Realities Around Us
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.
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.
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!
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
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
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
While the Uzhaipaali album is itself wholesome and all the songs from this album are my absolute favorites, this song is special, especially for the absolute dance value this song has. Eventhough, though this song can be termed the cabret type of song the sheer difference in Music Illayaraja shows while a new song lead lady shows up is brilliant.
Peigala Nambadhey is a unique song, especially the Preludes, and I’ll come back to that later. The plot of this story was inspired by a real-life incident involving Kamal Hassan, where his domestic help attempted to kidnap his daughters for ransom. In an interview, he mentioned that most of the movie deals with his fears. Watching this film as a child deeply affected me and changed the way I see the world. Even now, I cry when I watch the scene where Kamal tries to rescue his daughter from a brothel and pleads with everyone to leave them alone.
I’ve been rewatching some of the old Captain Vijayakanth movies for my Podcast and man what a ride. It’s like a Tamil saying “Oru Kallula Rendu Maanga” which allows me to revisit some of my childhood favorites and use them for the Newsletter and my Podcast.
Despite being an atheist and not particularly spiritual, this song evokes emotions that are hard to describe. I don’t know if it’s the music, the lyrics, or Illayaraja’s voice that does it. I stumbled upon this song randomly a decade ago, and it has been one of my favorites since then
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Tagged Echoes of the Maestro, Illayaraja Tamil Songs, Rajnikant Songs, SPB Songs, Vaali Songs