Published by Aparna on 06 Jan 2008 at 10:24 pm
Happy Birthday Rahman!
Wishing A R Rahman and his son a very Happy Birthday! 
May they be blessed with a long, healthy and musical life filled with loads of happiness.
A.R.Rahman - Well, is there anything more to write about the man, his music and what it means to me? This was the thought I was having for the past few days. And that’s when it struck me how I can ever say that I have written everything about his music when he continues to give us new, wonderful compositions year after year?! Besides, hasn’t it been really a long time since I wrote about his music? Anyway I couldn’t think of any specific thing to write. Then all of a sudden, I started wondering if at all there is any mood/situation for which there is no song composed by Rahman. And that’s when song after song of Rahman’s came to my mind and thus was born this post. 
I know many have already written lists like this but it’s always a pleasure to remember Rahman’s songs and write about them. Here follows the list of songs that came to my mind when I thought about different situations/moods. I know this list is incomplete and I have missed out a lot of songs. So please do add more songs to the list that follows.
A girl lost in her dreams, singing happily in her dream world - Is there any song better than Chinna Chinna Aasai or Barso Re or Konjum MainaakkaLe or Poo Pookkum Osai or Margazhi Poove?
A girl teasing her sister/friend who has just fallen in love/ getting married - KaNNamoochi Yaenada (I know the lyrics as such wouldn’t put the song in this category, but the picturization did it), Yaaro Yaarodi
A girl who has just fallen in love - Netru Illaadha Maatram is THE song! Vairamuthu’s lyrics makes the song all the more beautiful.
A girl in love, singing happily - Chotta Chotta, Jiya Jale/Nenjinile, Anbe/Kalakalavena (From Rhythm), Saawariya, Yeh Rishta
A girl’s mehndi before her wedding - Mehndi Hai Rachnewaali
The wedding song - Wedding Qawwali (from Bombay Dreams)
A girl yearning for her lover - Evano Oruvan, My Wish Comes True
A girl whose dreams are shattered - Engae Enadhu Kavidhai
A girl offering her prayers to God - Anbendra Mazhaiyile
A guy jumping in joy after his girl smiles at him - Pacchai Nirame/Saathiya
A guy in love - EnnavaLe, Kanavaa, Anbe (from Kadhal Desam), Dheemi Dheemi
A guy yearning for the love of his lady love - O VeNNila, Anbe Anbe, Uyire/Tu Hi Re, Hariharan’s Nila Kaaigiradhu, Nahi Samne
A guy tortured by love - En Kaadhale
A husband missing his wife - New York Nagaram, Kadhal Rojaave
Separated lovers yearning for each other - PorkkaLam, Azhage Sugama, Tere Bina
Wanna say sorry to your girl? - I Am Sorry (from One 2 Ka 4)
A lullaby - Aahista
A mother/father’s love for his/her child - Kannatthil Muthamittal
A son’s love for his mother, songs about a mother’s greatness - Uyirum Neeye, part of Kaalayil Dinamum
A mother and a son missing each other - Lukka Chuppi
It’s celebration/party time? - Holi Re, Fanaa/Yaakkai Thiri, Kay Sara Sara, Nachle/Thaniye, Rang De Basanti, Mayya Mayya, Dol Dol, Lose Control are the songs for you.
In a mood to pray? - Ik Onkar, Anbendra Mazhaiyile, Piya Haaji Ali, Oh Paalanhaare
Sweet, sad song that puts you in contemplative mood - Ithuthaan Vazhkkai, Tum Ho Meri, Oru NaaL Oru Pozhudhu, kaNgaLiL Enna Eeramo
Duets with foot-tapping beats - Kadhalikkum PeNNin, July Madham, Uppu karuvaadu, Telephone Manipol, Azhagana Ratshasiye, Tanha Tanha, Thenmaerkku, Thee Thee
Soft romantic songs - Pudhu VeLLai Mazhai, Kaatre/Paigham, O Rey Chori, Tu Bin Bataye, Kismat Se Tum, Ay Hairate, En Mael Vizhundha, KaNNukku Mai Azhagu, Thoda Thoda, Hum Hai Is Pal Yahaan
Celebrating success? - Secret of Sucess, Mettu Poadu - a song that celebrates the lead characters’ achievement
Celebrating friendship? - Mustafa Mustafa, Oru NaNban
In a patriotic mood? - Maa Tujhe Salaam/Thaai maNNe vaNakkam, Des Ki Mitti, Des Mere, Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna, Tamizha Tamizha
NRI missing India/ Nostalgic about India? - Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera
Dare to dream & achieve it! Need the motivation? - Chale Chalo, Mitwa, Yunhi Chala Chal Raahi
Dreaming about a peaceful future? - Malaroadu Malar Ingu, VeLLai PookkaL
The Anthem for poverty - Pray For Me Brother
Then there are the different genres of music that he has composed:
Like dappankoothu/gaana songs? - Pettai Rap
Like folk songs? - Aathangara Marame, VaLayapatti
Like Carnatic? - KaNNodu KaaNbadellaam
Like Rap? - Dating, Baba Rap
And the list goes on….I can’t thank Rahman enough for giving us so many excellent compositions!
