A R Rahman's Best Songs

Its has been 2 decades since we first heard those mesmerizing songs from Roja. We may not have realized but A R Rahman has been stirring our Body and Soul with his music since last 20 years. Today he has almost every awards and recognition that a Composer would wish for. Much has been written and said about the 'Mozart' of our time. Not sure if one would be able to add more.

The Journey of 2 decades had many highs starting with Roja in 1992 and peaking with Slumdog in 2008. He has his share of lows too with 'Chiggiy Wiggy', 'Raavan, 'Robot' and controversial 'Commonwealth Games Theme Song'. But the highlight of his illustrious career was the year 2008 when he gave chart-busters albums with Jodhaa Akbar, Jaane Tu ...Ya Jaane Naa, Yuvvraaj, Ghajni and finally Slumdog Millionaire.

Work of genius don't come without fruitful associations. And A R Rahman gave some really great music in company of Jawed Akhtar, Shukwinder Singh, Chitra, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. But the most illustrious association came with Gulzar which rightly took him to Oscars. And despite his long collaboration with the director Shankar, none of the songs ever made significant impact, at-least the Hindi Versions.

As a tribute to the great Man , here is my attempt to list his best songs. Initially a list of 10 was the proposition , but restricting Rahman's genius to just 10 pieces of work wasn't possible. Even this list of 15 wasn't without some compromises. It was sad to miss award winning songs from Guru, Yuva, Jaane Tu..Ya Jaane Na from this favorite list. Especially the last one. Equally tough was to miss out the melodious songs from Sapney, Ghajini, Jodha Akbar or foot tapping music from Humse Hai Muqabla, Meenaxi.

Some of the popular songs we grew upon in the late 90s couldn't make the cut too. Roop Suhana Lagta Hai, Urvasi Urvasi, Kay Sera Sera, O Bhavre, Rang De &  Piya Haji Ali are sadly missing here. 



Here is compilation of my favorite Rahman's song , in chronological order:



Yeh Haseen Wadiyaan [Roja - 1992]
Roja was a Landmark in Indian Musial History. Not only it did catapulted Rahman to fame but it gave a whole new dimension to Indian Music. In 2005, the album was chosen as one the 'All Time Best Soundtracks' by TIME magazine.

One of the rare song which really makes you feel that you are in 'waadiyan' as soon as the music of starts.

Dil Hai Chhota Sa [Roja - 1992]
Along with 'Yeh Haseen Waadiyaan..','Bahrat Humko..' & 'Roja Jaaneann'  this was song that made 'Roja' one of all time selling album. Rahman made huge impact with these 'light' tunes. And the joyful voice Minmini represents the freshness that's always associated with Roja.

Kehna Hi Kya [Bombay - 1995]
One of most Romantic Composition by Rahman . The song as chosen by 'The Guardian' among '1000 Songs Every One Must Hear'. And the album itself was chosen among '1000 Album to Hear Before You Die'.

Bombay Theme [Bombay -1995]
My personal favorite. A very heart stirring. The Instrumental is amazing and better than lyrical 'Tu Hi Re' and has been used as background score for few Hollywood movies.
If anyone ever gets confused between Good Song and Good Music, this is the answer. No Lyrics, No Vocals, No Choreography,  its just Pure Rahman Magic.
As I was searching for a YouTube link for this gem , I saw couple of interesting comments by the users:.

User 1:  2:15 The moment even the strongest of hearts would loosen up and cry out.
User 2:  The first half is just a build up to the awesomeness that is 2:15 on-wards.
User 3:  Dude the awesomeness starts at 00:01

No prize for guessing which comment got the maximum 'Likes' . Of-course the last one !!

Tanha Tanha [Rangeela -1995]
Rahman's debut album in Bollywood. Asha Bhosle made a comeback to playback singing with this song, at the age of 62, to sing a song for 21 year old Urmila Matondkar. And she sang a song that would be remembered as one of the Asha Bhosle's best. Mehboob's lyrics add more depth to the song as Rahman breezes freshness. And the sight of Urmila Matondkar's running down the beach just sets the moood.

Chaiyan Chaiyaan [Dil Se - 1998]
BBC featured Chaiyan Chaiyan among the Top 10 songs of All Time. And 'Chaiyan Chaiyan' could end up as one of the most 'Complete Song' ever in India. A Passionate Shukhwinder Singh giving voice to Gulzar's incredible poetry.

