Heavy Rotation: A. R. Rahman (Part II)
When it comes to timeless dance anthems, A. R. Rahman has truckloads of them. Packed with melodic accents, sugary hooks and pulsating beats, it's indeed a challenge to pick a truly great song in an impressive discography of truly great songs!
Usalampatti Penkutti, Chikku Bukku Rayile, Ottagathai Kattiko (Gentleman) - Quite literally a chart-bursting soundtrack packed with captivating folk numbers and forward-leaning bangers.
Urvasi Urvasi, Mukkabla, Kadhalikum Pennin, Pettai Rap (Kadhalan) - If there is a word to describe Rahman's music in Kadhalan, it would be genre-defying. What spiffy melodies!
Hamma Hamma, Kuchi Kuchi (Bombay) - Of course, this Mani Ratnam film is known for its fantastic music, and rightly so for its ever-morphing mix of competently produced and undeniably pretty tunes (Kannalanae, Uyire Uyire and Malarodu Malaringu), but then you also have the smashing Arabic-tinged Hamma Hamma sung by Rahman himself and the lilting folk piece Kuchi Kuchi featuring my favourites Hariharan and Swarnalatha.
Thillana Thillana (Muthu) - Any write-up on Rahman's music will be incomplete without this beautifully tuneful yet instantly catchy folk number sung with effortless ease by Mano and Sujatha. An ever-morphing mix of euphonious textures and slick beats, garnished with a dash of mridangam, Thillana Thillana is immensely listenable and delightfully intricate in equal measure.
No Problem (Love Birds) - Sung by Apache Indian aka Steven Kapur, a British singer of Indian origin, this reggae-infused rap song is the very definition of bouncy music and a pop banger propelled along by crisp backbeats and forward-facing brass excursions.
Akadanu Naanga (Indian) - Rahman's inventive mix of Indian strings, kanjira, slinky smooth bassline and a propulsive, clattering percussion in this stylish ode to fashion. And how can I forget Swarnalatha's outstanding singing!
Hello Doctor (Kadhal Desam) - Another trend-setting soundtrack from Rahman, and this genre-hopping world fusion is a rich tapestry of sounds that is infinitely appealing.
Romeo Aatam Potal (Mr. Romeo) - Hariharan and Udit Narayan join hands for what's a sparkly, ebullient dance number, accompanied by a perfect sprinkle of harmonica, rhythmic beats and strings.
Manna Madurai (Ooh La La La) (Minsara Kanavu) - The effortless transition from folk to western pop notwithstanding, it's also the song that won Chithra the National Award for Best Female Playback Singer.
Columbus Columbus, Enakke Enakka (Jeans) - Rahman is yet to outdo Columbus' ridiculously foot-tapping and joyously unhinged production, and the frenzied mix of western percussion and mridangam makes for an addictive concoction, I must say!
Chaiyya Chaiyya (Dil Se..) - Rahman's second song to feature a train leitmotif — the first being Gentleman's Chikku Bukku Rayile — but an accomplished fusion of sounds that slows down and speeds up at once, unfurling a mesmerising melody that's dizzying in its rhythmic complexity.
Jumbalakka, Kadhal Niagara (En Swasa Kaatre) - Jumbalakka is as straightforward a Latinate tune with Arabesque elements thrown in, but in Kadhal Niagara, Rahman ropes in a fantastic Palakkad Sreeram, Harini and Anupama (of Chandralekha fame) for a compelling western Indian classical fusion, that he would go on to rework with equally fantastic results in Kay Sera Sera (Pukar).
Oh Mariya (Kadhalar Dhinam) - Devan Ekambaram and Yugendran rule this electrifying composition that brims with energy and style.
Beat of Passion, Raga Dance (Taal), Love Check (Paarthale Paravasam) - Frenetic instrumentals taken to a whole new level, thanks to Sivamani's dexterous percussion.
Anjathe Jeeva (Jodi) - Rahman may have reused most of the tunes for this film from Doli Saja Ke Rakhna, but the composition is easily unmatched for its seamless mix of folk, and stellar vocals from singers Swarnalatha and Sirkazhi G. Sivachidambaram.
Shakalaka Baby (Mudhalvan) - Vasundhara Das' spirited rendition aside, the song marks the singing debut of Pravin Mani, who, incidentally, also worked on the film's background score. He would also go on to make his composing debut a couple of years later with Little John.
Smayiyai (Kandukondain Kandukondain) - Kandukondain Kandukondain is high on strong melodies packed with classical strains and folksy rhythms, but Rahman manages to squeeze in a heady dance piece built around elements of doo-wop and jazz with a superb Devan Ekambaram, Clinton Cerejo and Dominique Cerejo on the vocals.
