K for Kaadhal Rojave and other songs (#AToZChallenge)
K has plenty of songs in its kitty. I have chosen eight songs as my soul songs from the list. Here they go:
Kaadhal Rojave (Roja)
What better start to K than the evergreen song from Roja? This is that number which catapulted Rahman to become a sensation. The sweet humming by Sujatha Mohan, the flute section in the interlude, and the legendary voice of S.P.B, everything is so perfect in this number. No wonder Roja finds a place in ’10 Best Soundtracks of All Time’.
Some verses from Vairamuthu’s lyrics,
“Thendral ennai theendinaal
Selai theendum nyaabagam
Chinna pookal paarkaiyil
Dhegam paartha nyaabagam
Velli odai pesinaal
Sonna vaarthai nyaabagam
Megam rendum sergaiyil
Mogam konda nyaabagam”
Listen to this beautiful song here: https://youtu.be/6wCmHxgcaek
Kaatu Sirukki (Raavanan)
I love the soundscape of this song. Perfect for a walk in the woods. This romantic number is unlike any other. It speaks about a forbidden love and the nuances of it. The upbeat rhythm, the haunting interludes, Shankar Mahadevan’s powerful voice, and Anuradha Sriram’s high-pitched rendition make this song a mystical one. Vairamuthu’s metaphoric lyrics are wonderful. My favourite lines,
“Uchanthala vagudu vazhi otha manam alaiyudhadi
Odhadu vari pallathula usur vizhundhu thavikudhadi
Paazha pona manasu pasi eduthu konda pathiyatha murikudhadi…”
Listen to this song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVzbEE9wH1M
Kahin Aag Lage (Taal):
Can I ever get over Taal? No. Never. This is that album which would make it to my personal list of ’10 Best Albums To Hear Before You Die’. Okay, what can I express about this song? I don’t know where to begin. Should I talk about the jungle type rhythm? Or should I pontificate about Asha Bhosle’s evergreen voice? Let me speak about the interludes. A vibrant amalgamation of violins, cellos, piano notes, strings and childish humming make most of the two interludes. Some beautiful lines from Anand Bakshi’s lyrics,
“Har waqt guzar jaata hai
Par dard thahar jaata hai
Sab bhul bhi jaaye koi
Kuch yaad magar aata hai…”
Listen to this smashing track here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM3E0xRCaVk
Kaise Mujhe (Ghajini)
Whenever I hear this song, I would be pulled into a dreamy reverie. Melody oozes from every corner of this romantic number. Added to the soulful tune is Benny Dayal’s silky voice and Shreya Ghoshal’s honey-dipping rendition. The interlude is replete of sitar, soft percussion, oboe, guitar strums and lilting piano notes. Talk about a true blue melody, and here it is! Prasoon Joshi’s poetic lyrics offer some great lines,
“Badle raaste jharne aur nadhi
Badle deep ki tim tim
Chede zindagi dhun koi nayi
Badle barkha ki rim jhim
Badlengi rituyein adha
Par main rahungi sadha…”
Listen to this soul-stirring composition here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5nMNt9F2JU
Kannalane Enadhu (Bombay):
Hmmm, where do I begin? Right from the ‘Gum sum gum sum gup chup’, this song is one grand celebration. Everything about this number is sure to tingle your senses. And the icing on the cake is K.S.Chitra’s nightingale voice and Rahman’s heavenly aalaap in the first interlude. This song influenced me so much while writing my baby ‘With love, forever’. Why? It appears in the story itself! My favourite lines from Vairamuthu’s verses,
“Aalaana oru seidhi ariyaamale
Alaipaayum siru bedhai naano…
Un perum en perum theriyaamale
Ullangal idam maarum yeno…
Vaai pesave vaaipillaiye
Vali theera vazhi ennavo…”
Listen to this ethereal song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3-W2D1Bqr0
Kismat Se Tum (Pukar):
Scintillating melodies are Rahman’s signature. But what if a song serenades your senses and haunts your soul forever? This is that melody that can bewitch you in an instant. With a lilting soundscape, Rahman weaves a semi-classical tune that is sure to linger in your minds for a long time. Sonu Nigam and Anuradha Paudwal are as legendary as ever. Flute sections, mellowed chorus and strings drive the interlude.
Listen to this song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy84AB-5k9k
Kun Faya Kun (Rockstar)
Sufi! Sufi! Sufi! I am possessed by Sufi music. And I can tell that this number is the purest form of Rahman’s Sufi. The spellbinding tune and Irshaad Kamil’s Arabic and Urdu lyrics make us connect to the Almighty directly. The velvety voices of Rahman and Javed Ali add to the spirituality. Harmonium and soft tabla beats intersperse naturally. Rahman gives the number a western twist by introducing few guitar strums and Mohit Chauhan’s cameo rendition.
Some songs are to be experienced. This is one such. Listen to it right away: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T94PHkuydcw
Kurukku Siruthavale (Mudhalvan)
One of Rahman’s finest compositions of the late 90s. His vintage flute section opens the number. Dholak and tabla beats cross each other and provide a beautiful soundscape for this romantic duet. Hariharan is at his best and he croons with elan, while Mahalakshmi Iyer’s fruity voice complements well. Another fantastic aspect about this song is the usage of saarangi in the interludes, which provide a rustic flavour to the number.
Listen to this song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPGbuYvfVg4
Other soulful compositions in K:
Kaadhal Kadidham from Jodi
Kaadhal Sadugudu from Alaipaayuthey
Kaatre En Vaasal from Rhythm
Kaatril Oar Vaarthai from Varalaaru
Kabhi Kabhi Aditi from Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na
Kalaiyil Dhinamum from New
Kandukondein Kandukondein from Kandukondein Kandukondein
Kannamoochi Yenada from Kandukondein Kandukondein
Kannukku Mai Azhagu (both versions) from Puthiya Mugam
Kappaleri Poiyaachu from Indian
Kathalenum Thervezhudhi from Kaadhalar Dhinam
Khamoshiyaan Gungunane from One 2 Ka 4
Konjam Nilavu from Thiruda Thiruda
Konjum Mainaakale from Kandukondein Kandukondein
Kuchi Kuchi from Bombay
Kulirudhu Kulirudhu from Taj Mahal
Kya Kare Kya Na Kare from Rangeela
Kalvare from Raavanan
Happy Listening!
Love,
Kavya Janani.U
