Echoes of the Maestro – Song 55 – Aadi maasam Kaathadikka

Yet another Disco song from the Rajni – Illayaraja combo, even though the song is set on a Disco floor but it is a folk song out and out. Interestingly, this song starts as a disco, but immediately after the prelude, and briefly, after the 2nd pallavi, the music jumps back to Disco mode and jumps back into folk mode.

Echoes of the Maestro – Song 54 – Naan Thaan Toppu

Naan Than Toppu is one of those Rajni songs that falls into the Disco song troupe and also a genre called teasing the lead lady. This genre is often part of Tamil Cinema and is used to showcase the macho of the Male lead, even though this song is not as crass as Poomaalai. Sitting in 2024 and can’t fathom because they are the product of their times.

Echoes of the Maestro – Song 53 – Maapilaikku Maaman Manasu

Netrikkan had 3 Legends of this day joining forces and making a movie. K. Balachandar, produced and wrote the Screenplay of this movie, while Visu wrote the Story and was directed by S.P. Muthuraman. Unlike other films back then where the son was often portrayed rouge

Echoes of the Maestro – Song 52 – Anbe Nee enna

Sometime back when I wrote about a song from the Movie Pandiyan, I mentioned that it is one of the GOAT albums from Illayaraja during the 90s, and here’s another favorite song of mine which not only captures the stylish Rajnikanth but also the ever-gorgeous Kushboo.

Echoes of the Maestro – Song 51 – Oru Poo Vanathula

Kazhugu is one of those travel movies that was really more of a Horror than a thriller for a 10-year-old me, when I watched it back then on KTV or Sun TV, I don’t remember. I was so in awe of the RV-type vehicle with a shower

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