The Dawn of the Genius- Pudu Vellai Malai from Roja (1992) - The beginning swell and cascade of golden notes..such sophisticated beauty and sparkling clarity of sound design was unheard of before in Indian music.I was yet to enter adolescence when I heard this song for the first time,its grand flow swirling and falling all around me like a rain of diamonds.I froze in my tracks- music too ethereal for earth has that effect.
The apotheosis of a clarinet- Kadri Gopalnath's supreme rendition of the theme song of 'Duet'- Formidable and humbling at the same time...the film didn't deserve the song but its conception was conspired in order to give us bliss!
Mighty Instrumentals- 'Malargale' from Lovebirds - a muscular orchestra alternates with melodious vocals, 'Meherbaan' from Tehzeeb- in addition to good lyrics,there's Asha Bhosle's eclectic range on display,an inspired flute cameo and a super orchestra; Ishq bina Version 2 (Taal)
Wish all devotional music was like this!- Piya Haaji Ali (Fiza),O Palanahare (Lagaan)
Achingly beautiful -- Anjali Anjali (Duet) Vocals by the truly special Chitra and sporting some beautiful sea-side mid-song picturization of Meenakshi Sheshadri, this is one of the master's greatest compositions...
Violent bracing ebullience- New/Naani title song (2004)- a marvel of deftly tuned heavy beats, 'Beera Beera'- aptly rambunctious celebration of the alpha hero-bandit in Raavan, Yuva title song (wish the film had better lived up to the this title song's invigorating promise/premise)
The Meaning of Rhythm- "Chikubuku Raile" -super saxophone! and "Ottagathai Kottiko" both from Gentleman- two uber songs different in soul but featuring the same rhythmic brilliance.
Urvashi Urvashi (Tamil rendition) from Kaadalan- The call of the muezzin is given a sublime stylish spin..And the fantastic breakdance of Prabhudeva (supremely evidenced in "Chikubuku raile") finds fortunate foil
The Pure distilled essence of Love- 'Ae ajnabi"- (by Udit Narayan ,one of all-time great singers) from Dil se, 'Pyaar ye jaane kaisa hai' - the naked soul of unrequited love...from Rangeela ; O Re Chori (Lagaan)- so duclet,so heart-warming! an ideal showcase for a duet between Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik) ,'Tu hi re'- an expression of profound yearning silk-spun in the eminently evocative and delicate vocals by Hariharan and Kavitha Krishnamurthy -from Bombay; 'Saathiya' title song (all the mellifluous colours of the rainbow are painted by Sonu Nigam); Chupke se by Sadhana Sargam from Saathiya; Jashn E Bahaara -Jodha Akbar; "Netru illatha matram" -Pudiya mugam
The Beautiful remains of Apocalypse- 'Bombay' theme song (later re-mixed superbly by another inspired artiste)
100% instrumentation (apart from some of the above mentioned titles)- , Mosquito- from Connections- Get set for a rhythmic orgy of the Sarangi and percussion, Beat of passion- Taal
Submerged in Sufism- "Noor Un-ala" from Meenaxi - this song is best enjoyed with its video, which accentuates the knee-weakening heart-leaping fascination of the male protagonist towards his muse.
Inspirational - Chale Chalo from Lagaan
Marvellous Fusion- 'Sabaq aisa"- Tehzeeb (highly stylized but effective fusion of Islamic notes and modern music- with a seductive saxophone finish), 'Kehna hi kya'- ( fantastic qawwali segment plus an exquisite,wistful voice) from Bombay, Jiya jale- a wonderfully layered song set amidst the cool enchantment of Kerala backwaters- from Dil Se ; Dhuan Dhuan (Meenaxi)- Asha Bhosle again sings a complex composition for the maestro.
Top prize for a lullaby- Pyaara sa gaon- by Lata M - Zubeidaa- the same film also has a rare gypsy treat- Main Albeli- a cotton-candy rendition spun by Kavitha Krishnamoorthy
Rustic rhythm annointed with the genius touch- Yuhi Chala (surprisingly goes from strength to strength) and Ek Tara (what would have been made mundane from others is transformed by the baton/wand of the alchemist!) both from 'Swades'
Unique self-renditons- Dil Se title track (the strings & percusion segment 2/3rd of the way into this audio-visual dazzler is a little master-class in foot-tapping music), Vande Maataram-Maa tujhe salaam; Ye jo des hai tera-Swades, Luka Chupi- Rang De Basanti, Bin tere kya jeena- Guru
Mother-son bond...Death has no dominion- "Lukka Chupi" from Rang De basanti- a special collaboration between two titans- Rahman and Lata
Top music even for forgettable films- "Khaamoshiyaan" (I somehow find a Vedic redolence in this song!) for 1,2 ka 4
A Study in Pacing- Ramta jogi (Taal) note how this song slowly accelerates ,skilfully incorporates Spanish accents and then speeds forward with inexorable exhilaration; Shakalaka baby- Tamil- Mudalvan- a playful super rendition by Vasundhara Das- the song powers forth at a fever pitch,charting a roller-coaster of variations on the central turbo-rhythm! ; Rang De (from Thakshak- when G.Nihalani made a commercial film,he had the good sense to recruit Rahman!) ,Sa-re-ga-me from Boys, Thee thee from Thiruda Thiruda - witness the sublime sensual chiraoscuro of its visual canvas ; 'Saawariya' from Swades (rising,dipping and deep notes all fluidly conveyed by the outstanding Alka Yagnik) ,Baba neeku mokkutha and Maaya Maaya (Udit Narayaan) both from Telugu version of Baba(2002),
Assorted Melodies- Kissa hum likhenge (Dholi sajake rakhna)- Anuradha Paudwaal with her nectar-dipped vocals returns to sing for Rahman; Azhage Sugama from Parthale Pravasam; Kandukondaen Kandukondaen title song; Ennavale- Kaadalan; Kismat se tum humko mile ho (Pukar); Nahin Saamne -Hariharan's gossamer accomplishment from Taal
The Sweet Virginal voice- Ishq bina (version 1) by Anuradha Sriram from Taal, 'Telephone manipol' by Harini- from Indian
Commendable music despite heavy international pressure and misguided packaging of his music - Bombay Dreams for Broadway audiences
After aeons,they give you the Oscar and Grammy for music which is far from your best!- Slumdog millionaire
Soulful Elegy -So Gaye Hain-(version 1 & 2) -Zubeidaa
Patriotism with pizzazz- Vande maataram- Maa tuje salaam- a deeply patriotic song fashioned with passion into a stylish chart-buster
Dil Se (Special mention)- What are the odds that one of the greatest films of all time also featured smash-hit music? The most magnificent example of the ordained collaboration between Rahman and Mani Rathnam (who deserves a Nobel prize for discovering Rahman!) and the one film that matches fibre for fibre the quality of Rahman's art. Also,the back-ground music in this film has a visceral beauty,a mystic resonance...
When I'm jaded and need inspiration,I sometimes use the magic of Rahman's music to invigorate the spirit; and when I sometimes have atheistic thoughts,this man makes me find God.
UPN
