D. Imman

D. Imman trained under Ilaiyaraaja before striking out on his own, and you can hear that classical grounding in how carefully his melodies are built, even in his biggest mass hits. He's picked up National Film Awards for Best Music Direction twice, for Raja Rani and Vidhaarthi. Rural folk influences, orchestral swells, the occasional full-blown mass anthem — it's all in here.