Ten Best Songs of Illayaraja

This man Raja is pure genius, and have soaked myself in his musical ocean so many times. No words to describe his class. Obviously its a really hard job to choose ten favorites from hundreds of Raja classics. I know its a futile exercise to choose 10 from hundreds of magical compositions, but its a try nevertheless. So here goes my attempt at choosing a ten.

1. Thendral Vanthu Theendum Pothu - Avathaaram

2. Aagaya Vennilave - Arangetra Velai

3. Sundari - Dhalapathi

4. Maasi Masam Aalana Ponnu - Dharmadurai

5. Nee Partha Parvai - Hey Ram

6. Sangeetha Jathi - Kadhal Oviyam

7. Ooru Sanam - Mella Thiranthathu Kathavu

8. Mandram Vantha - Mouna Raagam

9. Enna Satham - Punnagai Mannan

10. Paadu Nilave - Udhaya Geetham

This is more like an appendix. some of the best instrumental i’ve heard. i’ve heard only a few, but these are the best from them:

1. Theme music of Aboorva Sagotharargal

2. How to Name It

3. Theme music of Unnal Mudiyum Thambi

4. Theme music of Mouna Raagam.

-updated 7th October, 2009-

Though its obviously very difficult to choose any subset of songs from the ocean, I’d chosen a 10 above. Just thought I should add 5 more; just couldn’t resist doing it:).

1. Intha minminikku - Sigappu Rojakkal

2. Oru Jeevan Azhaiththathu - Geethanjali

3. Poo Malai - Sindhu Bhairavi

4. Rojavai Thalattum - Ninaivellam Nithya

5. Yen Iniya - Moodu Pani