AR Rahman Birthday Special: The Music Man with No Borders, Unifies People with Each New Magical Creation

A.R. Rahman: The year is 1993, it’s a packed auditorium as one of Delhi University’s popular Colleges is having its college Fest. Suddenly ‘Konjam Nilavu’ plays on the speakers and the North Indian crowd goes crazy repeating the only word it understands from the song ‘Chandralekha’ in loud echoes. If you are a ‘90s kid the song has amazing recall value for you. Interestingly, to celebrate his musical journey in January 2018, the music maestro A.R. Rahman performed live concerts with some of the top Indian artists who are known globally.

Neeti Mohan belted out the same 1993 track in 2018 and Chandralekha was still making fans go wild.

Such is the music of A.R. Rahman a timeless visionary. Even today youngsters enjoy the modern music produced by Rahman nearly three decades ago.

A.R. Rahman has wowed international audiences and even won a grammy award for the Original Film Soundtrack of the film Slumdog Millionaire at the 81st Grammy Awards.

Rahman has collaborated with international artists like Chris Martin (Coldplay),  Michael Jackson, Hans Zimmer, Akon, Pussycat Dolls among other top musicians.

Back home, whether his music compositions have lyrics in Tamil , Hindi or Kannada the words tend to take a backseat as his music becomes the centre of attention and yes, we are all ears.

Famous A.R Rahman Songs

Here are a few songs composed by A.R. Rahman across languages and generations that continue to mesmerise the audience and are as relevant today  as when they were first released.

Kaadhal Rojave (Roja)

This Tamil movie Roja released in 1992.It created a sensation across India. The film and Rahman’s music, a first time composer blew away audiences with his melodic creations. This kind of sound had never been heard before. The film as well as the music were also released in Hindi and Rahman had won over India in his very first attempt which was a musical master stroke. He even won a National award for the same.

The vocals are sung by S.P. Balasubramanian and Sujatha Mohan.

Muqabla ( Kadhalan1994 and Live in 2018)

This energy pumping song with a western genre style video screamed that the 1990s had arrived. The song featured in the 1994  Tamil-language romantic thriller film Kadhalan and had a sort of pleasant shock value with its sound as well as picturisation.

In 2018 Rahaman performed his own composition live alongwith top musicians in India including the very adept Sunshine orchestra under the musical arrangement of Ranjit Barot and the likes of Sivamani for company. The results were just as jaw dropping as it was the first time the song released in 1994.

Urvashi Urvashi

Prabhu Deva’s dancing, Rehman’s eclectic Music, mad lyrics saying ‘Take it easy Urvashi’, absolutely mind blowing. Nobody could take it easy listening to these foot tapping, jump out of your seat music. Unmissable scat phrases and vocal sounds make this song as modern a dance track as when it was first released.

Chaiyya Chaiyaa (Dil Se)

The ultimate pop-folk song and the best desi party anthem. A nice twist on the ‘Thaiya Thaiya’ Bulleh Shah song, it was originally created by Rahman for his Vande Materam album.

The catchy tunes and rustic sounds make this song an evergreen song to uplift the soul with desi instruments with Rahman’s modern styling.

Vande Materam (Private Album)

The title track from Rahman’s patriotic private album released in 1997.In 2018 he was paid tribute to and even performed live with  Berklee College of Music at Symphony Hall, Boston. 109 performers from 32 countries performed with and for Rahman. Such a befitting honour for the maestro.

Kun Faya Kun (Rockstar)

Rahman is a master creator who easily flows between genres and styles. The Soulful Sufi within Rahman is beautifully depicted in this song which is a tribute to the Sufi Music culture and the creator within us all.

The Humma Song (OK Jaanu)

The song was first released on the album for the 1990s film Bombay which was a musical treat and then recreated in 2017 for the movie in 2017. Rahman’s music is like old wine only gets better with time.

Song credits : A.R. Rahman, Badshah, Tanishk Bagchi, Shashaa Tirupati, Jubin Nautiyal

Aye Udi udi (Saathiya)

The entire music album of the 2002 film Saathiya was a pleasurable delight to the ears and still makes the romantic inside us all flutter whenever this radio friendly song plays.

The combination of Adnan Sami, A.R. Rahman, Gulzar its pure magic. Enjoy!

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Masti Ki Paathshala (Rang De Basanti)

The ultimate student rebel anthem but with a cause and how! The music and the songs helped the narrative of the film move forward.

Fanaa (Yuva)

This perfect for the discotheque released in 2004 is still just as perfect for the discotheque with its electronic, techno and house music feels even today.

So dance away!

Yunhi Chala Chal (Swades)

This one’s for the road and old school philosophy but modern age music. Perfectly Rahman!

While writing this it was hard not to include so many songs as the genius musician has produced so many wonderful musical gems.

Music Man Rehman thank you for giving us the lovely music.

Here’s wishing you a very Happy Birthday!