Fine nuances. Sheer diversity. Wild imaginations. Layered subtlety. Originality combined with pure genius. Invoking unknown emotions. Rahman's music is all about possibility, every possibility. You just can't understand how one can be so consistent. Well, I can't understand. The good thing is that it is okay if I don't understand. You don't understand beauty. You just appreciate it. You just wonder about it. You just try to get lost in it. Such is the magic of A R Rahman's music.

Legend of A R Rahman is always under appreciated. There are songs which are not all that famous. You don't hear those songs on televisions, FM channels or in a cafe. Very few people have those songs in their collections. No, they aren't lost. They are just less known or under-appreciated

Actually there are many songs which are relatively less known but I haven't tried to list them all. Besides, I listed down only Hindi songs for simple reason that I don't have any idea of audiences of other language. 


TIP:- Create a playlist of following songs. Listen to them more than once. Give them some time. Let them grow on your mind. And you'll know what you have been missing till now!

Enjoy!

1- 'Shauk Hai' from Guru

This song was not originally released with movie's music. This song was later released as a part of different album. But what a song! Enthralling. Simple. Silky voice. Philosophical tone. You want to listen to it in the spreading silence of the night. You feel like walking in the unknown garden in night full of moonlight. Just beautiful.



2- 'Pyare Panchi Bahon Mein' from Hindustani

Yet another masterpiece by A R Rahman. Beautifully sung by Yesudas. Such an earthy song with rustic rhythm. This song actually conjures up imagination of beautiful family life in a small village. Full of bliss. In fact the word 'Anand' is the resonating theme of this song. You just don't hear or never heard this kind of composition in Hindi music scene. Not one second of music is wasted. And you know what is the best part of this song? It is the piece between opening lines (mukhda) and first stanza (antara). I just love humming that piece. 


3- 'Khili Chandni' from Priyanka

The Hindi version of movie was disaster. I haven't watched the movie and I even don't remember it being released. Its music also flopped. But it has some very good songs. Khili Chandni is one of them. The song has two versions: one by Hariharan and other by Harini. These songs are slow paced and classical in nature. Again, in Hindi music scene (as against to southern language movies), you just don't encounter these kind of songs. And that is what makes these songs so special. Actually these songs were adopted in Hindi from tamil movie 'Indira' and original tamil versions of the song were hugely hit. Both versions are great, though I like female version more. In fact, all songs from Priyanka are gems (to discerning ears.)

Sadly, at the time of writing this blog, I couldn't find the video of this song on YouTube. Though video of tamil version is there on YouTube.

4- 'Ye Swargabhoomi' from Priyanka

Again from Priyanka. A patriotic song set in the rural background.You just feel the mood of river flowing down through the mountains. Innocent. Fresh. Spontaneous. Even playful. The pace at which song's tune changes is just amazing. Different styles in just one song. No traditional 'mukhra' and 'antara' set-up here. One of the grossly under-rated but equally great song by ARR.

Again, no video of this song can be found on YouTube. 

5- 'Gurus of Peace' from album 'Vande Matram'

A single song. Two legends. Result has to be great. I wouldn't say this song is underrated. But you don't hear this song being played that often. This is a song about humanity and universal love. Nusrat Saheb did total justice to this song. His voice sounds so innocent in this song. And I particularly like the chorus part by children. In all, an awesome song. 



6- 'Roja Roja' from Dil Hi Dil Mein

Though the movie flopped, music of  Dil Hi Dil Mein was a big hit except for this song. This is a beautiful romantic song and the voice of Hariharan was beautifully exploited by ARR. Lyric is equally good.Though I hear that tamil version is rather better but I haven't heard that. And I don't regret that as I find no flaw in this song. In particular, the way tune progresses in 'antara' is just amazing. Despite this song being romantic and having catchy tune, why this wasn't hit is beyond my understanding.



7- 'Khili Re' from Raavan

As such tracks from Ravan weren't that hit barring exception like 'Raanjha Raanjha'. In my own view, almost all the tracks are superb.  But the song 'Khili Re' went into oblivion a bit too quickly despite being such a captivating song. Reena Bhardwaj's svelte and fragile voice, classical touch and Gulzar's poetry create the bewitching magic. This song has the quality of sublime tenderness of love. You feel like your lady-love is whispering some sweet-nothings into your ears. 



8-  'Nisarisa' (Theme Song) from Jeans

This is not a song in traditional sense but a theme music. But again, there is very little traditional about ARR's compositions. This theme song has slightly western touch but it is melodious as hell. Lyric is in English. You are sure to fall in love with this and will keep humming the tune. Sweet as nectar. Fresh as morning sun light. Tune so avant-garde.



9- 'Raga's Dance'

This 'song' is not entirely an ARR song per se. Again, this is not a song in traditional sense. This is rather a collaboration between famous violinist Vanessa Mae and A R Rahman for former's album Choreography. But if you listen to it, you'll see ARR written all over it. Vanessa's violin along with Indian classical rendering sets the theme for song. Thoroughly enjoyable. 



10 - 'Meherban' from Ada: A Way of Life

The movie was doomed from start. Rahman composed the music for this movie in 2001 but music was launched in 2008. And movie was released in 2010 and sank into oblivion. When I heard that music for Ada had been composed by ARR, I kind of assumed that music would be average. But I was proved wrong. This is ARR most underrated album. Though I single out Meherban from this album, I have to add that each and every song from this album is equally good. As for this song, ARR sang it wholeheartedly. His voice sounds so soothing and gracious. When you listen to this song, you just feel at peace and mesmerized. You just want to fall in love all over again.  




Actually, I wanted to add at least 20 more songs to this list but making extensive list wasn't my aim. For example, Rang De Basanti theme is just awesome but isn't included here. Same thing goes for 'Dil Hai Sanam Dil' and 'Chandralekha' from movie 'Chor Chor'. The point is: if you like this collection, you can explore more of ARR on your own. There are dozens of pieces which even I am unaware of.

One more thing, I have provided YouTube links to the songs. As such, this isn't a good idea because the sheer beauty of songs is lost while watching videos. I suggest one should make a playlist of audio songs rather than watching videos.