The year was 1993. Mani Ratnam made an all-time-great movie called ‘Roja’. The music of ‘Roja’ was different, brilliant and classy. The music director was a shy young man called A. R. Rehman . Roja – the movie and the songs were appreciated a lot. ‘Yeh Haseen waadiyan’ and ‘Roja Jaaneman’ were refreshingly romantic.
The best song in the collection was this rare patriotic song-

1)Bharat hum ko jaan se pyaara hain – Roja

In 1995, Rehmaan composed great music for Maniratnam’s ‘Bombay‘. There was the cute and melodious ‘kehna hi kya’ . But the real challenge for Rehman was the soulful ‘Tu hi re’‘. This song was written and picturized first, and then Rehman was asked to compose the music. He took that challenge and came up with a sad yet passionate tune.

2)Kehna hi kya- Bombay

3)Tu hi re- Bombay

“Passion” - that seems to be the essence of Rehman’s music. His fast tracks make the world dance. Even his romantic or sad songs contain that ‘passion’ factor that sets them apart from the rest.
The movie ‘Sapnay’ had the sweet‘ Awara Bhavaren’ and crazy ‘Oh la la la’. But, the best song in Sapnay was the less famous ‘Chanda re chanda re’- a sleepy slow track.

4)Chanda re chanda re- Sapnay

In 1995, his ‘Rangeela’ songs created a craze. I remember playing the ‘Rangeela’ cassette again and again in the car and yet not getting bored. But then that’s the specialty of Rehman, his songs have a long shelf life.

5)Pyar yeh jaane kaisa hain- Rangeela

Maniratnam’s movie Dil se also had Rehman’s music. Though the movie wasn’t a big hit, Rehman’s music sure was. The dance number “Chhaiyya Chhaiyya” and “Jiya Jale” were simply brilliant, but the most amazing song was “A Ajnabi”- so romantic and dreamy, it makes you fall in love with it…

6)A ajnabi tu bhi kabhi awaaz de kahin se- Dil se

His movie albums are always ‘balanced’- with some fast and some slow tracks. For every “Ke Sera Sera”, there is one “ kismat se tum humko mile”.

7)Kismat se tum hum ko mile- Pukaar

One of his best works is for the movie ‘Taal’. His music practically saved this movie (and its maker) from falling flat on the face. ‘Ishq bina’, ‘taal se taal mila’ and ‘kahin aag lage’ had the typical Rehman Rhythm.
One of my all time favorites is Kariye na ,koi waada kisi ke . I love the way it starts with ‘Ni sa re sa sa…’
‘Nahi saamne’ creates a smoggy foggy rainy mood as it reaches its second stanza with ‘bade jor ki aaj barsaat hain….’

8) Nahi Saamne- Taal

In 2001, Rehmaan composed the music of ‘Lagaan’.. It’s an excellent album. Lagaan music grows on you. There is the traditional dance number ‘Radha kaise na jale’, the devotional ‘O Paalanhaare’    and rainy ‘Ghanan Ghan’.

9)Chale Chalo- Lagaan

Circa 2003. It’s been 10 years. The work that he has done in this span is astounding. The once shy musician is now seen acting in TV advertisement. Will he continue to work like he did with Roja, Bombay and Taal? Or will he go after international acclaim now? Only time will tell.
His latest big hit is Saathiya. All the songs are excellent.

10)Mangalyam – Saathiya

Passion…. Richness… use of many instruments…and a wide range from dance numbers to slow soulful songs in each album- that’s the Signature of Rehman.

I hope you enjoyed reading this review as much as I enjoyed writing it while humming those wonderful songs!

PS: Please refer to comments section for additional songs.