A R Rahman is a Music Messiah. A living legend. I feel that there are not enough words in vocabulary that can give total justice to his work. Although there are many songs of Rahman that will be always there on my life’s soundtrack, I will try to list my most favorite 11(I couldn’t eliminate any song out of this list and ended up with 11!) songs in random order.
> Please note that this list is totally my personal choice. I am not trying to ‘judge’ any of these songs; all choices are made out of my personal experience with these songs.
- O Paalanhare [Lagaan]: I usually wake up at 6:00 am in the morning and often start my day with this soulful & divine song. Lata has sung this song wonderfully. I also loved the way Udit starts the line Jo suno, to kahen. *(roughly translates as *I will ask you if you are willing to listen, this particular tune comes from Lagaan theme music). A masterpiece.
- E Ajnabi [Dil Se.]: A pining, heart-melting melody. When I listen to the violin interlude(after the first stanza), I can feel the music diluting in my heart, my mind. there is so much pain and yearning in this song that if often leaves me whimpering. Hats off to Rahman’s music and Udit’s singing.
- Vellai Pookal [Kannathil Muthamittal]: Even though I don’t understand Tamil, this is one of my favorite songs of all time. Music needs no language; in fact Music itself is a language. Soothing sound of guitar and wonderful rendition by Rahman. I tried to understand the lyrics with some help from my Tamil friend, and it sounds like Vairamuthu did a great job here.
- Chale Chalo [Lagaan]: Whenever I feel down, whenever I feel like I need some boost, I listen to this song. This song is like an endless source of energy. Every time, after listening to this song, I feel as if some of the energy has been transferred into myself. The song was also picturized very well onscreen.
- Bombay Theme [Bombay]: Flute and violin. When listening to this tune, I feel like meditating, I feel like I am in the clouds, flying like a bird. Such a calming and relaxing melody. This song is like a treasure to me. Thanks Rahman, for giving us this(and many more) treasure!
- Chhaiya Chhaiya [Dil Se.]: A perfect balance between mass and class, between hindustani and sufi music, between art and masala. Sukhvinder rocks in this song. Superb lyrics by Gulzar. Taveez bana ke pehnu use aayat ki tarha mil jaaye kaheen.(Come to me as a sign from God, and I will wear you as a locket)
- Dheeme Dheeme [1947 Earth]: This is my favourite song for humming! The pace of this song is so smooth that it grows on mind like some kind of Nasha. Great singing by Hariharan. Great lyrics by Javed Akhtar.
- Kismat Se [Pukar]: A very nice duet sung by Sonu Nigam and Anuradha Paudwal. It begins with a low note and then goes on a very high pitch in the mukhda/interludes. I particularly like this song because of the twists in the tune/tempo - especially the way they sing Teqdeeron ko. and the way song reaches to Hosh mein chaahat ab aayee.(Now my love has come to realization)
- Naina Milaike [Saathiya]: This is a Bihari style song. Three ladies sing a song about their lover, asking them to stay away from dishonesty - in an innocent coaxing metaphorical way. This song is kinda naughty and very cute. I specially liked the line Dil ki kachaharee., dil ki kachaharee mukadama chalay hain…
- Piya Haji Ali [Fiza]: I can feel the utter zeal/passion for the Supreme Being in this song. The song has a haunting effect on me. Kadar Ghulam
Mustafa, Murtaza Ghulam Mustafa, Srinivas & Rahman himself have superbly sung this sufi song. I think this song doesn’t have a universal effect, though. You have to like sufi style songs in order to like this song.
- Roja Janeman [Roja]: How can this list be complete without one song from Roja, huh? One of Rahman’s best work ever. I don’t think any other song starts with such a promising note. The harmony - sung by Mahalakshmi and accompanied by a heavy bass guitar - is simply awesome. Both Hariharan and SP versions are great, but I prefer the later.
Every time I listen to these(and many more) songs of mastero Rahman, I salute this man, not literally, but you know what I mean!