Ten Best Songs of A.R.Rahman

I’m sorry, but I couldnt add any more words in the review title to describe the music of the person who, among many names, has been described as ’India’s Mozart’. Well, the media may shower him with nicknames, ad yes, he may come on the news for his Oscar wins, but AR Rahamn’s music transcends a lot more in the realm of our subconsicence, and makes it touch our hearts

With a Discography that has run from 1992 onwards, and with over 170 awards, it would be difficult, in fact, nigh on impossible to list down a Top 10 which we can all agree upon. Indeed, Rahman’s music has melded itself beautifully in 5 Indian Languages and also in International Scores, but in the next few paragraphs, I can only but describe my favourite tunes, most of which are from Bollywood, but also with a couple of other entries thrown in.

I shall try and sort my favourite songs in a Chronological order, but in reverse, starting with his latest Albums in 2009 and working back till 1992, to see if we can capture at least a flavour of what I would describe as music for the soul.

2009:

Album: Delhi 6

Shock! Horror! Where is Jai Ho! Where is Slumdog Millionaire! Well, to be fair, if Rahman were allowed to enter his Indian Albums for the Oscar’s, he would have probably won around 10 of them by now, and with Delhi 6, Rahman works his Magic on Rakesh Omprakash Mehra’s second film after RDB. Now, Delhi 6 is not a perfect album, and the movie was not perfect either, but Masakali... well, how do I put it, is like a drug which just hit me and overpowered me into a high. Lovlingly picturised on the White Dove, Masakali is infectious. It wins here over songs from the album, ’Rehna Tu’ and ’Arziyan’.

2008:

Album: Jodhaa Akbar, Jaane Tu...

2008 was the year in which Rahman’s music simply washed away the competition in Bollywood. I simply had to pick 2 songs from this year, from 2 different movies.

From Jodhaa Akbar, we find Khwaja Mere Khwaja... one of the most melodious and relaxing ways of unwinding after a hard day at work, just listing to this song made me forget about the traffic, and move on...

Kabhi Kabhi Aditi... form Jaane Tu simply HAD to be the most uplifting song of the year. Listening to it on the way to office made me forget about the day ahead, indeed, choosing this over Tu Boole or Kahin To... was an incredibly tough decision

I hated Ghajini, as a movie, but loved it, as an Album... Two Songs here tie for the top spot in the Album but not in the overall list, Guzarish, shot in a lovely desert, but more breakout, was Bekha, with its Jazz tempo

2007:

Album: Guru

Sung by A. R. Rahman, Murtuza Khan, Quadir Khan & Chinmayee, it perfectly symbolises the chemistry on-screen between Abishek and Ash, which later on, made its way Off-Screen as well! Indeed, I ahve heard this song being played at many Weddings! A soothing Romantic Track

2006:

Album: Rang De Basanti

Aye Sala! Hip, cool, trendy, irreverent... what other words can you use to describe this song, or indeed, the album. While Daler Mahendi may have made waves for the title track, and Paathshala was undoubtedly the clubbers favourite, Roobaroo gets my vote for the RDB album

2004:

Album: Swades, Meenaxi

Two songs from two movies which did not do too well in the box office... and both starting with a common word?? Well, coincidences may be there, but for me, it was all haunting, souflful tunes in 2004. Yeh Jo Desh Hai Tera tugs at your heartstrings, in a way that makes you love your country, no matter how bad you feel it is, while Yeh RIshta... simply tugs at your yearning for Love and Romance.

2001:

Album: Lagaan

Well, I am forced to say that I cannot choose any one song in this album over the other. They are universally good. Javed Akhtar’s Lyrics made the task even harder!

2000:

Album: Saathiya

Yes, there is Aye Udi Udi Udi... and yes, there is the Title Track. But for sheer spunk, O Humdum Soniyore takes the cut as the best song of this album. It is also one of the greatest driving songs, just play it in your car on a long trip on the highway, and belt along the lyrics with your mates.

1999:

Album: Taal

Two Songs, but tied for one spot in this album. Both songs sung by 3 singers each, and both very powerful, these two songs are my pick from 1999.

1998:

Again, very unfair for me to choose one song from the entire album, but for sheer impact, it just has to be Chaiya Chaiya! Dancing on the top of the train, Shah Rukh and Malaika made an impact to Rahman’s music which will proabably never again be mastered in the history of Bollywood. The Tile Track was another favourite from the Album.

1995:

Album: Rangeela, Bombay, Humse Hai Muqabala

Rangeela and Bombay, how did Rahman manage to create both albums in the same year? I do not know how, but while the first song manages to capture the angst and the loniliness of losing Love, the other two songs have a spunk and irreverence which could only be described as cool. In particular, Muqala Muqabala created a sensation for the special effects and Prabhu Deva’s dancing, but it was the catchy beats which enabled him to do so. In the Rangeela album, it has been a tie between the two songs listed there.

1992:

Two completely contrasting styles of music in each song, and two different moods. While Ye Haseen Vadiyan was gripping, eloquent, tragic and romantic at the same time, Dil Hai Chota Sa has such a youthful innocence, I would say that I was lost for words when I heard it then, just as I am lost for words now.

Now, I guess I have overshot the limit for the number of Songs, but then, what to do? It would have been injustice leaving out any particular song, and even now, I feel like I have left out many other works of his.

Still, two last honourable mentions, which are not Bollywood Tracks:

1. Airtel Theme: So Ubiquitous these days, the Airtel Theme is one of the greatest jingles created in the histry of Indian Advertising, and it is only Rehman who could have pulled it off. Indeed, it is still being used in Airtel’s TV ads even after 5 years!

2. Vande Mataram: True Blue Patriots would snub their noses at this rendition of Vande Mataram from Rahman, but I say, rubbish. This rendition encapsulates the perfect way of brining that legendary melody to the younger generation and reviving a feeling of patriotism that was simply missing at the time. It is a power packed song aplty sung by Rahman himself.

Of course, by no means is this list comprehensive, and you may feel to disagree with me, but the fact of the matter is, whichever songs we like... the fact that such melodies have been created and infused our lives with Magic make Rehman a maestro, who we hope, will only get better with every passing year.