A R Rahman- My top 15 gems

You know how difficult it is for me to do this?! To zero down to my favourite 15 among all of ARR music across all languages?! I mean you can’t possibly understand how difficult it is for me…..coz I am an ARR bhakt (across all languages). His songs are like meditation to me,his music has the power to completely uplift my mood no matter what kind of a day I am having. His songs teleport me to various places. His music is magic to me!

But still….I have made that tedious choices and here I present (drumroll………..)

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My top 15 fav ARR songs! (In no specific order) Mind you, there may be some gems in here which you may not even have heard.

1.Hello Mr.Ethirkatchi-
Gosh this one does not age,this song was released 24 years ago,but is still as good as new! Iruvar has to be one of my most favourite tamil movies and it also was Aishwarya Rai’s debut movie.This song is picturized on her and she is so damn flawless in it,I think she was fabulous in the whole movie. This song has a very Jazz feel to it ,something so different to the tamil industry specially in those days.

Here’s the link to this timeless beauty- https://youtu.be/JqgwTxDeOa8

2.Agar Tum Saath Ho-
Aah now who does not love this song?! It is a classic and Alka Yagnik and Arijit do more than justice to it. The beauty of this song is the pain and misery associated to it,its depicted so beautifully, the lyrics by Irshad Kamil just touches your soul deep within.

Pfb link just so that you can revisit this gem- https://youtu.be/xRb8hxwN5zc

3. Aye Mr.Minor-
This one is another beautiful song,with a very Jazz feel to it. The supremely talented Shasha Tirupati takes the song to a different level.

Pfb link- https://youtu.be/gUcSm8A-bgE

4.Mannipaaya-
This list would be incomplete without a VTV song.Actually I wish to add all songs of VTV to this list,but then it wouldn’t be fair to the rest. Shreya Ghoshal is amazing, and the choir used in this song is just mind-blowing, I dont know how ARR does it,but its magic. Also Jessie-Karthik chemistry is vere level.

Pfb link- https://youtu.be/EjUP08N89mI

5.Maahi Ve-
Aren’t all songs of Highway amazing,i mean how does one choose 😭, but still from among the lot this one is my favourite, it has a very light hilly (pahadi) feel good vibe to it.

Pfb link- https://youtu.be/xHLnZMjJ8bY

6.Kalvare-

Another one of my favourite slow numbers, it is so soothing and Aishwarya’s graceful dancing is eye candy (thanks to the legendary Shobhana ma’am who was the choreographer)

Pfb link- https://youtu.be/rpc43hOKy0A

7.Ay Hairathe-
Hariharan and Alka Yagnik duet, the unusual stanza and the familiar chorus of ‘Tere bina’ song in the background just adds to the magic.

Pfb link- https://youtu.be/038jmlSH3iM

8.Thalli pogathey-
The catchy beats,stunning visuals and amazing lyrics are the highlights of this song. The wait to reach the chorus is tiresome but so so rewarding.

Pfb link- https://youtu.be/PiL5UTTTrxk

9.Malargaley-

This is from a 1996 tamil movie Lovebirds and its a beautiful song.This K S Chithra and Hariharan duet is so romantic ❤️

Pfb link- https://youtu.be/zM0KCx9HStk?si=pwv9zs5QKv7aA3mR

10.Kannodu kaanbadhellam-
This classical song has been my favourite for dance especially during school and college days. Although classical ,its definitely very catchy and trendy.

Pfb link- https://youtu.be/HnW2737FkW8

11.Saathiya-
Extremely popular and a favourite to millions. Whether its Saathiya or Pachai Nirame,this is one song that I love in both Hindi and Tamil. Oh but brownie points go to my forever crush R Madhavan♥️

Pfb link-
https://youtu.be/eMA6GHTQ4WA

12.Kannalane-

Another K S Chithra genius, she owns this song…Also Manisha is so pretty and emotes so well in this song.Almost all other songs from Bombay are also excellent but I will stick to my rule of just 1 from a movie.

Pfb link- https://youtu.be/T4i_7_cXj9E

13. New York Nagaram-
One of my all time favourites, its still my ringtone😂 Sung by the Mozart himself!

Pfb link- https://youtu.be/OjU54VhRFbU

14. Ennavale Adi Ennavale-
This is the ultimate romantic song, so melodious! Also this song came out in 1994, let that sink in!

Pfb link-
https://youtu.be/vvfW92cmAbs

15.Naan Yen-
I heard this in the Coke studio and since then it is my favourite.The wordings are actually from a poem by poet Vaali, his words truly come to life in this composition.

Pfb link- https://youtu.be/e2rGhnGuCy0

Honorary mention (this is because I am from Kerala and this is the only malayalam song in this post)

Kunukune from movie Yoddha- https://youtu.be/zc4G93Tmjyc

The list is endless, I realized I havent even touched movies like Roja, Taal, Dil Hi Dil Main, Gentleman, Sapnay, Rang De Basanti, Lagaan, Slumdog Millionaire, Delhi 6,Ok Kanmani, Rockstar,Raanjhanaa etc…which have all brilliant songs in them.

Like I said,it was a close to impossible feat for me, but I am super proud of my above selection ❤️

Go on and post your favourite ARR songs in the comments below!

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