Heavy Rotation: A. R. Rahman (Part III)
Yes, a little more A. R. Rahman... because there's so much good music out there!
Kannodu Kaanbadhellam (Jeans), Minsara Poove (Padayappa), Sowkiyama Kannae (Sangamam), Manmadha Masam (Paarthale Paravasam) - Mind-blowing and intricately arranged Carnatic music compositions, and Nithyasree Mahadevan's rendition makes it all sound like it was a cakewalk. If Sowkiyama is a dexterous showcase of maand raga, Kannodu is a fine classical-leaning piece based on ābhēri. Minsara Poove, in particular, is a stunner set against vasantha raga, its vigorously classical notes flawlessly translated by Nithyasree, alongside Srinivas and Palakkad Sreeram (on the konnakol). Also did you catch Hariharan in the first interlude?
Munbe Vaa (Sillunu Oru Kaadhal) - Shreya Ghoshal's questionable Tamil diction barring, the tuneful melody is nectar for the ears — love that santoor.
Vennilavae, Anbendra (Minsara Kanavu) - Rahman's enticing arrangements and Hariharan, Sadhana Sargam and Anuradha Sriram's singing are appositely other-worldly. What's more, there's another version sung by Shankar Mahadevan and Kavita Paudwal!
Oruvan Oruvan (Muthu) - An invigorating song of epic proportions, sung with the right amount of verve by SPB.
Pachai Kiligal (Indian) - A. R. Rahman and K. J. Yesudas are a rare combination, and the folksy Pachai Kiligal (the other popular ones being Kannamoochi Yenada duet version with Chithra and O Bhavre with Asha Bhosle) is thoroughly engaging and splendiferous.
Azhagae Sugama (Paarthale Paravasam) - Another of Rahman's unsung gem, a stunner of a blissful romantic ballad, beautifully sung by Srinivas and Sadhana Sargam. And those violins, phew!
Mel Isaiyae (Mr. Romeo) - Ambient and foot-tapping, singers Unni Menon, Swarnalatha, Srinivas and Sujatha make this pleasant melody absolutely enthralling.
Poraale Ponnuthayi (Karuthamma) - A heat-touching, soulful number, and Unni Menon, Sujatha and Swarnalatha once again spell-bind with their impeccable rendition.
Pudhu Vellai Mazhai, Chinna Chinna Aasai (Roja) - Evergreen, timeless and utterly mesmerising, the arresting melodies from Rahman's mind-blowing musical debut is nothing short of a phenomenon. Special mention to Unni Menon and Sujatha!
Maampoove (Yoddha) - A. R. Rahman's sophomore outing as a composer after his breathtaking debut in Roja, and the only Malayalam film to feature his music. Maampoove has that distinct early Rahman aesthetic that gains immensely from Yesudas and Sujatha's singing, which he would go on to reuse for the Tamil movie Pavithra as Sevvanam.
En Veetu Thotathil (Gentleman) - Yet another spectacular semi-classical melody in SPB and Sujatha's superlative singing.
Chotta Chotta (Taj Mahal) - Srinivas and Sujatha are bang on target in this folksy melody!
Udhaya Udhaya (Udhaya) - A mellow romantic duet and a unique blend of Carnatic and Hindustani styles of music. And Hariharan and Sadhana Sargam are splendid to say the least.
Ennavale Adi Ennavale (Kadhalan), Narumugaye (Iruvar), Nila Kaikiradhu (Indira), Sonnalum (Kadhal Virus), Kalayil Thinamum (New) - Unnikrishnan and Harini's blissful vocals fit like a glove for these captivating semi-classical melodies.
Mann Mohana, In Lamhon Ke Daaman Mein (Jodhaa Akbar) - A lavishly inventive and grand sweeping soundtrack propelled by serene, dulcet harmonies and hymnal bhajan-like soundscapes, with Javed Ali, Sonu Nigam, Madhushree, and Bela Shende lending spectacular vocal purchase.
Jashn-E-Bahaara (Flute Version), Pal Pal Hai Bhaari (Flute Version), Velli Malarae (Flute Version) - Seasoned flautist Naveen kumar lends an ethereal touch, resulting in captivating instrumentals and intriguing points of sonic experimentation.
Chittukuruvi (Parasuram) - Swarnalatha and Sriram Parthasarathy lead a delightful melody set to pulsating rhythms that pairs Arabic strains with ethereal techno production.
Arziyan (Delhi-6) - The best sufi composition from Rahman in my opinion; so divine! Not to forget Javed Ali and Kailash Kher's fantastic rendition.
Manmohini Morey (Yuvvraaj) - Hindustani and trance music meld together in this heady musical concoction. And Vijay Prakash rocks!
Jaane Tu Meri Kya Hai (Jaane Tu.. Ya Jaane Na) - Nazrein Milana Nazrein Churana is catchy boy-band rock song, while Pappu Can't Dance works incredibly well as an instantly catchy, ebullient dance number that is a guaranteed foot-shaker. Kabhi Kabhi Aditi, sung superbly by Rashid Ali, is characterised by its dreamy, acoustic sound, Tu Bole Main Boloon is uncompromising, unrestrained jazz all the way, and Kahin Toh is an atmospheric mood piece led by fabulous singing from Rashid Ali and Vasundhara Das. The soundtrack ultimately belongs to Jaane Tu Meri Kya Hai, an exemplary heart-rending pathos rendered in two different versions by Runa Rizvi and Sukhwinder Singh.
