This blog post will be the start for the annual round up blog posts from my side. The music of 2009 was intriguing rather than interesting when it came Tamil movie world. Harris Jayaraj with his own set repeated jingles catered to the masses whereas Rahman settled for nil direct release in Tamil this year. Ilaiyaraja had very few and Yuvan was impressive only in parts. This year really belongs to the new bees – Thaman of Boys fame scintillated the audience with Eeram and Sundar C.Babu, son of yesteryear violinist Chitti Babu raised the rate of heart beats with Sambho Siva Sambho in Nadodigal.

The quality of songs and music have drastically come down in Tamil Cinema in the recent years. The songs are skewed towards hip hops and kuthu paatus rather than melodies. What’s worse is the amount of copycats and inspirations from different parts of the world. Harris Jayaraj is gaining prominence like Deva and Anu malik of the 90s…

Now for our Top 5 list. Click the title of the song to watch it in Youtube

5. Sambho Siva Sambho from Nadodigal – a heart thumping and fast paced number which runs like the vein of the movie.

4. Nila Nee Vanam Kaatru from Pokkisham – I wrote a detailed review on the song when the movie was released. It stuck to my heart. A titillating melody..

3. Om Shiva Om from Naan Kadavul – This one is a haunting piece from Maestro Ilaiyaraja and it sounds really eerie with the Sanskrit lyric sung by Vijay Prakash

2. Neethane from Sarvam – Hear out the scintillating prelude and the music arrangements. More than any other, this one is the best picturized song of the year

1.   Mazhaiye Mazhaiye from Eeram – The top slot goes to Thaman’s Mazhaiye Mazhaiye from Eeram. A riveting entry to youngster as a musician. I could not explain the song but hear it out when you walk or see the rain.. You will cherish the experience

The Hindi Music was dominated by the brilliance of AR Rahman in the first part and the second half was distributed to Shankar Ehsan Loy trio, Pritam and Maestro Ilaiyaraja. Pritam hasn’t stopped copying, Himesh hasn’t stopped shouting at his low pitch and Music directors never stopped producing mediocre albums. And more importantly the marketing has gone to the TVs where the singers and music directors promote their songs in music reality shows. If anyone hears a crap song for 10 times, he would start liking it. I mean i dunno where Hindi Film music is heading too… We had some great albums like Yuvraaj ( the movie was bad, of course) Bachna He Haseeno, Tum Mile but otherwise the music albums were more predictable and boring

Here are the Top 5 for the Year

5. Iktara from Wake Up Sid : Although i hated the movie, this song has that long lorn sad feeling to it and if you miss some one you will love it. The lyrics and the music are simple with amazing interludes.

4. Pehli Baar Mohabbat from Kaminey: Just one question – Why does Vishal Bharadwaj make so less music albums?

Next 3 are equally best from the best

3. Emosional Athyachar from Dev D: Amit Trivedi is the real hero of this movie which gives a practical dark take on Devdas. This musical piece has that tangy tune with meaningful lyric.

2. Mudhi Mudhi from Paa ( All versions): Maestro at his best. Few had a feeling it’s a rework of Ninnukori Varnam from Agni Natchathiram. But it has a far fetched resemblance to it. Simple situational lyrics make all the 3 versions masterpieces. Shaan or Sunitha Rao?

1. Rehna Tu from Delhi 6 : This album is one of the best from AR Rahman. I would even rate it well and above oscar winning Slumdog Millionaire. When AR Rahman is given the freedom in doing music, he gives you the best. I still rate Duet, Kaadhal Virus as one of his best rather than Mudhalvan and Indian.

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Bala is a talented director. He has this wonderful talent of making movies with strong and raw emotions. The other thing I like about him is his faith in ilaiyaraja..

Naan Kadavul is his 4th movie. Till now I consider Sethu as his master piece because of the same raw emotion of love and a very poignant ending. Naan Kadavul should have been made with Ajith in the lead. I felt very happy about the combo, because I always feel Ajith has been under used in most of his movies. But Bala’s eventual spat and his arrogant approach in Ajith’s issue left a bad taste in me. Anyways it’s unfortunate that they could not be together.

Now for the music album of Naan Kadavul. You can definitely find that proof why Ilaiyaraja is a Genius. It technically has 6 tracks.

1. Om Shiva Om – the best track of the album. Although I am a non- believer, I love Raaja’s devotional tracks like “Janan”. This one is of that cadre. It gets in to your heart and takes you to a different world. The genuinity of the track is so overwhelming.

2.Pitchai Pathiram – The song is from Rajavin Ramana Maalai- a must have for all Raaja Fans. But it has a freshness due to the voice of Madhu Balakrishnan

3. Amma Un Kovilil- Another rendering from Raajavin Ramana Maalai. I dunno how Sadhana Sargam could sing so good in Tamil when she sings for Raaja alone. A definite candidate for her next national award. A very poignant rendering with strong lyrics. A sure shot tear jerker.

4. Madha Un Kovilil – by Madhumitha is a short different version of the previous track

5 6 – Kannil Parvai Kaatril Alayum -Shreya Ghoshal is the modern day Janaki for Raaja. A sure addition to all his albums from her first song with Raaja. I think these two songs should be the sad love montages between the lead characters. Don’t miss Raaja’s voice in Katril Alayum.

A master piece from Raaja. Of course it’s the BGMs where he is going to take our hearts away. Waiting for Nandalala too with Myskkin.

I dunno whether Aham Brammahasmi ( I am God) suits the movie or Bala, but it definitely suits Ilaiyaraja, because he is the God of Music.

P.S. Why don’t producers sell the original soundtrack of Raaja BGMs like the way they do it for Hollywood Movies?

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