Few Americans had heard of A.R Rahman prior to him being catapulted onto the world stage as “Slumdog Millionaire” took the Golden Globes and Oscars by storm. However, before all the western interest in a fresh new eastern oriented sound, Mr. Rahman has been producing hits for years in India that led to him being called the Mozart of Madras. After listening to the entire soundtrack to “Slumdog Millionaire” I felt that it that deserved the awards it had won, including Oscars for Best Original Music Score and Best Original Song. However, there are other songs of AR Rahman that deserved to be recognized for their sheer beauty. I have compiled a list of what I believe to be his 10 best songs.
1. Chaiyya Chaiya (from the movie Dil Se Re).
This extremely catchy song is sung by Sukhwinder Singh and Sapna Awasthi. It is particularly enjoyable because of its mystical Sufi inspiration. The drums in the background create a near trancelike state. The music video for this song also makes a memorable impression as Bollywood megastar Sharukh Khan rides on top of a moving train as the beauty of ancient India collide with modernity.
2. Vande Mataram-
This song will make any Indian well with pride. This patriotic song is very moving and the music video is even more inspirational as it moves throughout India showing the myriad of traditional cultures and landscapes. Vande Mataram which translates to “Bow to thee Mother” is the national song (not anthem) of India. Although this song has been around since 1896, AR Rahman’s version released in 1997 at India’s 50th anniversary has been wildly popular along with its corresponding video.
3. Ramta Jogi-This beautiful song lliterally translated as “wandering wiseman” was produced for a movie with not so stellar reviews, “Taal”. Many people have raved that this is one of Rahman’s best song. The song starts out with a slow chant-like rhythm and progresses into a fast paced catchy tune (many fans adore the fast paced part of the video since that is when Aishwariya Rai enters). Although it may sound odd translated in English, the song quite beautifully speaks of drinking a glass of love, and living for centuries just in that one moment.
4. Liquid Dance- This song from the “Slumdog Millionaire” soundtrack has a very addictive rhythm. While this song never reached the popularity of Jai Ho, I am particularly fond of it because it shows Rahman’s ability to mix traditonal and modern elements. The song begins with what to a westerner sounds like scatting , but this type of music is typically used in Indian traditional dance. It goes on to implement very electronic almost techno style beats with the ‘scatting’ contiuning in the background. Although Rahman has no need to create music with a western flair since his Indian beats are already wildly popular, it is interesting to see a different type of genre by him.
5. Rukkumani/Rukmani
This song from the 1992 Tamil movie “Roja”, begins with a classical sounding Indian voice asking “what happens after marriage, who win’s, who loses?” This song implements more traditional sounding music than Rahman often does. This song is just one of many off of the very popular soundtrack that went on to win national awards and was even named Time magazine’s “10 best soundtracks” of all time in 2005,
6. Yaaro Sun Lo Zara
This 1995 song from the movie “Rangeela” was also part of a wildly popular soundtrack. This song was part of Rahmans first Hindi score and the song consists of a popular technique in Indian songs where the man and woman go back and forth singing. In this particular song, the male singer is courting the female and she wants to know why she should listen to him or like him since he doesn’t have anything. He responds telling the people around him to “listen”, he may not have a car or a bungalow but he lives life without worries
7. Piya Haji Ali- This song from the movie “Fiza” is about a famous mosque/masjid in Mumbai where all faiths go to pray called the Haji Ali. The song has a very haunting beginning reminiscent of a muezzin calling Muslims to prayer. The song progresses into a rhtym consiting of Indian tablas, group hand clapping, and the Indian harmonium. The song praises the mosque for uniting, Hindu’s, Muslim’s, Sikhs and Christians at its grounds. As a Muslim convert Rahman often includes songs with Islamic and especially Sufi themes.
8. Chale Chalo– This song from the critically acclaimed movie “Lagaan” is sung by Rahman and Srinivasare and written by Javed Akhtar. The movie and song are very powerful stories about overcoming the one who ‘bangs’ against us. The movie is set during the British colonial period of India and the Indians are learning the game of cricket in order to play against their British occupiers in order to not pay their land tax. Chale Chalo meaning “Keep going” and relates to their fight in the game and the larger battle. Very powerfully the song says: “Even if there is complete darkness, keep going, keep going’. A truly beautiful composition.
9. Mere Yaar Mila De
This love song from the movie “Saathiya” is part of the award winning soundtrack which won Rahman many awards including Best Music Director and Best Composer. The singers in the song are capable of capturing the raw emotion of the film. This powerful song is about two lovers searching for each other. The song says “I cracked open the moon and stars, I broke apart the stars, for only the sound of your footsteps.” Very beautiful and moving.
10.Mausum & Escape
My selection of this unlikely choice from “Slumdog Millionaire” may upset many who feel I am overlooking Rahmans more powerful work. However, when listening to the peaceful beginning of this song into the powerful crescendo implementing the Indian sitar I can’t help but fall in love and continue to replay this song. Those who have seen the movie will remember the scene where Jamal, Salim and Latika are escaping from their captors to get onto a moving train. I do not think there could be a more powerful composition to accurately portray that moment of pure adrenaline.
It is very difficult to choose only ten songs from a composer who has produced countless compositions. There will be many people who disagree with me for choosing two from Slumdog Millionaire and overlooking his Tamil songs which also deserve high praise. I am glad to know that Slumdog Millionaire has shown this musical genius to the rest of the world. Although Rahman may not have needed the western audience since he is already one of the top selling artists in the world having already sold 100 million records of his film scores/soundtracks and 200 million cassettes.
