May 21, 2002 02:03 PM
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(Updated May 21, 2002 02:03 PM)
Trying to select 10 best songs of Rahman is like selecting selected drops in an ocean! For a master who has given hits galore, its literally impossible to do justice by selecting just 10. however, I have tried to list my favorite songs of Rahman. Obviously, I might have left some songs out, but none the less, they are Rahman’s gems. So here goes- My favorite 10 songs.
Kehna hi kya- Bombay
An absolute gem of a song. Chitra’s vocals are mesmerizing, as well as the https://lyrics. The slow start with just claps as a background was something which appealed to me very much. Add to that Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s short qawalli inbetween takes this song to a new level. Truly, one of A.R.Rahman’s Truly BEST!
Roja-Roja
The film that announced the coming of A.R.Rahman. For the first time probably, a sad song with octopad was used I guess. The result was a great, haunting and a melodious song. The female voice in the song in background again is just superb.
Yeh Haseen vadiyan-Roja
From the same film ‘roja’, this is another classic and all time favorite song of mine. The best part is the way Rahman begins the song slowly with a humming sound( probably bass guitar) and transcends brilliantly with piano into a slow beat and echos. The lyrics are good too, but again, what makes the song more beautiful is the music which comes in between the paras of the song. Overall, a amazing song.
Chikbuku Chikbuku Raile-Gentleman
If there is one guy who could guy the ‘perfect’ peppy music, it has to be Rahman. I don’t understand tamil, but the very tune of this song makes me start tapping my feet. What a superb tune this song has. Add to this, the way Rahman mixes the ‘train’ effect in the song is great. The pauses in the beats are just right and come at the best times of the song. A great song this.
Dil hain sanam dil-Chor Chor(Thiruda Thiruda)
Everyone knows Rahman’s verstality with Classical songs. This song aptly demonstrates it. Only Rahman could mix bass guitar, tabla, drums with a classical tune! No one can beat this song in the way which Rahman mixes modern music with classical tune. Add to that some amazing vocals by Chitra, making this song even more wonderful than it sounds.
Chanda Re Chanda Re-Sapnay
A slow melodious song from ‘Sapnay’ is another of Rahman’s gems. The best part is Rahman hardly uses more than 3 or 4 instruments in the songs. The highlight of the song is the tune of stanzas of the song, where the whole pitch remains high, and then comes down for the Antra of the song. Hariharan with his magic voice added his touch to the song and made this the best song of the film.
Radha Kaise na Jale-Lagaan
The best song from the modern day classic ‘lagaan’ is one of his most creative tunes yet. The ethnic touch which he gives to the song, and also chosing the right person to sing this song make this a song to remember. A slow, dandiya song with lots of ethnic drums and flutes ( how I love them!) make this a song which no true A.R.Rahman fan will forget ever.
Kaadhal Sadhgudu-Alai Payuthey
Another genius tune from the master. Again, it’s the tune which hooked me to the song. The best of the song is the near absence of any music in between stanzas. Also, the song has the same tune throughout, the same pitch and never goes beyond it. But, it’s a tune to hear to. Rahman’s love of using least amount of background instruments is well heard here(?), where except for bass there is hardly anything!
E Ajnabi-Dil Se
This is one of my ALL ALL time favorite song. That’s the reason I mention it last too. What an amazing tune and composition this song has. One can literally feel the pain of the lover in this song. Again, Rahman’s use of ethnic instruments and pahadi music is simply out of the world. And to his credit, Udit Narayan simply gave the remaining soul to the song, by singing it brilliantly. This is definitely one of the best songs I have ever ever heard.
And as I do in most of my reviews, I am not going to list the tenth one simply because, there is no tenth song! All the songs which I list are gems in themselves, and should have found a place here, but the constraints of the topic don’t let me list them in detail. So the songs for my tenth spot are:
Katre **– Rhythm
Snehidanen, Pachchai Nirame, Alaipayuthey - Alai Payuthey.
All the remaining songs of roja not listed here.
All songs of Dil Se not listed here!
All songs of Bombay not listed here!
Chitralekha – Thiruda Thiruda
O bhavre – Daud
Dekha nahi tujhko kal se, Mustafa Mustafa, Hello Doctor - Duniya Dilwalon Ki
Theme of Bombay
Spirit of Rangeela
…
…
And so on and on and on.
Happy Listening!
