Echoes of the Maestro – Song 75 – Nanna Neenu Gellalare

Nee Nanna Gellalare is the only film of Dr. Rajkumar that had music composed by Ilaiyaraaja. Despite some of the songs becoming popular, the film was not successful and had only a 63-day theatrical run. I was surprised to find out that Dr. Rajkumar sang all the songs in this film and he really sounded good. High-time I watch his movies to know him better.

Echoes of the Maestro – Song 74 – Pongi Porale Andalenno

Kotha Jeevithalu is the Telugu remake of Puthiya Vaarpugal which was first produced by Bharathiraja and Bagyaraj made his debut as a Lead actor. Kotha Jeevithalu also marks Bharathiraja’s Telugu debut along with Suhasini’s as well.

Echoes of the Maestro – Song 73 – Thangaliyalli Naanu Teli Bande

Janma Janmada Anubandha is the second directional of Legendary Shankar Nag and also the second direct Kananda Film for Illayaraja. Eventhough, the song starts in an eerie tone it moves on to a different scale altogether. S. Janaki Amma brings a touch of eeriness and also the longing in her voice through this song. It is set in Gourimanohari Raaga.

Echoes of the Maestro – Song 72 – Maan kidaave Nin Nenchum

Dooram Arike is the second direct Malayalam composition of Raaja and he used familiar voices of Malayalam and Tamil for all the songs. Maan kidaave Nin Nenchum even though the setup of the song seems grim the music doesn’t and is kinda soul stirring if you ask me. Do give it a listen 🙂

Echoes of the Maestro – Song 71 – Chinna Thaayaval

Chinna Thaayaval is one of the iconic and most popular Amma Song in Tamil Cinema and it is set in Charukesi raga which is predominantly used for devotion. Whoever listened to this song might feel devotional, sad, or a mix of both. It’s such a haunting song that evokes a lot of emotion.

Echoes of the Maestro – Song 70 – Amma Endrazhaikaadha

If most of Tamil Cinema and people like me who grew up listening to this song put our Mother on a pedestal this song singlehandedly did that thing. The most popular Mother Sentiment song ever made in the History of Cinema is this and despite all these years this song is still popular and widely celebrated and no one can claim it otherwise.

Echoes of the Maestro – Song 69 – Amma Amma

Amma Amma is the third song being featured in this series from Uzhaipaali this song appears at a very interesting point in the film and there are two versions of this song one by SPB and the female version by Sunanda. Such a haunting song in the way it was sung.

Echoes of the Maestro – Song 68 – Putham pudhu Poo poothadho

Thalapathi is one of the iconic films not only in Thalaivar Rajni’s career but also to Mani Ratnam and also to Tamil cinema. Whenever this film comes up most times Chinna Thaayaval will be the first song that’ll flash into our heads to that iconic break-up scene and the tune will flash into our eyes or the ever-soothing Yamunai Aatrile or Kaatukuyilu Manasukkula will be our favorites, however,

Echoes of the Maestro – Song 67 – Unakkum Enakkum

Unakkum Enakkum was trending on Instagram last year and I thought it must be some old Illayaraja song but never in my wildest dreams I thought this song was from Sri Raghavendra movie. This song was reused by the American band Black Eyed Peas’s bonus track “The Elepmunk Theme” and this version was the one that got popular on Instagram

Echoes of the Maestro – Song 66 – Sandhaikku vandha Kili

Sandhaikku Vandha Kili is your agmark Illayaraja Themmangu song and the orchestration takes you right to the village festival. Even the thavil notes don’t change much throughout the song only in the second charanam when the song switches to Kummi it slightly takes a turn but comes back to the same note.