As most of you must know by now A R Rehman has become the first Indian to win the ‘prestigious’ Golden Globe for Best Original Score for the movie of the season Slumdog Millionaire (or Slumdog Crorepati if you are in India).
TIME magazine had already rated his Roja soundtrack as one of the 10 Best Soundtracks ever and declared him as Mozart of Madras.
The Indian media, as usual is going ga-ga over the Globe but does it really take a western award to validate Indian genius? Will we respect him a lil bit more if he gets an Oscar?
I should hope not.
Speaking of which there was a reality show on Zee TV which had Annu Kapur (of Antakshri fame) as a judge. After repeatedly mentioning only old hindi songs, he was asked if he knew of any new songs. To which he replied, “No No I listen to new songs too, I tolerate Himesh, I tolerate A R Rehman.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing and infact couldn’t decide what was worse: that he had compared A R Rehman to Himesh or the fact that he felt that A R Rehman needed to be tolerated.
Yet yesterday evening on Zee News he was there singing his praise like a third rate chameleon.
Anyway I hope this is the beginning of an Indian Summer in Hollywood.
Below is my selection of the best ARR songs. Please feel free to disagree or add more to the list.
Chinna Chinna Aasai (Roja 1992). While studying in Bangalore I was taken for this movie by some friends and even after I watched the hindi version later the real charm of this song is the actual Tamil version. The magic was lost in translation.
Tu Hi Re: (Bombay.1995) Yearning, Longing, Affection, Ache all finds voice in this beautiful number. It helped that Manisha never looked better.
Hai Rama: (Rangeela 1995) Try to forget (if possible) a voluptuous Urmila and just listen to this song. Indian ragas mixed with western percussion it is one of his best compositions till date.
Dil Se & Aae Ajnabi (Dil Se 1998). “Dil To Aakhir Dil Hai Na. Meethi Si Muskhil Hai Na…’ Gulzar’s words put perfectly to music and shot equally well.
Dil Se & Aae Ajnabi (Dil Se 1998). “Dil To Aakhir Dil Hai Na. Meethi Si Muskhil Hai Na…’ Gulzar’s words put perfectly to music and shot equally well.
Aae Ajnabi is possibly the best romantic number of the 90's. I dont know even 1 person who doesnt like it. Again Manisha looked like a million bucks. This movie had perhaps the best assembled creative team till now. Mani Rathnam (Dir), Shekhar Kapoor & Ram Gopal Verma (Producer), A R Rehman, Gulzar, Santosh Sivan (Cinematography), Farah Khan (Choreography. remember Chaiyya Chaiyya), SRK & Manisha and a great debut by Preity Zinta.
Ishq Bina: (Taal 1999). Gulzar had written another line for another movie about finding a love so strong that it almost consumes you, “Koi to ho, jiske liye; jeena ho toh marna pare..” This sentiment finally gets fully realized in this haunting number from Taal.
Piya Haji Ali : (Fiza 2000) ARR did just one guest song but what a song. Devotion and Spirituality finds the perfect fusion here.
Ishq Bina: (Taal 1999). Gulzar had written another line for another movie about finding a love so strong that it almost consumes you, “Koi to ho, jiske liye; jeena ho toh marna pare..” This sentiment finally gets fully realized in this haunting number from Taal.
Piya Haji Ali : (Fiza 2000) ARR did just one guest song but what a song. Devotion and Spirituality finds the perfect fusion here.
Mehndi Hai Rachne Wali: (Zubeida 2000). It is so normal that one almost feels like it is a familiar aunt humming in the house. The verses just meld into each other. Cant be easy to do.
Oo Re Chori: (Lagaan 2001) Among other gems in this movie this is my favorite because ARR blends rustic Indian sounds and instruments with western ones to move from the hindi lyrics to the english ones and you never once feel the jerk. Seamless.
Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna: (The Legend of Bhagat Singh 2002). A typical loud rousing Indian freedom song suddenly lifted to musical heights with just a few tweaks here and there. Sonu Nigam too at his finest.
Sadiyya Sadiyya: (Lakeer 2004) A crap movie redeemed by one of the most romantic tracks ever. Listen and evaluate again.
Chinamma Chinamma: (Meenaxi 2004) Cant understand half of what it means (or what the movie was about for that matter) but it is filled with crazy infectious beats. Try staying still while it plays. Impossible.
Khuda Hafiz: (Yuva 2004) I call this song surreal. Just cant get it out of my head. And Kareena..... Oh Kareena...
Titel Song: (Swades 2004) Can you remember the last time a Sarangi was used to convey anything other than marriage or death? This song is a must hear for every NRI.
Hum Hai Iss Pal Yaha: (Kisna 2004) Again a classic example of how Ghai massacred a ARR song. Forget the movie listen to just the song. Magic.
