Isai Gnani Illayaraja was extremly happy that he was honoured by the country with a Padma Bushan. “When I came out of the recording studio, the entire street was clogged with people. I am pleased. I am immensely happy. What else is there to say? Silence is my message.I am extremely delighted. I won’t say that I have received it late. It will come when it has to come.”said the Isaignani in response to his award. Academy award winner A R Rahman, Mridangam expert Umayalpuram Sivaraman also won the Padma Bushan from the Union government.