The name A R Rahman needs no introduction .The man who redefined contemporary Indian music and is the pride of the entire nation and an idol for millions all over the world needs no preamble. But if you happen to be one, still among the few unfortunate souls, who are a stranger to him and his heavenly music, then read on!
Allah Rakha Rahman was born to a musical affluent family as A.S.Dileep Kumar on 6th of January, 1966 in Chennai. Rahman started learning piano at the age of 4, he joined Ilayaraja’s troupe as a keyboard player at the age of 11. Dropped out of school Rahman
travelled all around the world. He studied Western Classical music at the Trinity College of music.
A R Rahman has given numerous gems to the Indian music industry and has been winning hearts around the globe during 15 years of his career.Here are SOME of my favourite songs composed by him!
~Maa tujhe salaam and Gurus of peace(Vande Mataram):
Vande Mataram was the first ARR’s album(and the only one till now.alas!)
Maa Tujhe Salaam is the first song that comes to my mind when I think of RAHMAN!The song has a power to attract our souls and it surely fills in the feeling of patriotism in everyone’s heart.
One more song from the same album is the Gurus of Peace.This was the attemp made by ARR to spread the message of World peace.The gurus of peace are ARR and Late Nusrat Fateh Ali khan.The song is magical.The way Nusratji has sung. it adds a special flavour. One important feature of this song, is a peculiar audio mixing in the final portions, where Nusratji’s voice is almost drowned by the instruments. The balance maintained in this portion, where you can hear all the instruments and the voices at the same level, giving an impression that one will drown the other, is something I haven’t heard before. Its truly phenomenal!
My favorite lines from The Gurus of Peace are:
"Chanda Sooraj lakhon taare .
hai jab tere hi yeh saare.
Kis baat pe hoti hai phir Takrarein."
~O rey Chhori(Lagaan)
"O Rey Chhori is a really cute romantic song.The trio part of the song is great. Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik sing the Hindi portions of this song while Vasundhara Das does her best for the English ones. The portions combining the three singers are when the song gains more appeal. The English-Hindi/Western-Eastern contrast is actually quite cool.
The lines from the english portion goes something like.:
"My heart it speaks a thousand words.
I feel iternal Bliss.The roses spout.
Their scarlet mouths.Like offering a kiss.
No drop of rain.no glowing flame.
has ever been so pure .
If being in love can feel like this then i am in love for sure." *
~Saathiyaa and Chupke se(Saathiyaa)
These are the two songs which are very close to my heart …Both these songs are sung and penned soooo beautifully that you feel like listening to them time and again!The title track is sung none other than Sonu Nigam and Chupke se is sung by Sadhana Sargam in her melodious voice!
My favourite lines from the song chupke se are:
*“Doston se jhootee mootee doosaron ka naam le ke phir meree baatein karnaa.
yaaraa raath se din karnaa
lambee judaayee teree badaa mushkil hai aahon se dil bharnaa
yaaraa raath se din karnaa
kab ye pooree hogi door ye dooree hogi
kab ye pooree hogi door ye dooree hogi roz safar karnaa….
yaaraa raath se din karnaa."*
~Piya Haji Ali(Fiza)
A R Rahman says that he gets all his inspiration from Allah! And that really shows in all his Sufi songs…all outstanding just like this one!This is the only song of ARR in Fiza but is truly outstanding!
~Roobaroo(Rang de Basanti)
Wow!Is the word that comes to ur lips after hearing this one! The verve in Rahman and Iyer’s voices, coupled with the jingling mood and bouncy guitar play, give Roobaroo the feel of a picnic.It’s about fire inside, light inside and brightening horizons with hopes of tomorrow.
The favourite lines of this one are:
*“Aandhiyon se jaghad rahi hai lau meri
Ab mashaalon si bhad rahi hai lau meri
Naamo nishaan rahe na rahe
Yeh Karvan rahe naa rahe…”*
~Satrangi re(Dil se)
This song takes a lil bit of time to grow upon you.But this song truly has the “Different”feel in it…. Sonu nigam and Kavita Subramanium put their heart and soul into the song….Truly Magical!
My favourite lines from this one has to be…
*“Tu hi tu tu hi tu jeene ki saari khushboo
Tu hi tu thu hi tu aarzoo aarzoo
Chhooti hai mujhe sargoshi si
Aankhon mein ghuli khaamoshi se Main farsh pe sajde karta hoon Kuchh hosh mein kuch behoshi se Dil ka saaya humsaaya satrangi re manrangi re”*
~Bharat humko jaan se pyaara and Tu hi re(Bombay)
Both these songs are truly unique and wondrous!Both these songs are sung by Hariharan(oh I love his voice!)
~Yeh jo des hai tera(Swades)
This is the song that gives me goose pimples…This song again is sung by the maestro himself…The best part of the song is the tabla follow up towards the latter portions.
My favorite lines from this one are:
"Tujhse zindagi, hai ye keh rahi
*Sab toh paa liya, ab hai kya kami
Yun toh saare sukh hai barse
Par door tu hai apne gharse
Aa laut chal tu ab diwaane
Jahaan koyi toh tujhe apna maane
Awaaz de tujhe bulaane, wahi des
Ye jo des hai tera, swades hai tera, tujhe hai pukaara
Ye woh bandhan hai jo kabhi toot nahin sakta."
The review is continued in the comments section.Sorry for the inconvinience!