Taaveez banaake pehnoon usay, Aayat ki tarah mil jaaye kahin
Gulposh kabhi itraaye kahin, Mehke to nazar aa jaaye kahin

And top of it 'One of Best Choreographed song ever'. Farha Khan's best work till date. The sight of super energetic Shahrukh and Mallika dancing on top the Ooty's Hill Train is one of the most amazing sight seen over silver screen.

Dil Se Re [Dil Se - 1998]
Dil Se would be among the best Soundtrack ever composed in India. Probably one of the most heard album. The album was a tribute to '7 Stages of Love'. 'Jiya Jale', 'Ai Ajnabi' and 'Satrangi Re' are simply awesome.
And the way Rahman croons the words "Dil Se Re...." makes you believe that this is his best work as a Singer.

Ishwar Allah [Earth -1998]
A lesser heard but an important piece of work by Rahman and Jawed Akhtar. One of the song along with 'Bharat Humko Jaan Se Pyara', 'Chale Chalo' & 'Ye Jo Desh Hai Tera' which proves his mastery in Patriotic genre.

Taal Se Taal Mila [Taal -1999]
Another gem from Rahman Sahab. Easily one of best Album in Bollywood.
Ghai remarked, "I credit the name of the movie to composer A. R. Rahman. This movie is a romance and I could have called it any thing - Dil, Pyaar, Hum Bhaag Gaye, but it was A. R. Rahman's presence in the movie that gave me the confidence to call it Taal. Taal means music and music means Taal."

The sound of 'Drop Of Water' has never been so beautifully captured as in this song.

Mehndi Hai Rachnewali [Zubeidaa - 2000]
One of the rare composition of Rahman based on Indian Folk songs. And a perfect one for Indian weddings. The highlight of the song is its simple lyrics of Jawed Akhtar and beautiful voice of Alka Yagnik.

Ghanan Ghanan [Lagaan -2001]
The soundtrack was ranked #44 on Amazon.com's "The 100 Greatest World Music Albums of All Time. From the Patriotic 'Chale Chalo' to the Spiritual 'O Paalanhaare..' and romantic 'O Re Chhori..'.. the album had everything. 'Mitwa' and 'Ghanan Ghanan' set courageous and joyful mood of the film.

Saathiya [Saathiya -2002]
One of best by Gulzar & Rahman combination. Gulzar's poetry just provide the freshness Rahman's tunes were looking for. And would be easily be one of the best by Sonu Nigam. When it was released this song was very popular Ringtone.

Taazaa gire patte ki tarah sabz laal par lete huey
Saat rang hain bahaaron ke ek adaa mein lapete huey

Barf giree ho vaadee mein aur hansee teree goonjee
Oon mein lipatee simatee huyee baat kare dhuaan nikale

Ye Jo Des Hai Mera [Swades -2004]
One for the patriotic gem from Rahman. Since 'Chitti Aayi Hai' by Pankaj Udaas, no other song has captured the emotions of people living outside India. The song seems to be anthem for NRIs now.The Shehnai version of this one is amazing too.

Luka Chuppi [Rang De Basanti -2006]
'Masti Ki Paathshaala' or the Title Track could have been very easy choice from this album, but Lataji echoing the pain of a Mother losing her son was a superior composition. The sight of Waheeda Rahman collapsing on the door when collecting her Son's belonging while the song is being played in the background can make even the hardest of heart feel the pain.

The song was considered for an Academy Award for Best Original Song nomination. This could be last time we might have seen a Rahman and Lata combination.

Jai Ho [Slumdog Millionaire -2008]
Before this album, to the West, Rahman was a new name, despite being known as a tunesmith of the highest calibre with near-legendary status in the East. This song made sure that A R Rahman is recognized all over the world. Without Exception !!
Despite the Oscars and Golden Globes , one can argue that this one may not be the best of Rahman, but its right up there . Rahman is again accompanied by his two most fruitful companions. Evergreen Gulzar & Vibrant Shukhwinder. And as the lyrics says its about Celebration, Happiness and Joy. And the world rejoiced every second of it. No wonder that the song created history.

Mausam & Escape  [Slumdog Millionaire -2008]
Mesmerizing !!! Arguably the best instrumental by Rahman after Bombay Theme. The music makes your Body and Soul shivers especially when the fusion of classical Indian sounds and contemporary flavor starts. The sound of Sitar, when Jamal and Latika see each-other on busy Mumbai Staion, takes you to a different world. And the fusion echoes Jamal's emotions when she is taken away, just before lovers can meet.

