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 65 – Thaanandhana Kummi kotti

Athisaya Piravi is one of those rare fantasy films that came in Tamil during those days and it is a remake of a Telugu film Yamudiki Mogudu which had Chiranjeevi helming the lead role. Telugu Directors are always good with adding fantasy elements into their stories while S.P. Muthraman adapted to tamil brilliantly.

Echoes of the Maestro – Song 61 – Naarkalikku Sanda podum

An interesting way to Introduce Rajni in the film. Unlike today, where we see their legs, head, shoulder, Mustache, and finally the face, but back then it wasn’t the case and I believe this trend started with Suresh Krishna’s Baasha. Naarkalikku Sanda podum is the political song that teases

Echoes of the Maestro – Song 59 – Maamanukku Mylaporeu thaan

Maamanukku Mylaporu thaan is a fun song and through this song, I got to know some of the areas in Chennai like Mylapore, Tambaram, Avadi, Mannadi, etc., With Malaysia Vasudevan’s mimicry voices this got even more enjoyable.

Echoes of the Maestro – Song 58 – Vaangada Vaanga

Vaangada Vaanga is yet another typical Rajni Intro song with all the elements to it, from giving a message to how good a man he is and whatnot. Maaveeran (1986) is an official remake of the Hindi film Mard and also has two distinct specialties. This is the first film to record all the six-song tracks using the stereophonic sound and the first Tamil film which was completely shot in the 70mm Film format.

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 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 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 38 – Aasai Nooru vagai

Talking about the Rajni – Illayaraja combo and not talking about Aasai Nooru Vagai is a grave injustice to both. For my Generation, that is 90’s kids Kutty bhai Yuvan Shankar Raaja was the one who introduced this song through his remix in the “Kurumbu” movie.