No Comparision!!!

Ilaiyaraja is one of the most famous Indian music composers of our times.
Our's and the previous generation grew up listening to his songs. This is true specially for people from the south.

Use of violin, guitar and drums is very prominent in his music. Compare this to ARR's style who uses technology a lot. Both of them complement each other well. To me, listening to Raja and ARR's contrasting styles gives a feeling of having listened to best of Hindustani, Carnatic, Classical, folk and western!

It is always good to listen to music that reflects your mood. Romantic, depressed, ecstatic etc...

I share my knowledge on music of these legends. I list four songs that I feel best reflect the specific mood . It is Raja's songs first and then ARR's. Here we go!

Ecstatic

All of us have experienced this. I sometimes feel ecstatic to the point where I get goosebumps !!! So, though listening to songs itself might not necessarily make you ecstatic, try listening when you have the feeling. You will not regret.

Background score for Johnny.

Starts slow then picks tempo. Mix of folk, classical. And the love theme from 2:00 to 3:13 is one of his all time bests.

Ecstatic Raja

Bonus:

oh butterfly from Meera

Language doesn't matter. A true music lover listens to good music of all genres and languages. This is a sample of Raja's genius.

Why I choose Johnny BGM over this: It was a close call. Instrumental music is a better judge of the composer's genius since there is no voice or lyrics to bias our judgement.

Ecstatic Raja bonus

Vellai pookal from kannathil mutham ittal

When you are feeling too good, the slower the music, the better. What other way to take in the feeling than by listening to this song.

Ecstatic ARR

The video is from his version for the water campaign. The movie version can be had at movie version

Bonus

Khalbhali

This is one of ARR's all time bests. Got the whole nation swinging to his tunes.
Though he was famous in North India even before this song, with songs like Chaiya Chaiya from Dil Se, Rang De established him as a national hero.

Ecstatic ARR bonus

Depressed

We hate to be! Can't help it sometimes...Music helps you get out faster than even
your best bud. I believe listening to a sad song when you are sad, brings it out of you. Some of us may feel otherwise and would like to listen to happy songs. Well, each person is different.

Rasaathi Unna from Vaidhegi kaathirundhaal

Depressed Raja (Raja's prescription for depression sounds better?

Bonus: Unna nenachen from Aboorva sagodharargal

If Raasathi Unna had not been composed, this is the one.
Don't miss the video. Kamal Hassan and Ilaiayaraja combo!

Depressed Raja bonus

Kaadhal Rojave from Roja

This song complements Raasathi Unna as songs for souls missing their dear ones.
Rahman's first commercial movie music composition. A legend enters the Indian music scene!

Depressed ARR

Bonus

Second song from RDB...Lukka Chuppi
Heart melting score...

Depressed ARR bonus

Romantic

Indian movies are full of Romantic songs. Every movie at least has one song in this category. Listen to the below songs, Cupid will not regret!

Valayosai from Sathya

Awesome song! Kamal-Amala pair make the song even better.
The movie wasn't a big hit, but it was in theaters for a few days, I think it was mainly for this song!

Romantic Raja

Bonus:

Khajuraho from Oru Naal Oru Kanavu

Again, this movie was'nt a big hit, but Raja's music was extraordinary. There is another awesome song in this movie: Kaatril varum...I believe this album is one of his best post-2000. And yeah, you can't take credit away from Shreya Goshal for rendering female voice and making this song a treat to listen to.

Romantic Raja bonus

Tanha Tanha from Rangeela

This is one song that will get you in a romantic mood even when you are down.
One of ARR's all time bests. Scantily clad Urmila and the beach side add more color to the song.

Romantic ARR

Bonus:

Ennavale Adi Ennavale from Kaadhalan

A very romantic song rendered beautifully in UnniKrishnan's amazing voice.
Listened to this song probably a 100 times, still doesn't bore me. Nagma looks Hot.

Romantic ARR bonus

Spiritual:

Its good to be sometimes. Reflecting on the meaning of life and events is something that adds value to life. All of us have thought about this at some point in our lives.

A good music composer is one who can take the listener's mood for a pleasant ride and know where it leads. These are two very good music composers we talk about today!

janani janani from Thai mookambigai

Amazing song and the best spiritual music composed by Ilaiyaraja. This from a man who himself is very spiritual and religious.

Spiritual Raja

Bonus:

Devanin Kovil from Aruvudai Naal

I heard this song only recently, but liked it a lot.
Pretty sure many people have not yet listened to this song. Do
try, worth the time!

Spiritual Raja bonus

Khwaja mere khwajaa from Jodha akbar

Awesome song with soulful Sufi music rendered by ARR's divine voice. The toughest question would be to pick one between Janani Janani and this song. I am out!

Spiritual ARR

Bonus:

O Paalanhaare from Lagaan

Another amazing song composed by ARR. Very Slow and soulful. Sung by Lata Mangeshkar & Udit Narayan.

Spiritual ARR bonus

Vande Matharam is not here coz am not sure if it can be classified as 'spiritual'. Patriotic song, yes, number one!

Inspired:

There are these times when we feel inspired to do something that we feel is pretty challenging, but still needs to be done. Confidence that we can and will do it no matter what is very important. And we can do with a helping hand or a nice song. Here we go:

Ram ram from Hey Ram

This is one song that speaks directly to me. When am faced with tough situations, this is one of the songs I listen to. Love Shruthi hassan's voice: fresh and energetic.

Inspired Raja

Bonus:

vetri Nichayam from Annamalai

Used to listen to this song (in most cases ended up watching the full movie) before exams. Very inspiring and motivating.

Inspired Raja bonus

Jana Gana mana from Ayudha ezhuthu

Awesome song from awesome manirathnam movie. Surya's subtle acting adds color to the song. Rendered in Karthik's amazing voice.

Inspired ARR

Bonus:

Vetri kodu kattu from padaiyappa

Fast-paced song. Very motivating.

Inspired ARR bonus

Sound quality is not very good hear, but I could barely hear the song in other youtube links. That why am posting this.


Miscellaneous

There are these super cool songs that do not fall in any of the above categories or just missed out. The list wouldn't be complete if I left these out.

Vaa vennila from Mella thirndha kadhavu

Amazing song. if there was an actor whose career would have died without Raja,
its Mohan. Amala looks super pretty.
This song was definitely the one for Romantic category, but both MSV and Raja composed music for this. had to leave this out from the main list.

Miscellaneous Raja

Bonus

Nee oru kaadhal sangeetham from nayagan

Miscellaneous Raja bonus

One of my all time favorites. Composed during Raja's best years when no other composer dared to compete atleast in the south.

One of Kamal hassan's best movies.

Tu Hi to meri dosth from Yuvraaj

ARR is one of the big reasons I listen to Hindi film music. I do not regret with songs like these.

Miscellaneous ARR

Bonus

Narumugaiye from Iruvar

Super cool song from Mani rathnam's Iruvar. Excellent picturization, male (Unnikrishnan) and Female (jayashree) voices.

Miscellaneous ARR bonus