On AR Rahman’s Birthday, 5 Songs By The Maestro That Celebrate Women And Their Emotions In All Their Beauty And Rawness

On AR Rahman’s Birthday, 5 Songs By The Maestro That Celebrate Women And Their Emotions In All Their Beauty And Rawness

Good music is food for the soul. There are some songs that just touch places within you that you never knew existed. And not all have the talent to make something so soulful, I mean, not everyone is AR Rahman, you know? The way this maestro understands the mood, the lyrics, the situation, etc., no one else does. I can blindly say that any song that he has composed is sure to be unique. And we have many many examples of his musical genius. In fact, some of my favourite songs from his discography are the ones that have been picturised, sung and about women. The way his songs portrays female expressions and bring alive their emotions is unlike anything else I’ve felt about other musicians’ works, and that’s what makes him stand out from the rest. So, on his birthday, here’s a list of 5 songs by this National Award, Academy Award, Emmy, Golden Globe, and BAFTA winner, that celebrate women in all their beauty and rawness.

AR Rahman is hands-down one of the greatest musicians that India has produced in a while. His understanding of music, lyrics, moods, etc. are so apt that hardly any of his songs may have not become a massive hit. But what I have noticed and loved about him is his ability to create music for women. AR Rahman understands that there are many facets to being a woman and his tunes do justice to all of them. 

AR Rahman Collaborations_Hauterfly

Also Read: #HauteSounds: 5 Foreign Collabs By AR Rahman That Are Everything!

I’ve loved his music for as long as I can remember. To me, his music is a safe space. Which is why on his birthday, I have curated a list of 5 songs by AR Rahman that celebrate everything a woman is in all her beauty and rawness.

Check it out:

1. Jiya Jale – Dil Se

This steamy song from Dil Se by AR Rahman is all about a woman expressing herself to her lover and how she feels with him. Sung by Lata Mangeshkar and M. G Sreekumar, this song is about the heat and the passion she experiences in her body that doesn’t let her sleep at night. In other words, it’s about a woman experiencing her sexual desire towards a man and she’s trying to make sense of it. As a woman, I can honestly say most of us have been through that stage and felt the same intensity. And let’s not forget just how beautiful Preity Zinta, Shah Rukh Khan and Manisha Koirala look here!

2. Konjam Nilavu – Thiruda Thiruda

This song is one of my favourite songs by AR Rahman. ‘Konjam Nilavu’ is a Tamil song from the movie Thiruda Thiruda and is sung by Annupamaa and Suresh Peters. What I love about the song is that it celebrates the boldness and fearlessness that lives inside a woman. This breakthrough number presented the fire inside a woman in the most perfect way possible.

3. Dil Hai Chota Sa – Roja

‘Dil Hai Chota Sa’ has my heart. In fact, you can often hear me humming it while I’m doing something that makes the child in me happy. And that’s what this song by AR Rahman is. The song that broke many records when it was released beautifully captures the hope, vibrancy, and energy of young women who have so many aspirations.

4. Patakha Guddi – Highway

This song is a perfect response to the times when patriarchy has got you all low and bothered (not in a good way). In his inimitable style, AR Rahman has created a score that is nothing short of magic. Through his music backed by vocals of Irshad Kamil and Nooran Sisters, the song truly celebrates the freedom of a woman in a spiritual and empowering manner. A state that most women fight day and night to achieve.

5. Kannalane –  Bombay

When Chitramma and AR Rahman come together, you know there is something great coming out of it. And ‘Kannalane’ from Bombay definitely doesn’t disappoint. The song is all about a woman owning up her feelings for her lover and hoping that the life she has dreamt of will come true. To say that the composition of this song is surreal, would be an understatement.

The maestro has created music that I know we’re going to remember forever. And there may be others who will come and create something even better (if that’s possible) but I know for a fact that the way he understands women and celebrates them, no one else will ever be able to. And that just adds to the singer’s greatness. 

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Ritu Sanghvi

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