Heavy Rotation: Ilaiyaraaja (Part I)

Revisiting the incomparable music maestro that's Ilaiyaraaja...

Mannil Indha (Keladi Kanmani) - Classic Raja tune set in keeravani raga, and S.P.B. just wows!

Thendral Vanthu Theendumbothu (Avatharam) - Musically rich and undoubtedly one of Ilaiyaraaja's finest compositions.

Rakkamma Kaiya Thattu (Thalapathi) - Violins, violins, and violins, and of course the first-class arrangements, the seamless fusion, and SPB and Swarnalatha's top-notch singing.

Vaa Vennila, Kuzhaloodum, Ooru Sanam (Mella Thirandhathu Kadhavu) - My first exposure to Ilaiyaraaja (who was in charge of the orchestration, while the tunes were composed by M. S. Viswanathan) happened with Vaa Vennila, and it's still one of my favourites.

Ithu Oru Pon Malai (Nizhalgal), Ennodu Paattu Paadungal (Udaya Geetham), Ilaya Nila (Payanangal Mudivathillai), Valaiosai (Sathya), Poththi Vachcha (Mann Vasanai), Innum Ennai Enna (Singaravelan) - There's no denying the brilliance that's Ilaiyaraaja, and when S.P.B. joins the mix, the result can only be summed up as magical!

Kaatril Varum (Oru Naal Oru Kanavu) - If there is a way to experience bliss, this is simply it!

Thenmadurai Vaigai Nadhi (Dharmathin Thalaivan) - Gosh, that violin in the first interlude is just amazing!

Shenbagame Shenbagame (Enga Ooru Pattukaran), Poongatru Thirumbuma (Muthal Mariyathai), Saathu Nada (Sethupathi IPS), O Butterfly (Meera) - Some of the very few Tamil songs sung by Asha Bhosle but immensely melodious ones at that.

Va Va Va Kanna Va (Velaikaran) - A very tuneful melody from the maestro sung beautifully by Mano and Chithra.

Maasi Masam Alana Ponnu (Dharma Durai) - Sensuous and mellifluous in equal measure, Ilaiyaraaja weaves his magic in style.

Kalyana Then Nila (Mounam Sammadham) - One of the many evergreen melodies from the maestro, and my god, what beautiful lyrics!

Enna Saththam Indha Neram, Yedhedho Ennam Valarthen, Theme Music, Vaan Megam Poo Poovaai (Punnagai Mannan) - Timeless is the word.

Ada Veettukku (Kizhakku Vaasal), Raaja Raajathi (Agni Natchathiram) - Ilaiyaraaja himself has sung a lot of songs for his own compositions, but these two contrastingly different dance numbers couldn't get any more peppy!

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