Rasiga Rasiga (Star) - While Asha Bhosle-sung original Rang De (Thakshak) is great in its own right, S.P.B. and Sujatha bring their own flavour to the lilting melody that's at once exuberant and intoxicating.
Thiruvallikeni Rani (Udhaya) - The array of sounds that Rahman assembles for this song is utterly mind-boggling, and to top it all embellished by Sukhwinder Singh and Karthik's top-notch vocals.
Fanaa (Yuva) - Atmospheric trance music that feels celebratory and primed for the dance floor!
New New (New), Maram Kothiye, Anbe Aaruyire (Anbe Aaruyire) - Rahman's zingy spin on EDM, and irresistibly groovy.
Kummi Adi (Sillunu Oru Kaadhal) - Swarnalatha and Sirkazhi G. Sivachidambaram together again (alongside Naresh Iyer) for a percussion-heavy traditional folk melody. Also the last song Swarnalatha sang for Rahman before her untimely death in 2010.
Pappu Can't Dance (Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na) - Benny Dayal and Blaaze, along with Anupama, feature in an impossibly buoyant cut that's ironically about a Pappu who cannot dance. What are the odds!
Mayya (Guru) - Rahman takes unexpected detours in this sultry Middle-Eastern flavoured composition, with Maryem Tollar's sparkling vocals and perky percussion for company.
Taxi Taxi (Sakkarakatti) - An absolute ripper of a reggaeton song, by turns exhilarating and jaunty, with fantastic purchase from Blaaze, Benny Dayal, Javed Ali and Vivian Chaix.
Shano Shano (Yuvvraaj) - A sleek electronic club-pop track that places Sonu Nigam and Blaaze's cheery vocals atop a burbling 80's disco groove.
Genda Phool (Delhi-6) - The whole soundtrack is a veritable sonic masterpiece — whether it's the ethereal Ash King-sung Dil Gira Dafatan, or the hymnal Arziyan, or the breezy Masakali, or the alt-rock hip-hop rap blend Dilli-6, or the pensive Arabic exotica Rehna Tu, it's unparalleled in its exploration of world music. But then you also have this delectable shaadi ditty performed with a touch of playfulness by Rekha Bhardwaj.
Chiggy Wiggy (Blue) - Seductive hues and bhangra blend in this fluid, zippy synthetic fusion, with Australian pop star Kylie Minogue and Sonu Nigam hitting the bull's eye with their vivacious rendition.
Latoo (Ghajini) - Rahman ropes in a terrific Shreya Ghoshal and Pravin Mani to croon this instantly catchy, effervescent song that is a guaranteed foot-shaker.
Usalampatti Penkutti, Chikku Bukku Rayile, Ottagathai Kattiko (Gentleman) - Quite literally a chart-bursting soundtrack packed with captivating folk numbers and forward-leaning bangers.
Urvasi Urvasi, Mukkabla, Kadhalikum Pennin, Pettai Rap (Kadhalan) - If there is a word to describe Rahman's music in Kadhalan, it would be genre-defying. What spiffy melodies!
Hamma Hamma, Kuchi Kuchi (Bombay) - Of course, this Mani Ratnam film is known for its fantastic music, and rightly so for its ever-morphing mix of competently produced and undeniably pretty tunes (Kannalanae, Uyire Uyire and Malarodu Malaringu), but then you also have the smashing Arabic-tinged Hamma Hamma sung by Rahman himself and the lilting folk piece Kuchi Kuchi featuring my favourites Hariharan and Swarnalatha.
Thillana Thillana (Muthu) - Any write-up on Rahman's music will be incomplete without this beautifully tuneful yet instantly catchy folk number sung with effortless ease by Mano and Sujatha. An ever-morphing mix of euphonious textures and slick beats, garnished with a dash of mridangam, Thillana Thillana is immensely listenable and delightfully intricate in equal measure.
No Problem (Love Birds) - Sung by Apache Indian aka Steven Kapur, a British singer of Indian origin, this reggae-infused rap song is the very definition of bouncy music and a pop banger propelled along by crisp backbeats and forward-facing brass excursions.
Akadanu Naanga (Indian) - Rahman's inventive mix of Indian strings, kanjira, slinky smooth bassline and a propulsive, clattering percussion in this stylish ode to fashion. And how can I forget Swarnalatha's outstanding singing!
Hello Doctor (Kadhal Desam) - Another trend-setting soundtrack from Rahman, and this genre-hopping world fusion is a rich tapestry of sounds that is infinitely appealing.
Romeo Aatam Potal (Mr. Romeo) - Hariharan and Udit Narayan join hands for what's a sparkly, ebullient dance number, accompanied by a perfect sprinkle of harmonica, rhythmic beats and strings.
Manna Madurai (Ooh La La La) (Minsara Kanavu) - The effortless transition from folk to western pop notwithstanding, it's also the song that won Chithra the National Award for Best Female Playback Singer.
