Today is the 50th birthday of Isaipuyal AR Rahman. His music is an integral part of my day and has been like a dear friend to me in the past 25 years. Around the same time last year, I had listed down 10 beautiful Tamil songs of ARR that didn’t get the attention they deserve. This year, I went through his Bollywood tracks. Here’s a list of 10 songs that you might not have heard (unless you are a Rahmaniac like me!)
(1) Zindagi from Yuvvraaj
This is a beautiful song sung by Srinivas - melancholic, soothing and soft. It’s a shame that this song didn’t get the credit it deserves. My 5-year-old plays it often on our iPod. I couldn’t find the full song on youtube, except for a short clip from the movie. Do check it out in iTunes. It’s a perfect melody to listen to at the end of a tiring day.
(2) Hawa Sun Hawa from Ada
Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik’s soothing voices, brilliant flute interludes and a soft beat throughout the song make it one of my most favorite Rahman’s compositions. I have no idea about the movie, actors or director, except that this song has been on my playlist for many years.
(3) Tum ho meri nigahon from Kabhi Na Kabhi
I discovered this song quite recently. It gives a feel of early vintage Rahman, aptly supported by Hariharan’s superb voice and limited instruments. Sujatha’s hums in between feel like the perfect icing on the cake.
(4) Kissa Hum Likhenge from Doli Saja Ke Rakhna
Though this song was reused in the Tamil film Jodi, I prefer the original Hindi version. Anuradha Paudwal’s voice feels so soft and right for this tune whereas Janaki’s voice felt a little louder.
(5) Dheemi Dheemi from 1947 Earth
This song used to be a lullaby for my daughter when she was an infant. I would hold her and walk for 5-10 minutes and she would happily doze off. Only Hariharan could create such magic in a song with minimal background instruments.
(6) Yeh Rishta from Meenaxi: A tale of three cities
The foot-tapping beat, the effortless singing by Reena Bharadwaj and the beautiful Tabu elevate this mellifluous song. But the soul of it was killed by reusing the same tune in a dud movie like “Sakkarakatti” (ARR, why?)
(7) Hum Hain Iss Pal Yahaan from Kisna
I watched this movie in a theater, just for this song. The movie was so boring and we made so much fun of it while watching together with friends. Yet another song wasted but what a magical voice Madhushree has. The instrumental version is also amazing.
(8) Shauk Hai from Guru
I remember that this song wasn’t there when the album was released. There was a Rahman collection CD that was released a few months later. I purchased it, only to get hold of this lovely song. This comes as a background score when Madhavan proposes to Vidya Balan. This song not to be missed by any music lover.
(9) Jaare Udd Jaare from Raavan
Again, yet another song that didn’t get released with the album. This comes at the end credits of the movie, sung by Rahman himself. He released it as a single recently.
(10) Call me Dil from Jhoota Hi Sahi
There’s very little chance that someone would have heard of this movie or this song in particular. It’s a feel-good, peppy number sung by Rashid Ali.
Are there any favorites of yours among these 10 songs? Share in the comments below.