A.R.Rahman has become a legend of Indian music and not just Tamil music with his contribution to Film music and far beyond that. Genius are born and legends made by time. This is my tribute to another Musical Genius.
When the sun's rays fall after a shower of rain, may it be a heavy shower or a gentle drizzle, it forms a lovely rainbow. Rahman's music is like a shower of rain leaving behind a lovely rainbow of seven colours, like the seven swaras of music encompassing the length and breadth of music wisdom. A legend before ARR, Illayaraja says that music is just a sound. But it requires a genius to make this sound into a musical magic by manipulating these seven swaras.
I have distributed my favourite ARR songs in two genres of Slow and Fast tracks to ensemble the great saptaswaras into seven songs in each.
???????SLOW DRIZZLE-Melodious melancholies???????
?Uyirum Neeye- Pavithra?(Red -R)
Unnikrishnan makes you breathless after listening to the song-a tribute to motherhood by ARR/Vairamuthu/Unnikrishnan combination
? Snegithane- Alaipayuthe(Sathiya) ?(Orange-O)
Sadhana Sargam sings in such beautiful tamil that you get mesmerized and then the interludes comes in taking a tumble, a classic composition.
? Puthu Velai Mazhai-Roja?(Yellow-Y)
Legends mark their stamp with their first outing like Illayaraja did and Rahman announced his entry making a new chapter of music legends with wonderfully refreashing songs which changed the perception of music for Tamil audience.
? Sakhiye(Pachai Nirame)-Alaipayuthe?(Green-G)
If you want a song which has all colours of rainbow, then this is the song. Pachai Nirame(Green colour) marks the first saranam of the lovely song and carries on with the red, yellow, black and white embracing colours with womanhood.
? Anjali Anjali-Duet-SPB?(Blue-B)
It is very hard to pick between En Kadhale and this one because both are classical SPB songs. Kadre encapsulates SPB's voice in his sax for the song.
? Nila Kaygirathu-Indira-Harini?(Indigo-I)
So childish, so melodious, so simple a song which cannot be described in words. Just listening will do.
? Katre-Rhythm?(Violet-V)
Unnikrishnan would not have thought of dream of a song like this. The movie has songs with backdrop of air, water, fire and earth symbolically and the air that this song blows is so gentle and so melodious that it keeps ringing your ears all the time. Unni simply dominates Kavitha in the song. Great effort by Vairamuthu again.
???????HEAVY SHOWERS-Rhythmic rhapsody???????
? Saregame- Boys?(Red -R)
The pallavi is not of classical note as it appears, but is a real rocking song for the young and goes over the moon as it ends.
? Shakalaka Baby-Muthalvan?(Orange-O)
No no no no no no no . . . . You can't say no to this song even if you can to a girl.
? Ottagatha kattikko-Gentleman?(Yellow-Y)
Song by Vaali, sung by SPB & S.Janaki duo the song has funny words but the music is simply foot tapping. The movie has many good numbers.
? Dil se re-Dil se?(Green-G)
The pitch of the song gradually changes from low to high with complete ensemble of instruments and takes you into a jingle of joy, sung and composed with such passion and depth by Rahman.
? Mettu podu-Duet?(Blue-B)
Classical number by ARR that takes you into rapturous delight with Padmashree Kadri Gopalnath's enchanting saxophone. The movie will remain one of Rahman?s best contributions even after several decades to tamil film music.
? Chandralekha-Thiruda Thiruda?(Indigo-I)
Grand and Grandeur-that's what Manirathnam and Rahman can achieve together, a real chill out song with bang bang music.
? Jiya jale-Dil Se?(Violet-V)
Prefer Latha's beautiful voice in Hindi with masterly Malayalam jingles from Malabar Coast by Sreekumar which sets the pace for this rhythmic song.
That is what I call a ?Double Rainbow? which is very rare. Rahman?s songs is not just colours but also are as pure as white.
My white Tamil song-?Velai Pookal-Kanathil Muthamital ?
White flowers-The song takes you to heavenly heights symbolizing white with Peace and tranquility in a land of terror and beautifully sketching Nature and child as the day begins and ends for us to create a better world for our children with Vairamuthu?s enchanting https://lyrics. Rahman?s voice blends beautifully with the lyrics and guitar.
My white Hindi song-?Ishq Bina-Taal?
Another masterpiece with wonderful lyrics by Anand Bakshi. Anuradha Sriram, Sujatha and Sonu Nigam take you to ecstasy mode with such a lovely romantic song.
Here are few more to make it twenty Best
Vennilave Vennilave( Chand Re Chanda re) -Minsara Kanavu(Sapney)
Uyire-Bombay
Radha kaise Na Jale-Lagaan
Narumugaye-Iruvar
So what makes A R Rahman, a great music director
He understands music nuances to reach a global audience yet creating nativity in every song.
His choice of instruments and the mixing of them are outstanding.
He picks up the right singer for every song which is what gives life to his music.
He is helped by great Lyrics writes like Vairamuthu, Gulzar and Anand Bakshi which makes most of his songs very enjoyable to understand.
Why do we need him to continue for another decade with Tamil Cinema
I think Tamil film Music with ghanas and masalas is touching its lowest ever because of the greats Illayaraja and Rahman concentrating on greater glory and we need Rahman's chapter to continue till the next legend comes to the fore.
Else we will be deprived of quality music.
Next: Watch for ARR at his best in 'Kangalal Kaidhi sey' of Barathiraja. I am told Rahman has done better than'Karuthama' and'Taj Mahaal' for him.