Columbus Columbus, Enakke Enakka (Jeans) - Rahman is yet to outdo Columbus' ridiculously foot-tapping and joyously unhinged production, and the frenzied mix of western percussion and mridangam makes for an addictive concoction, I must say!
Chaiyya Chaiyya (Dil Se..) - Rahman's second song to feature a train leitmotif — the first being Gentleman's Chikku Bukku Rayile — but an accomplished fusion of sounds that slows down and speeds up at once, unfurling a mesmerising melody that's dizzying in its rhythmic complexity.
Jumbalakka, Kadhal Niagara (En Swasa Kaatre) - Jumbalakka is as straightforward a Latinate tune with Arabesque elements thrown in, but in Kadhal Niagara, Rahman ropes in a fantastic Palakkad Sreeram, Harini and Anupama (of Chandralekha fame) for a compelling western Indian classical fusion, that he would go on to rework with equally fantastic results in Kay Sera Sera (Pukar).
Oh Mariya (Kadhalar Dhinam) - Devan Ekambaram and Yugendran rule this electrifying composition that brims with energy and style.
Beat of Passion, Raga Dance (Taal), Love Check (Paarthale Paravasam) - Frenetic instrumentals taken to a whole new level, thanks to Sivamani's dexterous percussion.
Anjathe Jeeva (Jodi) - Rahman may have reused most of the tunes for this film from Doli Saja Ke Rakhna, but the composition is easily unmatched for its seamless mix of folk, and stellar vocals from singers Swarnalatha and Sirkazhi G. Sivachidambaram.
Shakalaka Baby (Mudhalvan) - Vasundhara Das' spirited rendition aside, the song marks the singing debut of Pravin Mani, who, incidentally, also worked on the film's background score. He would also go on to make his composing debut a couple of years later with Little John.
Smayiyai (Kandukondain Kandukondain) - Kandukondain Kandukondain is high on strong melodies packed with classical strains and folksy rhythms, but Rahman manages to squeeze in a heady dance piece built around elements of doo-wop and jazz with a superb Devan Ekambaram, Clinton Cerejo and Dominique Cerejo on the vocals.
Rasiga Rasiga (Star) - While Asha Bhosle-sung original Rang De (Thakshak) is great in its own right, S.P.B. and Sujatha bring their own flavour to the lilting melody that's at once exuberant and intoxicating.
Thiruvallikeni Rani (Udhaya) - The array of sounds that Rahman assembles for this song is utterly mind-boggling, and to top it all embellished by Sukhwinder Singh and Karthik's top-notch vocals.
Fanaa (Yuva) - Atmospheric trance music that feels celebratory and primed for the dance floor!
New New (New), Maram Kothiye, Anbe Aaruyire (Anbe Aaruyire) - Rahman's zingy spin on EDM, and irresistibly groovy.
Kummi Adi (Sillunu Oru Kaadhal) - Swarnalatha and Sirkazhi G. Sivachidambaram together again (alongside Naresh Iyer) for a percussion-heavy traditional folk melody. Also the last song Swarnalatha sang for Rahman before her untimely death in 2010.
Pappu Can't Dance (Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na) - Benny Dayal and Blaaze, along with Anupama, feature in an impossibly buoyant cut that's ironically about a Pappu who cannot dance. What are the odds!
Mayya (Guru) - Rahman takes unexpected detours in this sultry Middle-Eastern flavoured composition, with Maryem Tollar's sparkling vocals and perky percussion for company.
Taxi Taxi (Sakkarakatti) - An absolute ripper of a reggaeton song, by turns exhilarating and jaunty, with fantastic purchase from Blaaze, Benny Dayal, Javed Ali and Vivian Chaix.
Shano Shano (Yuvvraaj) - A sleek electronic club-pop track that places Sonu Nigam and Blaaze's cheery vocals atop a burbling 80's disco groove.
Genda Phool (Delhi-6) - The whole soundtrack is a veritable sonic masterpiece — whether it's the ethereal Ash King-sung Dil Gira Dafatan, or the hymnal Arziyan, or the breezy Masakali, or the alt-rock hip-hop rap blend Dilli-6, or the pensive Arabic exotica Rehna Tu, it's unparalleled in its exploration of world music. But then you also have this delectable shaadi ditty performed with a touch of playfulness by Rekha Bhardwaj.
Chiggy Wiggy (Blue) - Seductive hues and bhangra blend in this fluid, zippy synthetic fusion, with Australian pop star Kylie Minogue and Sonu Nigam hitting the bull's eye with their vivacious rendition.
Latoo (Ghajini) - Rahman ropes in a terrific Shreya Ghoshal and Pravin Mani to croon this instantly catchy, effervescent song that is a guaranteed foot-shaker.
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