Heavy Rotation: A. R. Rahman (Part VII)

Ever since OK Jaanu came out last week, I have been revisiting A. R. Rahman's music and I can't help but fall in love with it all over again! Here's wishing the iconic Isai Puyal (and his son A. R. Ameen) a Happy Birthday! #ARR50

Kadhal Rojave (Roja), En Kadhale, Mettuppodu Mettuppodu, Naan Paadum Sandham (Duet), Pennalla Pennalla (Uzhavan), Misa Misalade (Gangmaster), Thoda Thoda Malarndhadhenna (Indira), Minnalae (May Maadham), Thanga Thamarai (Minsara Kanavu), Kadhalenum Thervezhudhi (Kadhalar Dhinam), Suthi Suthi (Padayappa), Azhagana Ratchashiyae (Mudhalvan), Sakkarai (New), Balleilakka (Sivaji: The Boss) - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam's voice is just beyond magical!

Chinna Chinna Mazhai Thuligal, En Swasa Kaatre (En Swasa Kaatre), Thandiya (Kadhalar Dhinam), Tu Hi Tu (Kabhi Na Kabhi), Kissa Hum Likhenge (Doli Saja Ke Rakhna) - Lovely melodies sung by popular Malayalam singer M. G. Sreekumar for Rahman back in the late 90's.

Mil Gayi Mil Gayi Woh Manzilen, Tum Ho Meri Nigahon Mein, Mere Yaara Dildara (Kabhi Na Kabhi) - Speaking of Tu Hi Tu, Rahman's score for Kabhi Na Kabhi offers more of the timeless music he has become synonymous with, crafting melodic runs that feel just as effortlessly exquisite.

Oru Naal Oru Pozhudu, Sakiyae Nee (Anthimanthaarai) - This 1996 film directed by P. Bharathiraja is perhaps relatively unknown to many, and I am sort of kicking myself for not having encountered it much earlier. Such beautiful music!

Uyire Uyire (Bombay), Nila Kaikiradhu (Indira), Arima Arima (Enthiran), Telephone Manipol (Indian), Vidu Kathaiya (Muthu), Mazhai Thulli (Sangamam), Chandiranai Thottathu Yaar (Ratchagan), Sundari (Kannathil Muthamittal), Dheemi Dheemi (1947: Earth), Kurukku Chiruththavale (Mudhalvan), Vaaji Vaaji (Sivaji: The Boss), Thottal Poo Malarum (New), Dolna Dolna (Parasuram) - I wonder how these songs would sound had Hariharan not sung them. For I cannot imagine anyone else in his place.

Soniya Soniya (Ratchagan) - Hats off to lyricist Vairamuthu for categorising love as saivam and asaivam. And the vocal chemistry between Udit Narayan and Unnikrishnan is priceless!

Secret of Success (Boys) - Boys is packed with peppy chartbusting music - Girlfriend, Maro Maro, Boom Boom, Ale Ale, Dating and many more, but nothing beats this insanely catchy anthemic number sung by Lucky Ali, Clinton Cerejo, Blaaze and Vasundhara Das.

Main Vari Vari (Mangal Pandey: The Rising), Dheem Ta Dare (Thakshak), Yeh Rishta (Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities), Mehndi Hai Rachnewali, Dheeme Dheeme, Chodo Mori Baiyaan (Zubeidaa) - Captivating classical compositions, each and every one of them!

Aayo Re Sakhi, Piya Ho, Naina Neer Bahaye (Water) - Sukhwinder Singh and Sadhana Sargam's rendition is magnificent on its own, but with Rahman's soulful music, it achieves a level of beauty paralleled only by the atmospherics of it all.

Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera, Saanwariya Saanwariya, Yeh Taara Woh Taara, Yun Hi Chala Chala, Pal Pal Hai Bhaari, Dekho Na (Swades) - A grand, lovely, all-embracing piece of work and a potent mix of hooky melodies and rousing anthems that's a testament to Rahman's chameleonic sound.

Paathshaala, Rang De Basanti, Tu Bin Bataayein, Rubaroo, Khalbali, Luka Chuppi (Rang De Basanti) - What Boys was in Tamil, Rang De Basanti is its equivalent in Hindi. Absurdly addictive music like no other!

