The “Raja” named “Rahman”

February 23.. the nation woke up, prayed, perspired,chewed nails( and some fingers),anticipated,waited and froze when A.R.Rahman won the Oscars ! The first Indian to win two in a row, the first Southie, the first Tamilian and on a personally satisfying note the first PSBBian

It would have been too easy to get carried away and fake your identity, but being the humble man Rahman is, he remembered it all.. the Sherwani, his love for mother and most importantly his mother tongue-TAMIL ( All the Saviours of Tamil who wear Western Suits for gatherings and send your kith and kin to English convents, please spare the corporation wells, they can not take you all at a time )

Amidst all this, perhaps the only aspect that pained me was the way a few fans of Ilayaraja received this news and their sequence of reactions right from the build up to the Golden Globe. It is a blessing that India has been fortunate to enjoy the best works of possibly two of the greatest musicians that ever walked on earth, yet it is a pretty shameful that some amongst us do not have the stomach to digest the success of both the musicians equally.

I am a great fan of both ARR and Raja, and both in their own ways have achieved astronomical fame. Ilayaraja revamped film music with his impeccable orchestration,mind blowing BGM and melifluous folk tunes. Rahman revolutionised it by teaching India what “sound” meant to music.While Ilayaraja stayed within South Indian horizons, ARR’s unbridled talent enabled him venture into Hindustani,Arabic,Sufi,Irish folk,Jazz,Rap,Hollywood,Sky,Moon,Stars and above !

Sad that we , in India, always have this mindset of choosing one over the other. North vs South,Tamil vs English,Hindi vs Tamil,Rajni vs Kamal,MGR vs Shivaji,Sachin vs Saurav, IPL vs ICL.. if only we realised that everything could co exist !

I did not know how to end this one, so to wind up on a pleasant note, I will try listing my favourite numbers composed by both these geniuses.

Ilayaraja

10. Enakku Piditha Paadal (Julie Ganapathy)
9. Amma Yendrazhaikadha (Mannan)
8. Then Paandi Cheemayile (Nayagan)
7. Enna Sattham Indha Naeram (Punnagai Mannan)
6. Kodai Kaala Kaatrey (Panneer Pushpangal)
5. Ninnukori (Agni Nakshathram)
4. Sundari Kannal Oru Seidhi (Thalapathi)
3. Ilaya Nila (Payanangal Mudivadhillai)
2. Aagaya Vennilave (Arangetra Velai)
1. Mandram Vandha Thendralukku (Mouna Ragam)

Rahman

10. Thazhuvudhu Nazhuvudhu (Ah Aah-Anbey Aaruyirae)
9. Sahana Saaral (Sivaji)
8. Vennilave Vennilave (Minsara Kanavu)
7. Thenmaerku Paruvakaatru (Karuthamma)
6. Pudhu Vellai Mazhai (Roja)
5. Narumugaye (Iruvar)
4. Theekuruviyai (Kangalal Kaidhu Sei)
3. Thirupachi Aruval (Taj Mahal)
2. Chandhralekha (Thiruda Thiruda)
1. Minnale Nee Vandhadhenadi (May Madham)

Now, what is your favourite ?

P.S ( My original list for Ilayaraja songs had the number “Oru Kadhal Devadhai”.. One of my friends Aravindan rightly pointed out that the credits for the song belong to Shankar Ganesh )