Tunes On Tuesday.

June 2nd is a very special day for me. First, It is my sister's birthday, my aunt's wedding anniversary and my god's birthday! By god I mean Isaignani Illaiyaraja. Since I could comprehend and appreciate music, this man has been my encyclopedia. The sheer range of his musical capacity baffles me. Having scored music for over 500 movies its very hard for me to pick up 10 songs to showcase his genius. I personally feel that Mani Ratnam and Illaiyaraja had the best combination, cinematically. More than Mani and Rehman. Since its also Mani Ratnam's birthday on June 2nd. I am doing a combined post on them. Instead of 10 songs. I've tried to pick 20 of my favorites.

• Mandram Vandha, Film: Mouna Ragam, Language: Tamil   (Reused by Raja in Cheeni Kum)
• O Priya Priya, Film: Geetanjali, Language: Telugu               (The Only Telugu Movie By Mani)
• Iravu Nilavu, Film: Anjali, Language: Tamil                         (Yuvan Shankar, Premji Amaren, Karthik Raja, Bhavatarani, Venkat Prabhu sang this song!)
• Ninnukori, Film: Agni Nakshatiram, Language: Tamil           (A classical raga turned into a commercial song. Kudos)
• Kattukuyilu, Film: Thalapathi, Language: Tamil                     (Mani + Raja's last collaboration)
• Pudhu Vellai Mazhai, Film: Roja, Language: Tamil                 (Mani + Rehman Pair up)
• Chandralekha, Film: Thiruda Thiruda, Language: Tamil         (The song's vocals amazed me as a kid!)
• Humma, Film: Bombay, Language: Tamil                             (Rehman sings,  RAP in Tamil films)
• Narumugaye, Film: Iruvar, Language: Tamil                       (Rahman mixes 2 ragas Naatai & Gambheera Naatai)
• Satrangi Re, Film: Dil Se, Language: Hindi                       (Sufism Influenced Song. Great Lyrics by Gulzar)
• MahaGanapatim, Film: Sindhu Bhairavi, Language: Tamil (Yesudas + Raja + Carnatic = Divine)
• Kanmani Ambodu, Film: Guna, Language: Tamil               (Sung by Mr. Haasan himself)
• Inji Idupazhaga, Film: Thevar Magan, Language: Tamil     (Re-used by Anu Malik in Virasat)
• Muthu Mani, Film: Chinna Gounder, Language: Tamil       (Swati Mutyamala in Telugu - Chinna Rayudu)
• Poovomaa, Film: Chinna Tambi, Language: Tamil       (Yenenno Andalu in Telugu - Chanti)
• Maate Mantramu, Film: Seetakoka Chilaka, Language: Telugu (Trust me on this just listen!)
• Kinnerasaani, Film: Sitaara, Language: Tamil                         (Vamsi + Raja  = Most Memorable songs in Telugu)
• Ekanthavela, Film: Anveshana, Language: Telugu                   (A question & Answer form with a very intresting Pallavi)
• Prema Ledani, Film: Abhinandana, Language: Telugu       (Classic Raja + Best Pathos song ever!)
• Asalem Gurthukuradu, Film: Anthapuram, Language: Telugu (Raja hums in this song! Awesome.)

What I've tried to do here is to pick the unique works of Raja and Mani Ratnam both together and individually. I know there are many more amazing songs that Raja has done; but these songs have something special in them in terms of composition. I wish Raja a very Happy Birthday and hope good blesses him with god health, wealth and happiness, so he can continue to give us the excellent melodies that we love.