Maestro A.R Rahman's Top 10 Songs. Review on Ten Best Songs of A.R.Rahman

* Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration. -Thomas Alva Edison

Good, better, best; never let it rest till your good is better and your better is best. -Anonymous

INTRODUCTION

A.R. Rahman needs no introduction. He has done a tremendous work for Indian Cinema and the entire music fraternity. From humble beginnings as a keyboard player for some average music directors to composing music for a Broadway bound Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, this whiz kid from Chennai has come a long way. What is quite so surprising is that he kept his modesty to the barest minimum, acknowledging his entire feat as blessings of the Almighty. Irrespective of the faith, one must sincerely acknowledge the creativity and innovation of this musical genius. He came in at the right time to Tamil Film Industry, when the maestro Ilayaraja was at the end of his career(He still comes up with great music, albeit at a slower pace). He had set a trend to Indian music. This genius discovered by another genius that is a thirsty mind for excellence(Mani Rathnam), is a crown jewel for Indian film industry. While we have to agree that he indeed comes up with croppy number sometimes, one has to agree to the fact that not all can be exceptional all the time. It would be foolish for all of us to expect Sachin to hit a century in each match or Mani Ratnam to give super duper hits all the time.

ARR has proven what a prodigy he is. He is a born genius and there are very few in India against whom we have so many expectations set on. If they fail, they fall harder. He has done miserably in few of his films too, just like Sachin failed to McGrath's delivery in the world cup. Likewise some of his scores are as exquisitively tasty as the demolition of Pakistan in the WC or the Aussies at Sharjah by Sachin.

Without further adieu, I shall present my two-part presentation on Best and worst of A.R. Rahman. The greatest musical genius from India.

HIS TOP TEN - IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER

Φ Chinna Chinna Aasai / Dil Hai Chotta Sa - Roja

Who can forget the song that launched this great composer? The song that won him the national award. The song that set the great trio of Mani-Vairamuthu & Rahman on sail? The song that gave a living to P.K.Mishra? The only film/song that made the otherwise despicable Madhu famous

This composition is a great work. The lyrics is simple yet effective. The instruments are simply phenomenal and great. Wow! What a lyrics, picturization and beats? Easily the best from the master

Φ Nahin Samne - Taal

This song from the box office dud'Taal' from the showman Subhash Ghai is the only finer point I could remember. I remember seeing this song quite a few times, mainly due to the beats and music. While I am not very well versed in Hindi, I deciphered the lyrics and followed it quite easily. The change in beat is exceptional and you have a great mix of percussion and string instruments. A perfect combination and deadly lyrics make this a great song

Φ Tanha Tanha - Rangeela

This song made Urmila the heartthrob of the Nation. This song is great in many dimensions for perfect use of melodius instruments. The singing by Asha was ethereal and quite unbelievable. She gave the song a great touch and rest was done by ARR. The picturization was also perfect. ARR's entry into the bollywood was in a grandeur fashion with this great song. Perfect use of proper instruments.

Φ Minnale  - May Maadham

This movie is relatively unknown and was acted by unknown actors as well. This movie was one of the greatest flops but is remembered for the great songs composed by ARR. Minnale is an exceptionally rendered piece and SPB has given a great soul to the song. The lyrics are awesome and so is the composition of instrumental variations. ARR's use of keyboard, piano, violin is simply awesome.

Φ Kannuku Mai Azhagu – Pudhiya Mugam

This movie is a dud as well. The song is a superb piece. ARR-Vairamuthu Combo did an excellent job in this one. The lyrics was quite awesome. The startup beat and the violin tempo into the song is superb. Before you hear a word in the form of lyrics, you are into the song fully, just like Nahin Samne by ARR. The violin was used to perfection by ARR, in this one.

Φ Snehidane - Alai Payuthey

Sadhna Sargam was divinely in this song. The lyrics was exceptional and the buildup to the song in a precursor lyrics, chorus and beats is exceptional. The song had very minimal instrumental influence, yet most powerful and dynamic piece of lyrics in an effervescent piece of music. A heart throbbing and draining song by ARR

Φ Kaadhal Kaditham Ketkave - Jodi

This song is great piece of music by ARR. This was in Doli Sajake Rakhna as well. This song is simply awesome. The lyrics and the beats are exceptional. The picturization of Toronto, Niagara Falls were quite extra ordinary and I felt how greatly it was picturized, when I visited these places. I sorely missed listening to the song when I was there. The song is quite extraordinary and the instruments are simply superb. The echo and the utterence of words by Janaki was simply out of the world. The choice of using Janaki was rightfully awarded, as this song was a chartbuster.

Φ Anjali Anjali - Duet

Kadri Gopalnath and his magical saxophone gave this song an outstanding effect and the song is simply awesome. The tempo and duet of Saxophone versus the other instruments as well as the singing is simply superb. While one may think the saxophone won over the other instruments, the clear winners are the listeners. You are treated with an exceptional gem of a musical piece. One of the early greats by ARR

Φ Narumugaiye - Iruvar

Nothing came come similar to this song. This song is so purile, perfect and effervescent. Depicting an old period in Tamil literature, the lyrics is clearly exceptional with the colloquial words used around 400-300 BC, around the time of'Pura Naanooru'. The use of flute, violin and other instruments was used to perform a perfect symphony by the master. An Exceptional piece of music and a clear winner too.

Φ Chandralekha - Thiruda Thiruda

I clearly remember the initial introduction and tempo this song had. No other ARR song had so many tempos, in my opinion. The glass breaking was simply too much for me. While this film may be the worst of Mani Ratnam, this song will be remembered in Indian filmdom for its great uniqueness and innovation embedded to it by the great master. An exceptional piece of music by ARR. Anupama gave the song the much-needed soul with a husky voice. A great song to relish as well.

CONCLUSION

It is just too difficult to choose the best from ARR. It may be easier to choose the worst from him. I have done my own share of research. I have almost heard all songs by ARR(Yes even the 1-2-ka-4 ones and Baba ones as well). While he has his ups and downs in the music, I feel that the success rate his songs are well over the average of the Industry. He is leaps and bounds ahead of others in the industry. While he has healthy competition, he has become a busier man. I sincerely hope he completes his assignments and continues to enthrall us the old way, with his exceptional film music.

I hope you liked my review. Do comment and let me know of your choices too.

KALIL