Remembering the legend on his birthday - A.R.Rahman.

Though his contributions can’t be listed in a single day. Here’s five of my most favourite moments from him, the moments which I think worked largely because of the music. The moments, which has music at its soul.

Pure unadulterated lust

Movie: O Kaadhal Kanmani

Aadhi wants to leave Taara in her hostel as soon as possible, as he fears something might happen, due to the increasing sensuality between them. But Taara pushes him by asking what will happen. As Aadhi answers she pushes further, thus his answer gradually moves from a possibility of a hug to possibility of him getting pulled into her room. With every answer increasing desire, she finally pulls him into her room.

Until then the initial mild portion of ‘Naanea varugirean’ plays out in the background. As they finally get inside, the shot cuts to the mirror with a blurred refection of them and there it starts. The music elevates with the lyric ‘Chinnanchiru chinnanchiru ragasiyamea’ and the camera moves to a distorted clock. As time melts along with music.

Merging of parted(ing) souls

Movie: Kannathil muthamittal

Amutha,10, finally finds her real mother, Shyama, who turns out to be a rebel. Amudha asks her a series of questions, at last she asks why she left her and what did she do when she was born. For which Shyama replies that it’s her situation that forced her. She also tells Amudha that she touched her only once with her finger. Indra her adoptive mother suggests her that she can lift Amudha now. Shyama sits still, controlling her emotions. Tiruchelvan, Amudha’s adoptive father, Dr.Herold and Shyama’s brother stands beside them, without uttering any words, fighting back tears. A teary eyed Amudha looks at her mother longingly. Shyama slowly touches her face then pulls her to her bosom.

The music starts with a chorus at first followed by the orchestra. And the rain starts, water pouring, both, on the screen and on our face.

Coming out of the shell

Movie: Guru

Guru boards his luggage on the train, while his family enquires about his new adamant wife who wouldn’t go with him. He gets ready to get on the train, when he notices his wife. He moves to her but is tongue tied like her. As a result of their marriage that happened in a rush, they actually  didn’t have the opportunity to spend time together. The music flows in between them as no other language is available there. She finally breaks the silence by asking him not to go. Confused, he asks her why she said she didn’t want to go with him in the first place. She complains that he didn’t ask again. The train starts to move slowly and he gets on it. He asks her again that how will she go with him without any luggage and ticket. For which, she asks is it difficult for him to buy her some saris or to carry her in his lap. Guru thinks for a while and jumps out and asks her to come along.

The music elevates with the song, as she runs towards him getting blessing from their parents along the way. They sit next to each other without facing each other’s eyes but watch them when the other person looks away. The beautiful tension between them stays as the song ‘Ay Hairathe/Ye marpuru mangaiyea’ fills the scene.

Accidental Longing

Movie: Alaipaayuthey

Karthik and Shakthi, after their parents’ decision, decides to stay out of each other’s lives. Though hard, they learn to ignore their feelings for each other. Karthik has a niece whom he sometimes persuades to call Sakthi, to fool the shopkeeper who has the phone, as Sakhthi’s house doesn’t have one. He rewards the kid with money whenever she helps. The kid, to get money from him then, dials Sakthi without his knowledge. Unaware of the person on the other side, they both start talking at the same time. Shocked by the voice they both stop, tongue tied. A hundred emotions flow through their face as tears fill their eyes. And the soft melodious instrumental version of the song 'evano oruvan' plays softly in the background giving us 30 seconds of pure bliss.

Innocence lost

Movie: Iruvar

Tamizhchelvan pulls out Aanandhan in the middle of his lunch at Tamizh’s house. He brings him to the terrace. Aanandhan witnesses a large group of people, his fans, waiting for him outside the house. Everyone cheers seeing him. For him they are just fans, but for them, he is their leader. Aanandhan stands startled on seeing a crowd that big. Tamizh understands the opportunity of power the crowd offers and Anandhan’s hesitation. He moves to him holds his hand and raises it. The crowd goes mad as both of their leader’s hands raise.

The music which was a soft cry until then raises it beats. Tamizh explains the power of the crowd and the doors it could open for them. Anandhan accepts his new exciting fate and shows both hands to them and throws his scarf at the crowd. The crowd runs to catch it as the enthralling music continuous.