Echoes of the Maestro – Song 50 – Nee irukkum

“Nee Irukkum” is a recent Tamil song composed by Illayaraja, who also penned the lyrics for the movie Jama. I believe this song may have slipped under the radar for many, so I wanted to bring it to everyone’s attention.

Echoes of the Maestro – Song 49 – Ulagathukaaga Pirandhavan

Another GOAT album from the Rajnikanth – Illayaraja combo and this film also marks the debut of Karthik Raja with the Pandiyanin Rajjiyathil song which is one of my favorites from the album and is interesting all the songs in this film are sung by Mano and K.S. Chitra amma for the duets. Back then only a couple of films would have such things but nowadays we get to listen to the same voice everywhere, pch!

Echoes of the Maestro – Song 48 – Podhuvaga En Manasu Thangam

If Oruvan Oruvan Mudhalali is the go-to Rajni Intro song for the 90’s kids, then Podhuvaga En Manasu Thangam is the GOAT Rajni Intro song for all Thalaivar fans across the age spectrum. This movie cemented Rajnikanth as a Mass action hero and the Superstar he has become and this song spectacularly propagates the exact thing. Initially, the director requested a different tune

Echoes of the Maestro – Song 47 – Sennorita, I Love You

Johnny is one of the wholesome albums from Illayaraja and it’s hard for people to not love the songs. One of my all-time favorites is Senorita, I Love You. What’s interesting about this song is that the prelude sets a different mood than the rest of the song. It starts off with high energy

Echoes of the Maestro – Song 46 – Kaathodu Poovurasa

R. Thiyagarajan directed Anbukku Naan Adimai which was simultaneously directed in Telugu with slightly different cast members. This film was also remade in Hindi in 1990 as Thanedaar which had the big names playing pivotal roles

Echoes of the Maestro – Song 45 – Akkarai Cheemai Azhaginiley

If Sorgame Endralum is about a man going outside his country and praising the Motherland this song is about a man astronishing about the advancements in the foreign land. Sorgame Endralum is an anti-thesis to Akkarai Cheemai Azhaginiley.

Echoes of the Maestro – Song 44 – Kanmaniye Kaadhal Enbadhu

“Kanmaniye Kaadhal Enbadhui” is a beautiful song set in the Mohanam raaga. The Veena portion at the beginning sets the mood for the romance in this song. It’s one of my all-time favorites of the Rajni – Illayaraja combo and a surprising film from the Rajni – S.P. Muthuraman combo.

Echoes of the Maestro – Song 43 – Appane Appane Pullayar Appane

Annai oru Aalayam was released I was not even born but I clearly remember watching the movie in bits and pieces, especially this song. It was not only catchy when I was a kid, but it also had cute visuals where the baby elephant dances, plays musical instruments, and whatnot

Echoes of the Maestro – Song 42 – Oru Thanga Radhathil

I have listened to this beautiful sister song several times sung by the mellifluous Malaysia Vasudevan, sir. Oru Thanga Radhadhil is composed in the Raaga Moganam, a happy raga that is said to give courage and confidence.

Echoes of the Maestro – Song 41 – Aagayam Mele

Aagayam Mele is such a fun song set at the beach. The music aptly puts us in the mood. Unlike other beach songs, this one has a tinge of message. You can call it a message or just another song people sing when they’re high. K.J. Yesudas’s voice makes it even more funky! Interestingly, this film is an official remake of the Hindi Film Majboor, directed by