Anantha Krishnan
10. Rasathi Unna Kanatha Nenju – Vaidehi Kathirunthal (1984)
This song has been a companion to many a drunk South Indian men. It opens up a very emotional, intimate state of being within me, but I wouldn’t call it a completely sad song, since I sense hints of happiness in the music. P Jayachandran has often been called ‘Bhava Gayakan’ because of how well he understands the sentiments of the songs he renders, and this right here is a powerful example of just that.
9. Devasangeetham Neeyalle – Guru (1997)
Devasangeetham Neeyalle is Ilaiyaraaja’s best work in the Malayalam language, and it is up there with his most complex compositions. Guru is one of the greatest Indian films ever made, and among its biggest strengths is the music, which both Raaja and Yesudas perfected to the extents of their respective talents.
8. Chinnanchiru Vayathil – Meendum Kokila (1981)
When SP Sailaja takes on the highest of notes in Chinnanchiru Vayathil, the song attains a level of magical pureness that Yesudas carries forward with his continuation of the piece after it is suddenly broken. Sailaja does a little giggle amidst her singing when she resumes – a ‘cherry-on-top’ sort of moment in the classical composition. Meendum Kokila is one of the most honest (and hilarious) Tamil films I’ve come across.
7. Ilaya Nila Pozhigirathu – Payanangal Mudivathillai (1982)
Ilaya Nila Pozhigirathu is an extremely popular Tamil song – so popular that the music was copied and used in the film Kalakar (1983) under the title Neele Neele Ambar Par by Kalyanji-Anandji, and that went on to become even more successful. SP Balasubramanyam’s voice takes this masterpiece to heights way up that the remake doesn’t stand to compare with it.
6. Pothi Vacha Malliga Mottu – Mann Vasanai (1983)
Pothi Vacha Malliga Mottu is my favourite romantic song composed by Ilaiyaraaja. SP Balasubramanyam and S Janaki have together worked on some of the music director’s best love songs, and this one is the undisputed classic of the lot. The lyrics are some of the loveliest I have ever heard. Isaignani worked wonders with his trademark simplicity.
5. Kanne Kalaimane – Moondram Pirai (1982)
The greatest lullaby in existence. I connect to this song so much because my parents used to sing it to me when I was younger as they tucked me into bed. Surumaye Ankhion Mein, the Hindi remake of this touching piece is also good, but I personally find Kannadasan’s piercing lyrics more affecting. I don’t think I have the right words in my vocabulary to describe how good Yesudas is here.
4. Sendhura Poove – Pathinaaru Vayathinile (1977)
This is, by far, my favourite song about nature, but it’s a lot more than just that. S Janaki sings about the dreams and wishes of a young girl as she slowly steps out of adolescence, and the lyrics capture innocence with such stupendous magnificence that I find it hard to believe that such amazing words were able to find themselves the perfect tune to voice them, because this composition is one of the greatest of all time. Janaki won her first National Award for this song.
3. Kaathirunthu Kaathirunthu – Vaidehi Kathirunthal (1984)
‘Heart-breaking’ does not begin to define how emotional and haunting Kaathirunthu Kaathirunthu is. P Jayachandran gives the greatest song of his career here. Along with the respective scenes from the film, it captures the loneliness and helplessness of man beautifully, striking a chord with the soulful, immersive musical experience it is.
2. Ooru Sanam Thoongiruchu – Mella Thiranthathu Kathavu (1986)
Picking favourite Ilaiyaraaja songs is not an easy thing to do, given the huge body of work and substantially high number of classics that have been credited to his name. This song and the next are ones that have had an effect on me like no other musical piece has. I can’t really describe what I feel when I listen to S Janaki’s Ooru Sanam Thoongiruchu. For a moment, I feel like I have understood true beauty. I honestly can’t go further.
1. En Vaanilae – Johnny (1980)
Along with its magnificent background score, the soundtrack to Johnny is my favourite thing Ilaiyaraaja has done. Like what I said about the previous entry, I can’t explain what goes through my head when I listen to this track. Is this what complete and utter tranquility sounds like? I feel like I’m dreaming up something magical – though I am unable to describe what it is exactly as and when I conjure it up in my head – when I listen to this. The composition here is celestial. Ilaiyaraaja is a national treasure.