Whole Soundtrack: (Bose. The Forgotten Hero) ARR used a whole Orchestra for this forgotten and criminally underrated movie. Turn down the lights, pour yourself a nice bourbon, close your eyes and lose yourself in genius.
Khoon Chala: (Rang De Basanti: 2006). With a wealth of songs to choose from, this is my fav simply for its placement in the movie. Need i say more.
Ae Hairathe Ashiqui & Jaage Hai (Guru: 2007): Ae Hairathe Ashiqui was adapted by Gulzar from Hazrat Amir Khushroo’s Ay Sarbathe Aashiqui and ARR decided to tune it based on the instruments and style of that period. Jaage Hai was used sparingly in the movie but if you listen to the soundtrack it is a soaring and majestic composition with ARR himself at the vocals accompanied by the superb Madras Chorale Group. (While on Guru, can you think of simpler or better lyrics than "Tere Bina Beswesadi, Besewadi Ratiya" {Without you my nights are tasteless})
Khwaja Mere Khwaja: (Jodha Akbar: 2008) A Devout Muslim ARR had composed this song as a private tribute to God. Ashutosh who heard this song wanted to use it in the movie. A reluctant ARR agreed with the caveat that if he did not like the visualization they would have to remove the song. After being filmed ARR watched it and agreed to let them keep it. Sufism at it pristine best.
Tu Bole Main Bolu: (Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na: 2008) Kabhi Kabhi Aditi was the college anthem of the year but it is this soulful jazz number that stays with you. A long drive, rain, hot chai and this song. What more can one ask for. Bliss!
Kaise Mujhe: (Ghajini 2008) Great song, Greater 2nd Half. If you have it on your iPod then slide the timer and begin listening from 2:55. I rest my case.
Oo Re Chori: (Lagaan 2001) Among other gems in this movie this is my favorite because ARR blends rustic Indian sounds and instruments with western ones to move from the hindi lyrics to the english ones and you never once feel the jerk. Seamless.
Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna: (The Legend of Bhagat Singh 2002). A typical loud rousing Indian freedom song suddenly lifted to musical heights with just a few tweaks here and there. Sonu Nigam too at his finest.
Sadiyya Sadiyya: (Lakeer 2004) A crap movie redeemed by one of the most romantic tracks ever. Listen and evaluate again.
Chinamma Chinamma: (Meenaxi 2004) Cant understand half of what it means (or what the movie was about for that matter) but it is filled with crazy infectious beats. Try staying still while it plays. Impossible.
Khuda Hafiz: (Yuva 2004) I call this song surreal. Just cant get it out of my head. And Kareena..... Oh Kareena...
Titel Song: (Swades 2004) Can you remember the last time a Sarangi was used to convey anything other than marriage or death? This song is a must hear for every NRI.
Hum Hai Iss Pal Yaha: (Kisna 2004) Again a classic example of how Ghai massacred a ARR song. Forget the movie listen to just the song. Magic.
Whole Soundtrack: (Bose. The Forgotten Hero) ARR used a whole Orchestra for this forgotten and criminally underrated movie. Turn down the lights, pour yourself a nice bourbon, close your eyes and lose yourself in genius.
Khoon Chala: (Rang De Basanti: 2006). With a wealth of songs to choose from, this is my fav simply for its placement in the movie. Need i say more.
Ae Hairathe Ashiqui & Jaage Hai (Guru: 2007): Ae Hairathe Ashiqui was adapted by Gulzar from Hazrat Amir Khushroo’s Ay Sarbathe Aashiqui and ARR decided to tune it based on the instruments and style of that period. Jaage Hai was used sparingly in the movie but if you listen to the soundtrack it is a soaring and majestic composition with ARR himself at the vocals accompanied by the superb Madras Chorale Group. (While on Guru, can you think of simpler or better lyrics than "Tere Bina Beswesadi, Besewadi Ratiya" {Without you my nights are tasteless})
Khwaja Mere Khwaja: (Jodha Akbar: 2008) A Devout Muslim ARR had composed this song as a private tribute to God. Ashutosh who heard this song wanted to use it in the movie. A reluctant ARR agreed with the caveat that if he did not like the visualization they would have to remove the song. After being filmed ARR watched it and agreed to let them keep it. Sufism at it pristine best.
Tu Bole Main Bolu: (Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na: 2008) Kabhi Kabhi Aditi was the college anthem of the year but it is this soulful jazz number that stays with you. A long drive, rain, hot chai and this song. What more can one ask for. Bliss!
Kaise Mujhe: (Ghajini 2008) Great song, Greater 2nd Half. If you have it on your iPod then slide the timer and begin listening from 2:55. I rest my case.
Enjoy
Luv
Vish
Dil Se and Bombay anytime bro, anytime... Samirda
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