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.

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 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 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 39 – Vizhiyiley

Some time ago, I shared a song from the movie “Bhuvana Oru Kelvikuri”. Unlike earlier movies where Thalaivar (Rajnikanth) often played villain roles and actor Sivakumar played the lead, this movie was a complete turnaround. “Bhuvana Oru Kelvikuri” also received two Filmfare awards, one for Best Tamil Film and the other for Best Tamil Director.

Echoes of the Maestro – Song 27 – Oru Naal Unnodu Oru Naal

Oru Naal Unnodu oru Naal is the song from Uravaadum Nenjam directed by Devaraj – Mohan. This movie is based on the stage play Vilimbu by Shanmugapiriyan. He also wrote the screenplay for this movie.