Rehman ki JAI HO!. Review on Ten Best Songs of A.R. Rahman

A name that comes to my mind when I think of soulful music, something that makes the body as well as the mind dance to the tunes is A.R. Rahman. The master who has composed upteen melodious songs has been my favourite music director since Roja. He makes it a point to compose at least one song with a classical tune and this unsaid rule stands in all his movies till date. Here is a list of my favourite songs by him-

1. Dil hai chota sa: (Movie- Roja) During an era of disco, drums, electric guitar and fast paced music, 1992 saw a refreshing breeze of soft classical music with this innocent song in Roja. The music is fresh in our hearts till date because of the childish innocence in it.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=TAsrjRF5BfY

2.Ghanan ghanan:(Movie- Lagaan) A beautiful song sung by Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik, Sukhwinder Singh, Shankar Mahadevan, Shaan, and Kishori Gowariker. This song is in kafi raga, and has always been the favourite monsoon song of millions. ARR won the Filmfare Best Music Director Award for this movie

https://youtube.com/watch?v=TpTCnl36gZI

1. Ye jo des hai tera:(Movie- Swades) A very soft, touching song sung by ARR. I m sure people who are away from their homeland would have lot of memories associated with this song.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=T4oK6A2JOTc

1. Paathshaala:(Movie- Rang de Basanti)- ARR’s use of guitar in this hip-hop song is outstanding! A clubber’s favourite, this one rocks the charts till this date with the same vigour.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=0G_Po7knpwk

1. Ae ajnabi:(Movie- Dil se)- The music in this song is carried along with just a dholak. Although this movie landed in dust, the music soared to the sky and remains fresh in our hearts. ARR won the Filmfare Best Music Director Award for this.

   
   




2. Rang de:(Thakshak)- Sung most elegantly by Asha Bhosale, this song is fast and has repetitive lyrics, but surprisingly, it does not sound repetitive at all! This is in Nat Bhairav Raaga

   
   

https://youtube.com/watch?v=CEhEuyjuFro

1. Khwaja:(Movie- Jodha Akhbar)- Sung by ARR, this song has a sufi touch to it and gave new dimensions to bollywood music.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ExNsblNYoxQ

1. Genda phool:(Movie- Delhi 6)- Many would choose masakali if Delhi 6 is to be mentioned in this list but I loved Genda Phool more because of the Indian folk vocal spiced up with western background music.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=U-2wCCkWhhk

1. Kabhi kabhi aditi:(Movie- Jaane Tu… ya jaane na)- The most uplifting song of late, this one does definitely have the ARR stamp on it.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=cvVnNpj20oo

1. Vande maataram:Sung by ARR, it’s just enough to kindle the fire of patriotism.

Songs that should find a mention-

• Spirit of Rangeela Music:(Movie- Rangeela) ARR was the winner for Filmfare Best Music Director Award and for Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent.

  
  




• Hone do dil ko fanna:(Movie- Yuva)

  
  




• Beat of Passion:(Movie- Taal)- The best piece of music to check if your music system speakers are working fine! Its just amazing!

  
  




• Kehna hi Kya:(Movie: Bombay)

  
  




• Mere dil ka woh shehzaada (Movie- Kabhi na kabhi)

  
  

Although Slumdog millionaire won loads of awards, it does not find a place in this list! I’ m sure almost all Rehman fans would agree to this.