I can go on and on. But, I will stop with this now. You all please don’t forget to tell what songs come to your mind when you think of these moods/situations/genres and do add more moods/situations/genres.
Wishing Rahman a very Happy Birthday once again!
nathan on 06 Jan 2008 at 10:32 pm #
hi anna happy birthday to u,i pray to god keep u always happy,safely n healthy with ur family,fren n people around u always, god bless u forever anna.
Pradeepan on 06 Jan 2008 at 10:33 pm #
Rahman is yet to compose a song from a parent’s perspective celebrating new born child :))
And another situation I would really like him to compose is a person celebrating success - be it getting a job/landing up a good business deal.
Sriram on 06 Jan 2008 at 11:17 pm #
interesting the few songs that i like dont figure in ur list - narumugaye, and snehithane for instance. maybe its bcos i almost puke at romantic scenes & in general love parody more (cant recall the movie but viveks take on snehithane -budget padmanabhan?)or maybe bcos im too old now to acquire a taste for rahman- if memory serves me right he became a hit for roja right around hischool/college so its easily a generation separating us. in any case, happy bday to him & new yr to u.
Adiya on 06 Jan 2008 at 11:27 pm #
Superb A. good one. instead of i post a separate post i love to wish him from here as well.
Ranjhith on 06 Jan 2008 at 11:43 pm #
Well conceptualized post. Happy BDay ARR!
Sathej on 07 Jan 2008 at 9:26 am #
Another nice theme would be on the greatness of music…don’t know if he has composed on that…
Sathej
sivaraman on 07 Jan 2008 at 10:29 am #
Wonderful
. I know when u start with ARR or Maniratnam, the outcome would be awesome. continue this. and many more happy returns to ARR and his son (thanks for this new news!).
Rukesh on 07 Jan 2008 at 10:41 am #
Hey Aparna…
Nice post. This can be uploaded to WIKIpedia.
Cheers.
Rukesh D
Niveditha on 07 Jan 2008 at 10:59 am #
‘Raasathi’ from Thiruda Thiruda - an Acapella number with some gorgeous harmony in it.:)
sreekrishnan on 07 Jan 2008 at 1:19 pm #
you are doing an anyayam to rahman by listing outhis songs … Nyayama paatha discography podanum !! Disclaimer aavthu podunga pa !!
Happy Arr’s bday !
sangs on 07 Jan 2008 at 3:11 pm #
naalai ulagam illai endraal nee..- which category pls ?? ;-).i like this one a lot.
Anu on 07 Jan 2008 at 4:32 pm #
Hey aparna, being a crazy fan of Rahman since Roja days, this compilation is really wonderful. one more addition to lullaby - my favorite thendrale thendrale from kaadhal desam….this soothing melody can put me to sleep every time i listen to it if I couldn’t fall asleep. hope we could add more to this list for years to come!
Girish on 07 Jan 2008 at 10:09 pm #
Wow…You have literally noted down all the songs according to the mood and situations..way to go
BTW didnt knew that ARR’s son’s birthday too is on same day.
Wishing our Thalaivar and his son ‘Iniya Piranthanaal Vazhthakal’ (Hope I spelled it right)
Girish on 07 Jan 2008 at 10:10 pm #
And yes..excellent photo
Will save this image from here if you dont mind
Aparna on 09 Jan 2008 at 9:11 pm #
nathan,
Welcome to my blog.