Ghanan Ghanan (Lagaan), Maram Kothiye (Anbe Aaruyire), Hey Goodbye Nanba (Aaytha Ezhuthu), Thom Karuvil Irundom (Star) - I want more of Rahman and Shankar Mahadevan. What a fantastic collaboration!

Yaar Mila Tha (Blue), Mitwa, Radha Kaise Na Jale, O Rey Chhori (Lagaan), Kuluvalilae (Muthu), Hai Na (Zubeidaa) - Udit Narayan and folk are a match made in heaven!

Chale Chalo (Lagaan), Porkalam Ange (Thenali), Zindagi (Yuvvraaj) - The perfect convergence of melody and flawless singing from Srinivas.

Hawa Sun Hawa (Ada... A Way of Life) - Meherbaan and its instrumental version by Sanjeev Thomas are brilliantly tranquil as is Ishq Ada, which carries a hymnal tilt that blends Middle Eastern and classical motifs to fantastic effect. Gum Sum's groovy folk beats are shadowed closely by some interesting bass riffs, with singers Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik leading superbly on the vocal front. But it's Hawa Sun Hawa that emerges the soundtrack's highlight, its breezy, soul-stirring mix of ambient strings and tabla finding its excellent backing in Nigam and Yagnik, who add further layers to the track, creating a warm, pillowy sound.

Adi Nenthikkitten (Star), Ale Ale (Boys), Maya Maya (Baba), Behene De (Raavan) - Karthik's outstanding rendition aside, Nenthikkitten's folky soundbed is so addictive, you can't help listen to it over and over again. Can you believe this was Karthik's singing debut?

Tanha Tanha (Rangeela) - Asha Bhosle's vocals never cease me to amaze me, every single damn time. And that flute, just wow!

Hai Jaana (Pukar) - Riding on a very unique rhythm structure, Rahman spellbinds with a bewitching melody, putting Sujatha's vocals to good use.

Aaha Thamizamma, Ennuyir Thozhi (Kangalal Kaidhu Sei) - For the former, Rahman ropes in his sister Reihana and Mathangi for an unconventional-but-foot-tapping musical lesson on Tamil language. The latter though is vintage Rahman, complete with a sprawling tune and pitch-perfect rendition from Unni Menon and Chinmayi.

Shaouk Hai (Guru) - This ethereal melody from Guru is what dreams are made of — a soaring piano-driven piece that's unmatched in its undeniably pretty soundscape and fabulously rendered by Sowmya Raoh.

Guzaarish, Kaise Mujhe, Behka (Ghajini) - Guzaarish's gorgeous melody finds its pitch-perfect backing in Javed Ali and Sonu Nigam, while Benny Dayal, in his inimitable style, rises up to the occasion to sweeten Kaise Mujhe's dulcet pathos. But Behka is the undoubted stunner, driven by sweeping sax interludes, a brass-leaning syncopated arrangement, and a fantastic-sounding Karthik.

Maiyya Yashoda, I've Been Waiting (Jhootha Hi Sahi) - If Cry Cry is mellow, understated melody along the lines of Kabhi Kabhi Aditi, Javed Ali and Chinmayi rock the trendy, rhythmic bhajan Maiyya Yashoda. Hello Hello, crooned by Karthik, rides on a spell-binding unconventional fusion of sounds layered against a profusion of strings, even as Rashid Ali hits all the right notes with his singing of the expansive acoustic ballad Call Me Dil. The stunning highlight, however, arrives in the form of I've Been Waiting, with singer Vijay Yesudas' velvety vocals laid over a shimmering, dreamy jazz-leaning canvas.

Others worth a mention: Nagu Momu Nagma, Hello Hello (Gangmaster), Bombay Theme (Bombay), Yar Adhu? (Mr. Romeo), Kaatru Kuthirayile (Kadhalan), Khamosh Raat (Thakshak), Sabaq Aisa (Tehzeeb), Kizhakke Nandavanam (Taj Mahal), Love Theme (Jeans), Idhu Sugam, Chitthirai Nilavu (Vandicholai Chinraasu), Sunta Hai Mera Khuda (Pukar), Mayiliragae (Anbe Aaruyire)

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