A.R. Rehman came like a cool breeze when Bollywood was scorching under the heat of repetitive and non-melodious songs. It?s only after he came on the scene that other music composers started working really hard at their songs. Yet, really no one can beat this ultimate king of melodies. So here goes my list :

1. E ajnabi (Dil Se)

The pain? the longing? the ache? This song is simply ethereal. I don?t care about the picturisation (I simply hated the movie ?Dil se?). The first time I heard this song, I had to literally sit down and hear it many, many times to absorb its intensity. It?s not a song. It?s a wound.

2. Chhaiya chhaiya (Dil Se)

This song hits you almost like a maniacal, fanatical energy. The sounds of a moving train interspersed with the music gave it a beautiful, cyclic rhythm. Whenever I hear this song, I envision my running feet?. running towards an impossible goal, made possible by sheer victory of will power. It?s a power song.

3. Dheemi dheemi (Earth)

Imagine lush green valleys with a sky overcast with clouds and the sweet, sweet sounds of birds chirping. Now imagine your desire blooming like a red rose amidst such beauty. Hariharan?s voice awakens hidden desires which are acknowledged shyly by Rahul Khanna. It?s the most romantic song I have ever heard. Can lust be so poignantly expressed ?

4. Chhoti si asha (Roja)

Innocence and enthusiasm? a desire to conquer the earth and to fly in the sky? Simple rhythm and minimal beats. This was the first song of Rehman that I had ever heard. I just loved the picturisation where Roja (Madhoo) was shown dreaming, playing, running and being as lovable as a puppy dog.

5. Kehna hai kya (Bombay)

The voice of Chitra with a qawwali in the background, the chemistry of the ultra feminine Manisha and the mucho macho Arwind Swami, the flush of first love. The notes go up and down, almost like the uncertain beating of a young heart when faced with a romantic dilemma.

6. Tu hi re (Bombay)

This song echoes off mountains and valleys, drowns in the sea and rises up again like a wish which may never be fulfilled but remains hidden, somewhere in the recesses of the heart. It may appear very gentle at the first hearing but slowly, one gets aware of the frightening passion which threatens to destroy everything if the wish is not granted.

7. O humdum suniyo re (Saathiya)

Everytime I hear this song, my eyes close and my feet start tapping on their own. Rich in composition, sung by Rehman himself, this song transports you to heaven as you imagine the moon coming inside your room and whistling. Priceless !

8. Sun ri sakhi (Humse hai muqabla)

A wild looking Prabhu Deva serenades the delicate, lovely Nagma with this song which is like poetry in movement. Hariharan magic yet again ! It has an almost classical beat at some places. If I were Nagma, I would need no more cajoling after such a sweet proposal.

9. Saathiya (Saathiya)
Amazing music, beautiful picturisation, terrific lyrics. This song is a masterpiece. It?s like a painting which you can only stare at but if someone asked you to describe its beauty, you would not be able to do justice to it. Even Sonu Nigam (who I feel is too pedestrian) sounds fantastic in this one.

10. Dil se (Dil se)
It?s amazing how beautifully Rehman composes longing and desires. His ?dil se reeeeee?..? pierces your heart. It?s a meditation, a prayer, a litany. Anything wished for with such passion is bound to come true. It?s a naked desire which when put in words, takes a shape before your eyes. The background rhythm resembles a heartbeat very closely. Artistically done !