Heavy Rotation: Ilaiyaraaja (Part III)

Saayndhu Saayndhu from Neethaane En Ponvasantham is my pick of the week. Give me Ilaiyaraaja any day!

Nee Engey En Anbe (Chinna Thambi) - Swarnalatha and her unparalleled rendition is like an icing on the cake!

Kanne Kalaimaane (Moondram Pirai), Yen Iniya Pon Nilavae (Moodu Pani), Pottu Vaitha (Idhayam), Poove Sempoove (Solla Thudikuthu Manasu), Thenpandi Thamizhe (Paasa Paravaigal), Muthumani Chudare Vaa (Anbulla Rajinikanth), Chellakkaatte (Kochu Kochu Santhoshangal) - Listening to Endhan Nenjil last week was a trigger enticing enough for me to revisit K. J. Yesudas and S. Janaki's (and S.P.B.'s and Chithra's) other songs in Tamil, and needless to say, it's a musical experience difficult to sum up in a few words!

Thumbi Vaa (Olangal), Kaatril Endhan (Johnny), Germaniyin Senthen (Ullasa Paravaigal), Aasai Athigam (Marupadiyum), Vellai Pura Onru (Puthukavithai), Ninaivo Oru Paravai (Sigappu Rojakkal), Aagaya Gangai (Dharma Yuddam), Vizhiyile Mani (Nooravathu Naal), Inji Idupazhagi (Thevar Magan) - It's no surprise S. Janaki is called the 'Nightingale of South India', given the vocal finesse she has put on display.

Mazhai Varuthu (Raja Kaiya Vacha), Poovae Poochudava (Poove Poochooda Vaa), Kodamanjin Thaazhvarayil (Kochu Kochu Santhoshangal), Enthu Paranjaalum (Achuvinte Amma) - Isn't Chithra's voice sublime? I can immerse myself all day long listening to her songs!

Mayanginen Solla Thayanginen (Naane Raja Naane Mandhiri), Muthumani Maala (Chinna Gounder), Un Nenja Thottu Sollu (Rajadhi Raja), Raasathi Manasule (Rasave Unnai Nambi), Laali Laali (Swathi Muthyam), Raasavae Unnai (Vaidehi Kathirunthal), Ghallu Ghallu, Koluvai Vunnade (Swarnakamalam), Kalaya Nijama (Coolie No. 1), Vanamellam Shenbagapoo (Nadodi Pattukkaran) - P. Susheela's unique voice lift the pleasant melodies to soaring heights.

Elangaathu Veesudhey, Piraiye Piraiye (Pithamagan), Onnavida (Virumaandi), Kannil Paarvai (Naan Kadavul), Antha Naal (Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam), Paattu Solli, Oliyile Therivadhu (Azhagi), Nirpathuve Nadapathuve (Bharathi) - Maestro's choice to rope in Shreya Ghoshal, Madhu Balakrishnan, Sriram Parthasarathy, Sadhana Sargam and Harish Raghavendra to croon the lilting melodies pays off wonderfully!

Kai Veesi (Nandalala) - Vijay Yesudas, Shweta Mohan and Madhu Balakrishnan, with Hungarian musicians for company, spellbind with an euphonious symphony that's beyond captivating.

Nee Partha (Hey Ram) - An exemplary orchestral piece where Ilaiyaraaja lets his imagination run riot, topped by an arresting rendition from Asha Bhosle and Hariharan.

Ninnaichcharan Adainthen (Bharathi), Unnai Thedum (Pon Megalai), Raagam Azhaithu (Kanmani Oru Kavithai), Kaiyil Veenai Yendhum (Vietnam Colony) - Bombay Jayashri brings to life the stunning classical melodic pieces from the maestro.

Saayndhu Saayndhu (Neethaane En Ponvasantham) - I happened to hear this song at a restaurant recently, and I was immediately struck by how beautiful it is. Mesmerising is an understatement.

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