Arziyaan [Delhi 6 -2009]
Rahman has composed some very beautiful Spiritual and Sufi songs. All of them have been soulful . Be is 'Piya Haji Ali', 'O Paalan Haare', 'Khwajah Mere Khwajah', 'Ishwar Allah', or more recently 'Kun Kya Kun' but Arziyaan is just at a different level in this Genre . The depth of song is amazing . Gulzar again seems to have saved his best for A R Rahman.

Arziyaan sari mein chehre pe likh ke laaya hoon
Tumse kya maangu mein tum khud hi samjah lo

Tere Dar Pe Jhuka Hoon, Meeta Hoon, Bana Hoon
Marammat Mukaddar Ki Kar Do Maula....

Sadda Haq [Rockstar -2011]
After a string of albums, including the theme song for Commonwealth Games, that didnt meet his fan's
expectation , Rahman delivered a youth Anthem in 'Sadda Haq'.

Tum logon ki, iss duniya mein, Har kadam pe, insaan ghalat
Main sahi samajh ke jo bhi karoon, Tum kehte ho ghalat !

The music make shivers run down the spine as Mohit Chauhan yells
"O Eco friendly Nature ke Rakshak..."

The song echoed the emotions of today's youth and was an instant hit.

Kyun sach ka sabak sikhaaye, Jab sach sunn bhi naa paaye
Sach koi bole tto tu niyam kanoon batayeTera darr, Tera pyaar, teri wah, Tu hi rakh

The entire album was a geninune tribute to music. One of the highlight was the instrumental  'Dichotomy of Fame'. Tum Ho, Aur Ho, Katiya Karoo were the stuff Rahman has been known for.

Just realized that a list of 15 is now 18. Cant help, 'Waah Rahman Boliye' !!

Superman Of Malegaon !!

Had a chance to watch this documentary movie. A very heartfelt effort !!

The documentary  is about a local videographer, Sheikh Nasir, from Malegaon, a small town in Maharashtra. Its about his life and his devotion for movies. And how he makes  parody movies to make people laugh. This documentary follows his hardship to make 'Malegaon Ka Superman'.

You can feel the passion he has for movies. A hardcore movie-buff with dreams in his eyes, to make movies. And your heart goes out for him when you see him making all those efforts to overcome mundane obstacles in his film making. Whether its a broken camera ..or the lack of female actor to provide Superman's romantic angle or the small matter of how to make superman fly without wires, cranes or crores of special effect. He always finds a way because of his passion for movies.

The documentary shows his struggle without being sentimental or feeling sad about the circumstances that he keeps getting into. Its also hilarious the way he depicts Superman in his parody. A malnourished Superman thin as Stick suffering with Tuberculosis !! And its played a local guy working on power loom who is nobody for everyone in locality.

But more than about the parody, documentary is about his ingenuity and innocent film making. One can feel his pain when he breaks his camera while shooting for a water sequence where Superman sails on Truck Tube and again you can feel his suppressed frustration when he has to cancel 4 days of shooting because his 'Superman' has his wedding. Despite the hiccups and genuine issues Sheikh Nasir always gives you Positive Vibes, simply because he is in love with Cinema.

One of the best documentaries in recent time.

Stunning Catches In Cricket

One of the most spectacular sight in a Cricket Match is to see a Fielder air borne, trying to catch the ball. Running Hard, A Full Length dive, Body few feets in Air, Arms stretched, Eyes focused on the Ball and the Jubilation that follows after the Catch !! Its Amazing !!

"Mate, you've just dropped the World Cup" was the observation of Steve Waugh to Herschelle Gibbs at Headingley in 1999 World Cup after his critical error. A casual effort can sink your team. And One stunning fielding effort can lift the entire Team. Remember the Kapil Dev's Catch to dismiss Sir Viv that triggered West Indian collapse and India won the Final. Again in 2009 T20 World Cup. Afridi ran across half the field to lift the morale of his Team and in the process dismissed Scott Styris !! 

Who can forget the 'The Run-Out' by Jonty Rhodes to dismiss Inzamam in the 1992 World Cup !! It is one of the Highlight of 'Cricket History' !! 

