The best of 25 years of Rahman - Part I - the 90's

My staple music is the filmy stuff - largely Indian. I am not a very evolved music lover  and have limited exposure to genres.

As a self confessed Rahmaniac, in this tribute to 25 years of Rahman,   I attempt to pick the top songs of each year he's  been in the industry.

I have also made a public playlist of these tracks, for those interested. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFg6NUoTSAX15Dgkz33auB3odYUtMhaGp

1992:

Roja :  Could he have had a better movie debut?  Great producers, famous director, patriotic storyline set in Kashmir. Roja's soundtrack was extra special for me - it was my first movie in the theatres. I was 7 years old when my mother took my brother and I to see the movie. In a sense, it was a beginning for me - to develop a taste for my kind of music. Music I resonated with.

1. Pudhu Vellai Mazhai -  by Sujatha and Unni Menon. The first 25 seconds of the track, are so memorable - it became my frame of reference for experiencing snow. I longed to see snow - partly because the music made snow capped Himalayas seem like a magical fairy place (I realized snow and low temperatures are not my friend much later on in life ).

2. Kadhal Rojave:  Listen  closely and you can practically hear the emotions  -  the pain of separation and memories  that you fall back on to cope.

3. Chinna Chinna  Aasai :  Enuf said. A few tracks make you think of the small joys life has to offer. Close your eyes and get transported to a distant village , green fields , clouds,  waterfalls ,  friends and fun. Sigh! 

1993:

93 is a toughie . How do I pick a few favorite tracks among Gentleman, Pudhiya Mugam, Kizhakku Chemayile and Thiruda Thiruda ?
Top honors go to:

 1: Chandralekha from Thiruda Thiruda  (with competition from Veerapandi Kottayile).  Years later, Chandralekha still stuns you - with its sheer complexity of arrangement , exotic voices and  tempo. It helps that the filming increases the oomph factor - what with a lit up Egmore Museum and Anu Agarwal's swag.

Special mention to the deep sense of peace in Putham Pudhu Bhoomi.

2.  Chikku Bukku:   Fond memories of Prabhudeva's jaw dropping moves and Gautami's outfit being quite the rage at the time :-)  Perhaps the first of many visually stunning Prabhudeva + Rahman songs to come out. It was almost as though Prabhudeva's talent finally had challenging music to fit into .  

3. Aathangara Marame:   Who new new sounds could fit a village milieu as much as the sound track of Kizhakku Cheemayile did?  The arrangements and voices reminiscent of earthy tones , are out of the world.  Mano and ARR had a fantastic run , with Mukkabala coming the next year.

4. Thee Thee: Thiruda Thiruda

Don't let the slow start - a  mellow flute , deceive you.  The percussions + bass guitar , with some killer konnokol style interventions . Mind = Blown.

While we are at it, here is Berklee's interpretation of Thee Thee & Malargale - with the very talented Mohini De killing it at the bass guitar.

1994:

1994 was a big year with 9 releases. Here are some favorites

1. Mukkabala: Kadhalan

Swarnalatha + Rahman  + Prabhudeva  +  sensible Shankar of yesteryear  = Too much awesomeness  in one song. The choreo and music were just made for each other.

2.  Margazhi Poove:

Welcome to Suprabatham ARR style. Takes guts to take a classic devotional track and use it to create a track as refreshing as morning dew, fresh cut grass and breezy morning air. Who is this Shobha Shankar ? Why did she  dissappear after this ?  

  

3. En mel vizhundha panithuliye: 

Looking back - the extent of misogyny in  movie  lyrics is horrifying, but that's a story for another day. I am not a fan of Vairamuthu , but May Maadham's lyrics had me - in this one ,  Minnale Nee and the delightful "Madrasa Suthi Paaka", with Manorama no less.  May Maadham is one of ARR's most soulful albums  to date. Classic case of movies that were duds but the background and songs were pure gold. 

4.  Kaadhalikkum Pennin Kaigal: Kadhalan

Downright one of the coolest tracks in his repertoire. Swerves between modern and classical effortlessly  - combining SPB and Udit Narayan  (getting his "Zha's spot on btw) with some quirky lyrics and filming.   That Veena from 3.20 is to die for.  

5. Thenmerku Paruvakaatru: Karuthamma

I remember listening to the amazing stereo I had at home - from an audio CD . This was the entry of audio CDs into mainstream - it was a matter of pride to even own one and have a player that accommodated CDs , along with the trusty cassettes . It was the first time I heard water droplets caught on a song - this in itself was mesmerizing. Unnikrishnan + Chitra to compliment the soft notes. #Died&ReachedMusicHeaven

1995: 

Bombay,  Indra, Rangeela,  Muthu

The year ARR went national  and how! What a joy that his work  crossed language barriers!

You could write paeans on the awesomeness of the Rangeela jukebox. Nevertheless , my pick of 1995 is

1.  Tanha Tanha from Rangeela: with punching vocals from Asha Bhonsle - need I say more?

2. Thoda Thoda: Indira 

A track that reminds you of the naivety and beauty of crushes, first love . 

For all those who  say ARR's all about the arrangement and not as much on melody, voices drain out in the sounds etc.  Take this for size. 

3 . Arabi Kadaloram:  Bombay

As a fan, it is a happy surprise if  ARR picks a track in an album to lend his own vocals . He has a very unique voice that adapts to peppy, devotional, inspiring etc. I make it a point to attend all his concerts in Chennai. Every time he picks up the mic , it is joyful to listen to the powerful voice behind his seemingly placid, laid back appearance. 

Btw,  people who make crappy remakes of classics such as this to promote their crappier movies, should be shot point blank. Don't spoil classics. The wrath of  fans is upon you. We will find you and hunt you down.

4. Kuluvalile: Muthu 

Some of ARR's best work gets shrouded in the movie's purpose. Muthu was a propaganda movie of sorts for the superstar.  ( Some of the lyrics in this track go.... "Katchiyellam ippo namakedhuku" - come on. Evlo varusham boss )  Also, some weird AF visuals - with the lead lady used for eye candy , while the hero spits out machismo. 

Setting these aside,  Kuluvalile is gem combining  Kerala Kenda melams, exotic flute notes, veena and a catchy loop that runs through the length of the track . Watch out for the interlude that starts 3.16 and goes on until 4.08. 

Getting through 1992 to 1995 in itself, has been quite a task with over 5 hours of  delightful work over 3 days, going through each year.  Be back for 1995 to 2000.