Pradeepan,
>yet to compose a song from a parent’s perspective celebrating new born child :))
I saw in the group that someone had already given an answer that I wanted to give you. I too thought of Ek lo ek muft from Guru only when I read your comment.
>I would really like him to compose is a person celebrating success - be it getting a job/landing up a good business deal.
I have already mentioned this situation in my post. Secret of Success that I have listed for this situation.
Sriram said,
Welcome to my blog
Those are one of the many songs that I have missed out here
Thanks and a very happy new year to you too
Adiya,
You should have written a separate post. You don’t seem to be blogging regularly these days..
Thank you
Ranjhith,
Thank you
Sathej,
I can’t think of any song that would fit into this category but yeah it’s a nice theme indeed.
Sivaraman,
Thanks a lot
Rukesh,
Thanks.
Welcome back after a long time
Niveditha,
What’s Acapella? I am hearing this word the first time now ?
Sreekrishnan,
Idhula enna anyayam?
Sangs,
Adhu enna songnu enakku therilaye!
Anu,
Thanks. Hey yeah that’s such a lovely lullaby!
Welcome to my blog!
Girish,
Why do you need my permission to save it when I myself saved it from somewhere? 
T.U.Dinesh on 10 Jan 2008 at 11:12 pm #
aparna, your best post.
this man is a genius.
the only songs i felt you left out were
a guy and gal falling in love - vennilave (minsara kanavu)
a guy feeling bad for falling in love - vennilave (minsara kanavu)
Niveditha on 11 Jan 2008 at 2:41 pm #
A composition that is sung without any instruments.:) Harmony uses voices themselves. Lots of gospel,western acoustic,folk and pop in this genre but in Tamil Film Music,think ‘Raasathi’ is among the few.
Aparna on 13 Jan 2008 at 10:25 am #
Dinesh,
Thank you
Hey yeah those are two super songs that I had left out
Nivedhita,
Oh ok. Thanks for that new info
Nithya on 13 Jan 2008 at 10:57 am #
Bril post Aparna
Loved it totally ! Whatte way to wish ARR 
Aparna on 14 Jan 2008 at 8:31 am #
Nithya,
Thank you
Rukesh on 16 Jan 2008 at 9:39 am #
Hi Aparna,
For the past one month..your articles were more of Carnatic Concerts..in which i am illiterate…
Anyways..good article after a long time…
Cheers,
Rukesh D
Rukesh on 16 Jan 2008 at 9:40 am #
Hey aparna,
Any plan to join in KM music academy(ARR’s)??
-Rukesh
Aparna on 17 Jan 2008 at 8:57 am #
Rukesh,
Yeah I guessed that. thanks
I am not joining it!
Rukesh on 20 Jan 2008 at 7:50 pm #
Aparna,
Did u listen to Jodha-Akbar songs?? Review?
Aparna on 23 Jan 2008 at 1:36 pm #
Rukesh,
Written
R Sathyamurthy on 13 Dec 2008 at 1:21 pm #
Hi,
Nice to read about Rahman the Great. I am so happy that he is also a Capricorn like me (me 9/Jan). Remembering his songs, have you heard the two songs that is so tranquil and so so melodious in Kadhal Virus? Sonnalum Ketkavillai Kanni Manathu & Endhan Vaanil Kadhal Nilave (SPB oozes honey in this song).
Regards
R Sathyamurthy
bluesea on 06 Jan 2009 at 8:14 pm #
hi friend
“many many happy returns of this day”…. may god give u all the strengths for u and u r family members. its my one of the favorite day…
bluesea on 06 Jan 2009 at 8:23 pm #
hi friend
wish u happy many returns of this day.
enjoy dude
Hariharan on 16 Feb 2009 at 2:44 am #
Wow Wow Wow!!!! Aparna! awesome! I am sorry from 1-2 ka four is so cute. Such an amazing “sorry” song! you caught it. great!!
I really dont think connecting a situation to a scene in the move and relating it to Rahmans work is credit enough to him.
Shauk hai from Guru, if you listen carefully to the lyrics, maybe we have never heard anything like it before( atleast I have not)…….
It for me, is related to a person in post traumatic stress syndrome(no kidding)….
“kaash yes zindagi, khel hi khel me kho gai hoti;;;;”
Hari
Aparna on 25 Feb 2009 at 1:57 pm #
Hariharan,
Welcome to my blog!