cannot stop counting his favorite Tamil songs

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composed by the music Mozart. He cannot recollect Illayaraja’s Naanthaan Ungappanda immediately, but the name Illayaraja instantly triggers popular songs such as Janani Janani, Idhu Oru Ponmazhai Pozhudu, Idhu Oru Ponmazhai Pozhudu, Raja Raja Sozhan Naan, Poove Sempoove, Edheodho Ennam Valarthen, Mandram Vandha Thendralukku, and many more!!

If Naanthaan Ungappanda is a surprise selection for Illayaraja and his fans, we wonder whether the Punjabi community of Britain is as surprised that A.R. Rehman (from Chennai) is composing a Punjabi Bhangra that reflects their culture!!

So, if you are a die-hard Illayraja fan, you ought to watch the opening ceremony and understand how Danny Boyle plans to use Naanthaan Ungappanda to depict the British countryside!! What say?