Dubbed the "Mozart of Madras", A. R. Rahman is a music superstar and a prolific composer for Indian films. Yet, with two Grammy Awards and two Oscars, he doesn't let his success go to his head. In a recent IANS interview, he explained:
"To be successful, it is also very important to be humble and never let fame or money travel to your head. Ego is 'Edging God Out'. Success is important, but it doesn't always drive creativity. The integrity and passion of music is what ultimately drives me, with the unconditional blessing from the Almighty of course," he said.
The following songs are my current favorites from his extensive playback singing repertoire. As a singer, his voice is both calming and passionate. These songs are meditative musical reflections of a seeking soul that are authentic, honest, and haunting - and they invoke an emotional response.
Rahman's music comes from his heart. When he puts voice to these songs in a film, they become powerful.
1. "Dil Se Re"
The Story of the Film So Far: Amar Varma (Shah Rukh Khan), a programme executive for All India Radio, meets Meghna (Manisha Koirala) at a train station. He is attracted to her but she boards a train before he can find out more about her. When he arrives at the border state he interviews local residents, including the leader of a terrorist group, about India after 50 years of independence. He meets Meghna again several times and eventually follows her home where he tells her he is in love with her.
Why I Love This Song: This love song plays out against a backdrop of blockades, explosions, and armed soldiers running through the streets. At one point, a group of school children appear, running, skipping, and dancing amidst the remnants of a city under seige. This song is a reminder that life and love go on regardless of the surrounding circumstances.
Film: Dil Se ... (1998)
Singers: A. R. Rahman, Anuradha Sriram, Anupama & Febi Mani
Composer: A. R. Rahman
Lyricist: Gulzar
Length: 6:44
Recognition: MTV Video Music Award for Best Song (International Viewer's Choice)
2. "Mera Yaar Mila De"
The Story of the Film So Far: Aditya (Vivek Oberoi) meets Suhani (Rani Mukherji) at a wedding and begins pursuing her, eventually asking her to marry him. However, Aditya's rich lifestyle and Suhani's middle-class lifestyle creates a rift between their parents. Suhani, who is studying to be a doctor, tells Aditya that the relationship won't work. They break up then Suhani goes off to do her internship at a traveling medical camp. Unable to live without Suhani, Aditya tries to track her down.
Why I Love This Song: Sometimes we go on impossible searches and come up empty-handed. Sometimes what we are searching for isn't what we need. But hope and perseverance in the search may lead us to exactly what we desire.
Film: Saathiya (2002)
Singer: A. R. Rahman
Composer: A. R. Rahman
Lyricist: Gulzar
Length: 5:43
3. "Ye Jo Des Hai Tera"
The Story of the Film So Far: Mohan Bhargava (Shah Rukh Khan) is a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) working as a Project Manager at NASA. After twelve years in the US, he decides to return to his village in India to find his nanny. The village he returns to is as low-tech as he is high-tech, but he discovers a connection to the land and the people that he had forgotten. When he returns to the United States, his experience and connection with the village and its people weighs heavily on his mind.
Why I Love This Song: Mohan's experiences and memories of India infiltrate his daily life after he returns to the U.S. He feel the pull of his country and the people in his village. He also feels the draw of being a valued member of a real community.
Film: Swades (2004)
Singer: A. R. Rahman
Composer: A. R. Rahman
Lyricist: Javed Akhtar
Length: 6:28
4. "Tere Bina"
The Story of the Film So Far: It is 1951 and Gurukant "Guru" Desai (Abhishek Bachchan) dreams of making it big some day. He marries Sujata (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) mainly because of the dowry she brings him. Guru migrates to Bombay with Sujata and her brother (and his partner) Jignesh (Arya Babbar) and starts trading in cloth. When the relationship between Jignesh and Guru breaks down, Jignesh tells Sujata that the only reason Guru married her was for the dowry.
Why I Love This Song: Though Guru loves Sujata, she feels betrayed. This item number gently reminds us (and them) of the life shared to date. They seek to draw on that life to overcome this obstacle. This item number also takes the opportunity to present us with Aishwarya's impeccable dancing skills.
Related Post: VIDEO: Priyanka Chopra in Disney's "Planes" with Music by A.R. Rahman ("Tere Bina")
Film: Guru (2007)
Singers: A. R. Rahman, Murtuza Khan, Quadir Khan, Chinmayee
Composer: A. R. Rahman
Lyricist: Gulzar
Length: 5:09
Recognition: CNN-IBN Song of the Year Award
5. "Khwaja Mere Khwaja"
The Story of the Film So Far: In this sixteenth century love story, a marriage of alliance is arranged between Mughal Emperor, Jalaluddin Mohammad Akbar (Hrithik Roshan) and a Rajput princess, Jodhaa Bai (Aishwarya Rai), daughter of King Bharmal of Amer. She accepts the marriage arrangement provided that Jalaluddin allow her to keep her Hindu faith and not try to convert her to Islam.
Why I Love This Song: Regardless of your religious affiliation, this song offers nourishment for the soul.
Related Post: A Song of Devotion ("Khwaja Mere Khwaja" Jodhaa Akbar)
Film: Jodhaa Akbar (2008)
Singers: A. R. Rahman
Composer: A. R. Rahman
Lyricist: Kashif
Length: 6:56
Here are the songs together in a video playlist.
If you like this post, check out our other Friday Five lists of Bollywood films.