A southindian is very touchy about his idlis, his culture, traditions and of course A R Rahman. This pudgy looking boy with flowing locks from Southern India has now captured the hearts of all Indians through his music. From Dilip Shekar to Allah Rakha Rahman he has come a long way. He is one of the few commercial Indian Music Directors to be globally recognized and is now a part of a broadway musical co produced by Shekar Kapur and another master composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. If the teaser track is anything to go by, this venture proposes to be a musical treat.
He entered the musical world with lots of ad jingles and the like till he was approached by Mani Ratnam for his Roja, from there, he has not looked back and has continued composing some melodious tunes. He too has had his share of rough patches and criticisms of being repetitive. Lately he has been involved in many adventurous projects and tried out different sounds and has been successful in it. Selecting his best Ten songs would be very difficult and would also leave a heavy heart as many songs would be left out. Instead lets see his top 10 Music albums, First Hindi and then Tamil in no random order.
Hindi Top Ten Albums
Dil Se
This movie marked a change in musical approach by Rehman, he had a very northern touch to his songs coupled by Sukhwinder’s rustic voice to carry him through.The rage of the nation Chaiyya Chaiyya along with some beautiful numbers like the title track.
E Ajnabi and Satrangi re, not to forget the Nightingale’s renderation of Jiya Jale makes this album a collection piece.
Lagaan
Aamir’s epic cricket saga had some brilliant music to add to the already brilliant movie. The 19th century period was ably captured with ethic percussions and acoustic sounds. Ghanan ghanan, Mitwa were great songs but the two best songs in this album were . O re Chori for its skillful movement between the english lines and the Hindi lines and O Palanhaare the bhajan which was soulfully composed.
Rangeela
An experimental album as compared to his earlier albums, this one had more acoustic instruments, reed flutes and deep sounds and didn’t he come out trumps! Tanha Tanha, Hai Rama, Pyaar yeh Jaane kaisa, Kya kare kya naa kare and Mangta hai kya were masterpieces
Roja
His best venture as it was his first, the earthy yeh haseen vaadiyan and roja jaaneman, and patriotic bharat humko and the percussionful Rukmini Rukmini not to mention the reggaeish Choti si aasha were national sensations in no time.
Taal
His masterpiece, this album grows on you. Rahman spent at least a month in Himachal Pradesh to get a feel of the folk music in that part of the country. On a hot summer day, close your eyes and listen to Taal se Taal … u feel cool all of a sudden . aah the effect of music! . Ishq Bina( the second version) according to me is a brilliant composition especially the sudden change into a remix version. His musical pieces are ……. well I have run out of words.The pacy Ni main samajh gayi and Kahin aag lage by Asha Bhosale are great, but the best song is Kariye na …
Bombay
Remo had people dancing around with Humma Humma, the soulful Tu hi re and the anxious Kehna hai kya were superb. The other songs were good and complimented the movie well, but the scene stealer was the Bombay theme.
Sapnay
Chanda re … would force the moon visit us earthlings. The exuberant Awara Bhawre and Ek bagiya main were good songs. The scene stealers were Door na Mujse … the tamil version which fetched SPB a national award and the Choir song Roshan hui raat.
1947 Earth
Close you eyes and listen to the theme music … u will find knots in your stomach, fear then pain and tears would flow incessantly . need I say more the theme music of this movie is a masterpiece. Raat Ki daldal hai inflicts pain through sukhwinder and the music, as well as Yeh jo zindagi hai. One of hariharan’s best renditions is Dheemi Dheemi . which celebrates love . Rut aa gayi welcomes the season with Banno rani the marriage song thrown in for good effect.
Zubeida
This original story had some smooth music which was supposed to take you back in time, but didn’t not succeed as much. But this comes in my top ten purely for the musical feast it offered …. Like Main albeli, Mehendi hai Rachnewali and Dheeme Dheeme. The other songs were okay.
Pukar
Zest at its best, this album included some power packed numbers like Que sera and Humrahi jub ho mastana. Sunta hai . .was good but the chosen track is Kismat se hum .
Tamil Top Ten Albums
Alai Payuthey
A Celebration of youth … Endendrum Punaigai kickstarts this album with a peppy feel to it, Evano Oruvan is a sad song well orchestrated, Kaadhal Sadugadu … is a brilliant songs but the laurels go to Snehitaye and Pachhai Nirmae.
Duet
One of his experimental albums, he teamed up with carnatic Saxophone sensation Kadri Gopalnath to register some unforgettable songs like Anjali Anjali, Mettu podu and the sad En Kaathale. The other songs compliment the album.
Gentleman
One of his best commercial hits, absurd lyrics but brilliant music. Chikubukku started the high pitch singing trend, Ottagathai kattiko and Usalambatti pengutti became the toasts of Tamil Nadu.
Kandukondain Kandukondain
Listening to this album makes you wonder, how come this guy musters up so many tunes, a brilliant Sumbramani bharati poem has been well composed as Suttum Vizhi. Kannamoochi, Konjam Mainakale and Smiyai had even non tamilians flocking to listen, this was never remade into hindi. Enna Solla pogirai has a brilliant flute piece …worth listening.
Kannathil Muthamittal
I wont say much about this one click here to find out … https://mouthshut.com/readreview/19756-1.html
Karuthamma
A rural movie, music by Rehman! Surprised aint you … well heres where the master impresses. Kaadu pottu Kaadu is the best track, minimal rustic instruments and a folkish tune to it. Themerku and Porale are brilliant too. Worth more than a listen.
Rhythm
This one will always be close to my heart, my first review when I started off as a freelance reviewer for a magazine. Kaatre, Nathiye and Thaniye impress! Others are quite okay.
Thiruda Thiruda
Mani ratnams experimental venture had Rahman belting out . Kannum kannum and Veerapandi kotalyile. Koncham nilavu became the traditional catwalk song for college fashion shows even in Mumbai! Thee thee is a mindblowing song … must listen
Mudhalvan
The original of Nayak, the hindi version never found any takers the tamil version however was a great piece of art. Azagana Rakshaiye with its ghatam undertones and Kurruku Chirutavale are good songs. Upukaruvaadu is brilliant and so is Shakalaka Baby.
Kaadhalan
The final one and it’s the lover kaadhalan, can we forget Urvasi Urvasi, Mukaala Mukabla or the flutey Ennavale . This ensured that no one will forget his musical skills
Contd . in Comments section