Since that 'Run-Out, Jonty Rhodes, redefined the art of fielding, and made it into the art form that it today. He was, and probably still is, the only player in the world who could draw fans on the strength of the beauty and artistry of his fielding alone. A banner that often made its appearance in grounds across the world summed it up: "Water covers 70 per cent of the earth, Jonty covers the rest." Countless times he proved why it wasn't an exaggeration, with near-impossible run saves and catches.

Here are some of those Stunning Catches Captured Beautifully by Photographers !!

Jonty Rhodes takes an incredible flying catch to dismiss Robert Croft, England v South Africa, Emirates Triangular Trophy, Edgbaston, August 18, 1998. 

It’s a bird…it’s a plane…it’s Jonty!!

This is how BBC reported it . "With his lower legs providing the spring to reach the ball, Rhodes' knees were the nearest part of him to the ground - a good three feet away from the turf as he clung on to the ball."

Ricky Ponting took an amazing slip catch off Brett Lee to dismiss New Zealand batsman Jamie How, Adelaide Test , 2008

"There's obviously been a lot of great catches around since cricket has been on. Playing in games and watching a game live, that is the most amazing catch I have ever seen," Brett Lee said.

Paul Collingwood held a stunning catch to remove Ricky Ponting, Australia v England, 3rd Test, Perth, 1st day, December 16, 2010 

One of the Landmark Catches in Recent Times.

"Colly, old chap, you've just caught the Ashes." Reported The Guardian

Andrew Strauss dives full length to dismiss Gilchrist off Flintoff in the fourth Ashes Test in 2005.  

One the Great Images of that English Summer. Moments like this made that series Epic.

Mike Hussey dives to pull off an outstanding catch in the deep,to dismiss Ashwell Prince Australia v South Africa, VB Series, Brisbane, January 15, 2006

Cricinfo described it as "Hussey ran in from mid-wicket to square leg with his left hand out. He stretched a little more than one's imagination could and flung himself towards the ball. The scoreboard innocuously read Prince c Hussey b McGrath 19."

Glenn McGrath took a Stunner in the Outfield to dismiss Michael Vaughan, Fourth Day, Australia Vs England, Adelaide Oval, November 24, 2002 

"Best Catch I Ever Took", said McGrath  . Rightly so!!

Mark Waugh took a blinder off McGranth, in the slips to get rid of Wajahatullah Wasti, Australia v Pakistan, Final, World Cup, Birmingham, June 20, 1999.

In a World Cup Final, at Lord's, he set the tone of the match with a this stunning catch. And Pakistan were bowled out for 132 !!

Ricky Ponting pulled a stunning catch to dismiss New Zealand batsman Iain O'Brien off the bowling of Shane Warne (behind) on the fourth day of the first Test in Christchurch on Sunday, March 13, 2005

Ponting , along with Jonty and Collingwood will go down as one of the Best Fielders of the last Decade!!

Steve Smith leaped high in the air to take a amazing catch to dismiss Travis Dowlin in Australia's 2nd Twenty20 match against the West Indies at the SCG , February 23, 2010

He is definitely one of the best Fielders today . Growing in stature with every match. Showed his fielding class again in this year's IPL.!!

South African bowler Robin Peterson takes a Super catch to dismiss New Zealand batsman Brendon McCullum during the Cricket World Cup 2011 quarter-final  in Dhaka on March 25, 2011

JP Duminy took a stunning catch against Sri Lanka in the 5th ODI at Johannesburg, Jan 22, 2012

Ben Laughlin dismisses Albie Morkel with a catch to remember, South Africa v Australia, 5th ODI, Johannesburg, April 17, 2009

Just look at the reaction of the Spectators!!

Nathan Lyon pulls off a spectacular catch to complete his five-for, Sri Lanka v Australia, 1st Test, Galle, 2nd day, September 1, 2011

Dwayne Bravo pulls of a stunning caught and bowled, to dismiss Shane Warne, Australia v West Indies, 3rd Test, Adelaide, 3rd day, November 27, 2005 

Dwayne Leverock takes a stunning one-handed catch to dismiss Robin Uthappa, Bermuda v India, Group B, Trinidad, March 19, 2007

And Finally one from a man well aided by Gravity !! If he can do it, Munaf Patel or anyone cant make any excuse !!

These were some of the Amazing Catches in Cricket. There have been more that missed the focus of camera, especially in the outfields. No photographer could capture Collingwood's another airborn, right-handed grab to dismiss a glum looking Hayden in 2005. That was touted as one best in the Cricket History. You can watch it here.