Kannodu Kaanbadhellam (Jeans), Minsara Poove (Padayappa), Sowkiyama Kannae (Sangamam), Manmadha Masam (Paarthale Paravasam) - Mind-blowing and intricately arranged Carnatic music compositions, and Nithyasree Mahadevan's rendition makes it all sound like it was a cakewalk. If Sowkiyama is a dexterous showcase of maand raga, Kannodu is a fine classical-leaning piece based on ābhēri. Minsara Poove, in particular, is a stunner set against vasantha raga, its vigorously classical notes flawlessly translated by Nithyasree, alongside Srinivas and Palakkad Sreeram (on the konnakol). Also did you catch Hariharan in the first interlude?
Munbe Vaa (Sillunu Oru Kaadhal) - Shreya Ghoshal's questionable Tamil diction barring, the tuneful melody is nectar for the ears — love that santoor.
Vennilavae, Anbendra (Minsara Kanavu) - Rahman's enticing arrangements and Hariharan, Sadhana Sargam and Anuradha Sriram's singing are appositely other-worldly. What's more, there's another version sung by Shankar Mahadevan and Kavita Paudwal!
Oruvan Oruvan (Muthu) - An invigorating song of epic proportions, sung with the right amount of verve by SPB.
Pachai Kiligal (Indian) - A. R. Rahman and K. J. Yesudas are a rare combination, and the folksy Pachai Kiligal (the other popular ones being Kannamoochi Yenada duet version with Chithra and O Bhavre with Asha Bhosle) is thoroughly engaging and splendiferous.
Azhagae Sugama (Paarthale Paravasam) - Another of Rahman's unsung gem, a stunner of a blissful romantic ballad, beautifully sung by Srinivas and Sadhana Sargam. And those violins, phew!
Mel Isaiyae (Mr. Romeo) - Ambient and foot-tapping, singers Unni Menon, Swarnalatha, Srinivas and Sujatha make this pleasant melody absolutely enthralling.
Poraale Ponnuthayi (Karuthamma) - A heat-touching, soulful number, and Unni Menon, Sujatha and Swarnalatha once again spell-bind with their impeccable rendition.
Pudhu Vellai Mazhai, Chinna Chinna Aasai (Roja) - Evergreen, timeless and utterly mesmerising, the arresting melodies from Rahman's mind-blowing musical debut is nothing short of a phenomenon. Special mention to Unni Menon and Sujatha!
Maampoove (Yoddha) - A. R. Rahman's sophomore outing as a composer after his breathtaking debut in Roja, and the only Malayalam film to feature his music. Maampoove has that distinct early Rahman aesthetic that gains immensely from Yesudas and Sujatha's singing, which he would go on to reuse for the Tamil movie Pavithra as Sevvanam.
En Veetu Thotathil (Gentleman) - Yet another spectacular semi-classical melody in SPB and Sujatha's superlative singing.
Chotta Chotta (Taj Mahal) - Srinivas and Sujatha are bang on target in this folksy melody!
Udhaya Udhaya (Udhaya) - A mellow romantic duet and a unique blend of Carnatic and Hindustani styles of music. And Hariharan and Sadhana Sargam are splendid to say the least.
Ennavale Adi Ennavale (Kadhalan), Narumugaye (Iruvar), Nila Kaikiradhu (Indira), Sonnalum (Kadhal Virus), Kalayil Thinamum (New) - Unnikrishnan and Harini's blissful vocals fit like a glove for these captivating semi-classical melodies.
Mann Mohana, In Lamhon Ke Daaman Mein (Jodhaa Akbar) - A lavishly inventive and grand sweeping soundtrack propelled by serene, dulcet harmonies and hymnal bhajan-like soundscapes, with Javed Ali, Sonu Nigam, Madhushree, and Bela Shende lending spectacular vocal purchase.
Jashn-E-Bahaara (Flute Version), Pal Pal Hai Bhaari (Flute Version), Velli Malarae (Flute Version) - Seasoned flautist Naveen kumar lends an ethereal touch, resulting in captivating instrumentals and intriguing points of sonic experimentation.
Chittukuruvi (Parasuram) - Swarnalatha and Sriram Parthasarathy lead a delightful melody set to pulsating rhythms that pairs Arabic strains with ethereal techno production.
Arziyan (Delhi-6) - The best sufi composition from Rahman in my opinion; so divine! Not to forget Javed Ali and Kailash Kher's fantastic rendition.
Manmohini Morey (Yuvvraaj) - Hindustani and trance music meld together in this heady musical concoction. And Vijay Prakash rocks!
Jaane Tu Meri Kya Hai (Jaane Tu.. Ya Jaane Na) - Nazrein Milana Nazrein Churana is catchy boy-band rock song, while Pappu Can't Dance works incredibly well as an instantly catchy, ebullient dance number that is a guaranteed foot-shaker. Kabhi Kabhi Aditi, sung superbly by Rashid Ali, is characterised by its dreamy, acoustic sound, Tu Bole Main Boloon is uncompromising, unrestrained jazz all the way, and Kahin Toh is an atmospheric mood piece led by fabulous singing from Rashid Ali and Vasundhara Das. The soundtrack ultimately belongs to Jaane Tu Meri Kya Hai, an exemplary heart-rending pathos rendered in two different versions by Runa Rizvi and Sukhwinder Singh.
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