I am going to attempt something rather bizarre, something that is perhaps virtually impossible to any degree of flawlessness. Since I have committed myself into doing this, I should back myself and move forward and try to list my personal choice of AR Rahman's five greatest songs. This is without doubt a very challenging task as there are umpteen numbers of songs that have the mark of the class and greatness of this great musician par excellence. So to deduce the greatest five from such a large number of songs is going to be a really hard task and certainly I have got my task cut out. And now, here is my pick of five of the greatest songs by AR Rahman.
1. Nahin Samne (Taal) –Perchance, the greatest soundtrack that I’ve ever heard in my lifetime. This great and unique composition by Rahman will take you to another world. The western classical style of music of this love pathos song is the most memorable experience of any listener who listens to this amazing album. The rendition by Hariharan is equally breathtaking. The piece of music created at the beginning with Piano contains the full essence of this song. Only a musical genius like AR Rahman can create such mellifluous song and equal appreciation is due to Hariharan for his soulful rendition.
2. Sonnalum Ketpathillai (Kadhal Virus) – My second most favorite song from AR Rahman. The song starts with the use of one of Rahman’s most favorite musical instruments, the flute or the ‘pullanguzhal’. This semi classical soulful romantic number from the album Kadhal Virus is without doubt one of the best songs in the semi classical genre in Indian film music. The Carnatic music training received by both singers, Unnikrishnan and Harini, is very much evident in this great song. The clever use of chorus singers, one trademark quality of Rahman, is also quite apparent in this melodious number.
3. Oru Poiyavathu Sol Kanne (Jodi) – This song comes in a very rare genre in Tamil film music – Ghazal. There are three renditions of the same song in that film by three different singers – Sujatha, Srinivas and Hariharan. But it is the one by Hariharan that makes you understand that this is not yet another ordinary song that you have grown up hearing, but is a rare jewel from the music maestro. It is a love pathos song, made in the Ghazal style, sung by one of the greatest in the Hindustani classical music, Hariharan. The way in which Hariharan gives sound to the emotions of the song is really amazing and the beauty of the music is enhanced by its lyrics. This is a one-of-the-kind song and is a must hear for any music lover.
4. Kannathil Muthamittal (Kannathil Muthamittal) – This song, it seems, is in the list of almost all Rahman song listeners as one of his greatest. One of the greatest compositions of all times, this song has got two versions, one sung by Chinmayee and the other sung by the Malayalee legend Jayachandran. Rahman has given two different shades for both these songs, but both are equally good. One with the sweet, naïve voice of the young Chinmayee and the other with the elegant and matured voice of the great Jayachandran. But both these songs are equally enchanting and makes you feel that the music is coming from yet another world and is taking you together with it to the other world as well.
5. Chinna Chinna Aasai (Roja) – Roja is one among Time Magazine’s best 10 soundtracks ever produced in this world and that itself is more than enough to describe this great album by Rahman. It is really hard to believe that this is Rahman’s debut album. In that album, Rahman comes up this astonishing number, ‘Chinna Chinaa Aasai’, sung by the very talented Minmini. This great number had brought an astounding freshness to the Tamil film songs at that time with never-heard-before style of orchestration and with Rahman’s unique jingle rhythms. The humming by Rahman himself at the middle of this song gives it a real punch and the songs lands straight into the hearts of the listeners. Surely one of the greatest songs ever made in Indian film industry or in the World film industry as designated by the Time Magazine.
I must confess that this is a very subjective list of songs and there is no guarantee that this will be line with the thoughts of a second person or a third one. I would like the readers to give their list and also opine about what they think about the list that I’ve created. I would greatly appreciate feedback from the readers as Shashi Tharoor once said, “feedback is the lifeblood of the columnist.” The personal choices of the people may differ, but I am pretty sure that there won’t be an argument on the assertion of the greatness of this music wizard, AR Rahman and on the claim that he is one of the greatest music directors India has ever produced, if not the best.
1 comment:
The songs u listed were one of the greatest soundtracks, the genius ever produced.
but i intend to write my choices here,
1. Kathal raojavea sung by legentary S.P.B.
This was one of the greatest ever composition made by the legentary A R R and voice modulation of SPB was great, going through the feeling of a lover very well.
2. Kanalanea by Chitra
What can i say abt this beautiful melody, one of the great song chitra has rendered, and humming of rehman also worth mentioning, and it also made this a out of the world composition.
3. Ee Ajnabi by Udit narayanan
Its unimaginable that udit has rendered his voice to this song. its showing the genius of ARR, to give this song to udit, who always done some peppy numbers before. one of the great compositions ever made in Hindi.ARR preffered Light instruments in this song, it will take u to another world by its simplicity
4. Nahin Samne by Hariharan
Its in ur list and also in my list, as u said its one of its kind and voice rendered by hariharan have a special mention. In ARR-Hariharan combo, there is also Two compositions to be mentioned one is Dheeme Dheeme from Earth and Uyire. but I prefer this one from Taal
5, En Swasa Kaatre by MG Sreekumar
I was in a deliemma when picking this song, two songs were in my mind, the other one being Sandana thendralai by Shanker Mahadevan from Kanukondain. But i preffered this song becoz, it being one of the great composition sung by our sreekuttan. it was a surprise packet from the genius as he choose MG to sung two song in this album. but MG obliged ARR, to create a classic, and other being Chinna chinna Mazhai thuli.
The comments expressed above is of my views.
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