10 Best Songs of A.R.Rahman – Toughest Challenge Ever
I love challenges! As a staunch Rahmaniac, I challenged myself to choose just 10 best songs of Rahman. These are the songs that I’d recommend to anyone who’s approaching me to introduce them to Rahman’s music. This was the toughest job ever, but I somehow chose these numbers.
P.S: This list will not cater to your liking. Your list of ten songs will be completely different from mine. So, no mockery or belittling comments allowed here.
1. Poongatrile (Uyire)
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Though Aye Ajnabi from Dil Se is the original, I prefer the Tamil version. This song shaped my book With Love, Forever so much that the very first line of the book has this song’s title in it. Whenever someone asks me to name just one favourite Rahman song, I’d tell this one (though my heart would break and my mind would shatter into thousand pieces for not telling 100 other favourites).
Lines from my tribute post:
This song is the epitome of poignancy. Poetic lyrics, Unni Menon’s effervescent voice, Swarnalatha’s heartrending cameo, and a combination of heavy violin and strings in the interludes make this number an uplifting listen.
2. Anjali Anjali (Duet)
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Based on the raga Maand, which signifies love and warmth, this heart-melting duet is a must-listen. If you are craving for some rich music, listen no further than this song. You can find an ode written by me for this song here: A for Anjali Anjali (#AToZChallenge).
3. Kun Faaya Kun (Rockstar)
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Because, this number is my lifeline. As simple as that. Whenever I want to experience divinity and feel the presence of the Supreme Power, all I have to do is just close my eyes and listen to this song.
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.
The above lines are my ode written in one of my previous posts.
4. Masakali (Delhi-6)
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Are you going like, ‘WHAT THE HELL!’? But, I say, ‘Why not?’ Yes, I have said a thousand times over social media that this song led to my Rahman Awakening. This was that one song which made me decide that I want to be a hardcore Rahmaniac for the rest of my life.
Some lines from my ode:
Have you ever heard of a song that is both inspiring and stylish? I would strongly recommend this upbeat number for people who feel that nothing is going well in their life. Masakali not only boasts of varied musical nuances, it is also like an anthem for all youngsters. Accordion notes open the song and a soft percussion wafts to your ears. Then begins the contagious tune that drove the nation into a frenzy in 2009. Mohit Chauhan’s playful rendition peps up the folksy flavour of the number. Prasoon Joshi’s awe-inspiring lyrics contain some beautiful advice for woebegone people.
Listen to Masakali right away!
5. Taal Se Taal (Taal)
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Yet another number that had a huge significance in my life and shaped my book. There is a reference to this song in the book and also I have named a chapter as ‘Match Your Rhythm With Mine’.
Lines from my ode:
Taal Se Taal is a number that can drench you in pure love. With a heartwarming tune, this song is a perfect listen on a rainy evening. Rahman weaves magic by indulging in some mellowed dholak beats, flute sections, violins, and water droplet sounds. Alka Yagnik’s maudlin voice flows like honey in the ears, while Udit Narayanan’s nasal tone complements well. The radiant female chorus is yet another beautiful aspect of this number.
6. Urvasi Urvasi (Kaadhalan)
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This song really changed my perspective about seriousness. It taught me that I shouldn’t take too many things to my heart and I should follow the ‘take it easy policy’. It also reminds me of how time is running out and that I must begin things right then and not wait for the right time.
7. Piya Milenge (Raanjhanaa)
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Another song that can move you to tears, if you are on the path to spirituality. This soul-stirring Sufi-based song is one Rahman’s finest works in the past decade. Once you start listening to it, you’ll never get enough of it.
Lines from my ode:
Yes! This is yet another song which acted as a catalyst while writing my baby ‘With love, forever’. This utterly meditative Sufi fusion number is peppered with Sukhwinder Singh’s divine rendition, KMMC Sufi Ensemble’s empowering chorus, and some religious hymns from Quran. Irshad Kamil’s heavenly lyrics make this number an absolute inspiration for many.
8. Kannalane (Bombay)
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Mind-blowing is an understatement when it comes to this soulful melody of the 90s. This number also has a reference in my book. A beautiful qawwali section in the first interlude makes this an evergreen classic.
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.
9. Vennilave Vennilave (Minsaara Kanavu)
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If there is one love duet that I’d make you listen, then this is the one. This ultimate melody is a great companion on lonely nights. Lie under the moonlit sky, plug in your earphones, and get lost in this number.
My ode to this song is a long one and you can read it here: V for Vennilave Vennilave (#AToZChallenge)
10. Malargal Kaettaen (OK Kanmani)
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If it is Kun Faaya Kun in Hindi, it is Malargal Kaettaen in Tamil. Whenever I listen to this song, I can feel the presence of the Supreme Power.
Some lines from my ode:
This is a pure Carnatic based song that stirs your soul from the first listen. Chitra’s mellifluous voice seamlessly flows along with the ethereal tune. Get ready to listen to Rahman in a never heard before avatar. His sangadhis are pitch-perfect and we’d be left wondering why he doesn’t foray into classical singing. Some mellowed tabla beats and Ragman’s vintage flute make up the interludes.
What are your choices of ten Rahman songs? Let me know in the comments below.
Love,
Kavya Janani. U
