When you think of cricket, we say Sachin Tendulkar is the God of Cricket. When it comes to music without a second thought A. R. Rahman comes to your mind. He can undoubtedly be called the God of Music. We need to thank Mani Ratnam a Gazillion times to give the break that Rahman deserved. Had it not been for Mani Ratnam, our music industry would have never heard the best ever songs that the industry today has.
A. R. Rahman is not just a singer but also a composer, songwriter, musician, music producer and multi-instrumentalist. A. R. Rahman has been recognized and awarded time and again for his music and has won many awards like National award, Golden Globe award, Academy awards to name a few. A. R. Rahman has a song for every mood and each and every note of the song touches your soul.
Picking up the top 10 songs of A. R. Rahman is the most difficult thing ever because hey! How do you pick when every song is the best? But here are a few songs that touch my soul and a few songs that have been recognized and awarded and a few songs that every individual need to listen to.
Before you continue reading, I would suggest you put on your headphones and enjoy the soul touching songs while you read and I bet this would your best hour of the day.
Kadhal Rojave, Roja
I know I’m started with the much obvious song but trust me, I could not go any other way. This could by far be the best start of the list as it was because of this song and movie that we were introduced to the bundle of talent A. R. Rahman is. Mani Ratnam offered him Roja to compose the score and soundtrack in 1992 and Rahman won the National Award. Ever since then his journey has begun and we hope it never ends.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwOyulx92Ms
Jai Ho, Slumdog Millionaire
Slumdog Millionaire was the Gateway to winning Oscar for Rahman and thus this sure had to be on the list. The composition of this sung makes your feet go tapping. This made a room for the Indian music composers and singers get acclaimed overseas for their talent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwwAVRyNmgQ
Kyun Faya Kun, Rockstar
This one is my personal favourite and it takes me to a zone that I cannot even explain. Kun Faya Kun means ‘Be, and it is’. A. R. Rahman is the music composer of this track (and also the entire album) and has done complete justice to the beautiful lyrics written by Irshad Kamil. This track is sung by Javed Ali & Mohit Chauhan along with A. R. Rahman (We so do not want to be deprived of his voice).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T94PHkuydcw
Ay Hairathe, Guru
When we think of the Album Guru we immediately think of Tera Bina as that is the most famous song of this movie. But this song called Ay Hairathe steals my heart. Every note of the song is so beautiful and it has a touch of Tera Bina too. So if you aren’t familiar with this song, listen to it right away. Rahman is the music composer and incredible singers like Hariharan, Alka Yagnik, and Mohammed Aslam have collaborated to sing this song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=038jmlSH3iM
Rehna Tu, Delhi 6
Rehna Tu is yet another rare composition of the album Delhi 6. Prasoon Joshi is the lyricist and A. R. Rahman, Benny Dayal, and Tanvi are the singers. The music is so beautifully composed by Rahman that you will be lost in enjoying the beauty of this song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkcyYqwJq9s
Rubaroo, Rang De Basanti
Yet another awesome composition of Rahman is Rang De Basanti. According to me, the entire album is incredible with commendable music composition. To pick one is so unfair to the rest of the songs but if I really have to then it would be Rubaroo. The music is composed by A. R. Rahman with Prasoon Joshi writing beyond beautiful lyrics and sung by Naresh Iyer and if you listen to it carefully you can hear A. R. Rahman as well. Total Bliss!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kMv5ssr6Dw
Humma Humma, Bombay
The second Humma Humma plays all you want to do is bring out the Prabhu Deva or Michel Jackson in you and start dancing. That’s the beauty that Rahman brings to this song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7UpENWElEU
This song also has a Hindi version but that’s not news. The recent Hindi movie Ok Jaanu has a remake of this song with a rap. A lot of people haven’t really liked the song but I think it is awesome though it is nowhere close to the original track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tVL11ULjYY
Patakha Guddi, Highway
A. R. Rahman has always been more inclined towards music composition than singing. It is a rare instance where we can find him sing an entire song. Imitiaz Ali’s movie Highway has brought us that happiness as has not just composed the entire album but also sung a whole song. Patakha Guddi is a must on your playlist as this sure will give you Goosebumps while listening to it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30zJZPb-o3Q
Sandai Kozhi, Aayitha Ezhuthu
There sure is something magical about Mani Ratnam film and A. R. Rahman’s partnership. Aayitha Ezhuthu is yet another album that comprises of different genres of songs. Sandai Kozhi has been composed by Rahman and sung by Madhushree with a little touch of Rahman.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnDrd12ua8k
Vande Mataram
This is his best non-film composition and is one of the best-selling albums. Rahman has upped his game by this patriotic composition. Every note is so well composed and well sung. This has to be on the list and I think this is the best song I could think of to end the list with.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDn2bn7_YSM
So I’m going to add all these songs to my playlist and enjoy the next 60 minutes. What are you waiting for? Plug in your headphones and get on a musical ride of Rahman’s best.
Wait up, once you are done listening, Share this with your social circle and spread the labour of love through music.