Heavy Rotation: Rahul Raj
Even though I started this blog only in 2011, I have tried my best to backfill the discographies of various composers I have enjoyed listening over the years — which is why it's all the more surprising that I haven't done the same for Rahul Raj, the computer engineer-turned-composer who broke into the music scene with Chotta Mumbai in 2007. But interestingly that was not my first brush with Rahul Raj's music. In fact, it happened much earlier in 2005, with a captivating spiritual anthem called Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu that he had composed for Amritavarsham 50. Needless to say, it remains one of his best till date!
Thala, Poonila (Chotta Mumbai) - Shankar Mahadevan's infectious vocals make Thala, a lovely rap-melody, an absolute ripper of a song!
Oru Raapoo (Time) - The "best" Rahul Raj song for me, if there can be one. Madhu Balakrishnan and Manjari, for their part, totally own the gorgeous Vidyasagar-like melody with an ear-pleasing rendition of sorts.
Mizhiyil Mizhiyil (Mayabazar) - Sung by Srinivas and Sujatha, this super-rhythmic qawwali'esque tune is the very definition of an earworm.
Venal Kattil, Pularumo (Ritu) - Airy, downtempo melodies that are gobsmackingly pretty in Rahul Raj, Gayatri and Suchith Suresan's bang-on vocals!
Poonchillayil (Chekavar) - A Vijay Yesudas and Chithra combination is a relatively rare occurrence, and props to Rahul Raj for roping them in a melody that's worth coming back to again and again.
Nuvvu Nenu Jattu (Oh My Friend) - A pleasant, acoustic melody sung to perfection by Benny Dayal from Rahul Raj's Telugu debut.
Chenthamara Chundil (Style) - Haricharan Seshadri and Shweta Mohan ace the lovely semi-classical romantic duet, neatly backed by an assorted blend of mridangam, veena, flute and hand-claps.
Kili Poyi (Kili Poyi) - A snazzy, fuzzed-out affair befitting a stoner film!
Kannaadi Vaathil (London Bridge) - A trademark Rahul Raj tune, and the composer's sedate arrangements and Haricharan's spotless singing are easily the bright spots of the melody.
Pularmanjupol Nee (En Jeevane) - One of the earliest compositions from Rahul Raj, released even before his film debut, but mesmerisingly beautiful in Karthik and Sujatha's vocals.
Thala, Poonila (Chotta Mumbai) - Shankar Mahadevan's infectious vocals make Thala, a lovely rap-melody, an absolute ripper of a song!
Oru Raapoo (Time) - The "best" Rahul Raj song for me, if there can be one. Madhu Balakrishnan and Manjari, for their part, totally own the gorgeous Vidyasagar-like melody with an ear-pleasing rendition of sorts.
Mizhiyil Mizhiyil (Mayabazar) - Sung by Srinivas and Sujatha, this super-rhythmic qawwali'esque tune is the very definition of an earworm.
Venal Kattil, Pularumo (Ritu) - Airy, downtempo melodies that are gobsmackingly pretty in Rahul Raj, Gayatri and Suchith Suresan's bang-on vocals!
Poonchillayil (Chekavar) - A Vijay Yesudas and Chithra combination is a relatively rare occurrence, and props to Rahul Raj for roping them in a melody that's worth coming back to again and again.
Nuvvu Nenu Jattu (Oh My Friend) - A pleasant, acoustic melody sung to perfection by Benny Dayal from Rahul Raj's Telugu debut.
Chenthamara Chundil (Style) - Haricharan Seshadri and Shweta Mohan ace the lovely semi-classical romantic duet, neatly backed by an assorted blend of mridangam, veena, flute and hand-claps.
Kili Poyi (Kili Poyi) - A snazzy, fuzzed-out affair befitting a stoner film!
Kannaadi Vaathil (London Bridge) - A trademark Rahul Raj tune, and the composer's sedate arrangements and Haricharan's spotless singing are easily the bright spots of the melody.
Pularmanjupol Nee (En Jeevane) - One of the earliest compositions from Rahul Raj, released even before his film debut, but mesmerisingly beautiful in Karthik and Sujatha's vocals.
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