On his birthday, we give you forty of his unforgettable songs. Read on..

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Happy Birthday Yuvan: 40 memorable songs that define the U1 phenomenon

From the enthusiastic talented kid in Poovellam Kettupar to the matured musician in Peranbu, Yuvan Shankar Raja has indeed come a long way.

Team CE

Updated:31st Aug, 2020 at 8:30 PM

Chudithar Aninthu (Poovellam Kettupaar) This flash of quirky youthful energy went on to become the lovers' anthem for a while. Yuvan had arrived. With a bang.

Kaadhal Website (Dheena) A naughty little track with funky lyrics that Yuvan literally makes his own. The first charanam which goes 'Acupuncture needle a Turkey chicken noodle a' is pure magic.

Dhevadaiyai Kanden (Kaadhal Kondein) This oxymoron of a track, which brilliantly nails the pain of love, while being peppy and breezy all the while, is signature Yuvan.

Mun Paniya (Nandha) This haunting melody from Yuvan - a proof of his unrivaled mastery over the 'moody-romance' segment - is sure to give some bittersweet memory-pangs.

7G Rainbow Colony Theme: How does it feel to walk through a rainbow? The instrumental theme with a rapturous combination of flute, piano and bell sounds gives you a near-equivalent experience.

Poi Solla Intha (April Maadathil) This atmospheric ode to the pain of a breakup, rendered soulfully by Yuvan, is nostalgic bliss.

En Anbe En Anbe (Mounam Pesiyadhe) This riotous melody on the exhilaration of first love is music that indeed speaks to the subconscious.

Vayadhu Vaa (Kaadhal Kondein) This uproar of sorts on sexual awakening is Yuvan's version of youthful angst.

Naatu Sarakku (Pudukottaiyilirundhu Saravanan) Dhanush's singing debut was Yuvan's response to his critics who dismissed him as a one-note composer. Thara Local at it's best, when Aniruth was 13.

Ninaithu Ninaithu (7G rainbow colony) They say that you can never fully express the pain of losing a loved one. But Yuvan here tries his best with a composition that speaks directly to the soul.

Kaadhal Valarthen (Manmadhan) This lovely departure from the usual pathos song template, sung with a lot of passion by Kay Kay, went viral at a time when social media was unheard of.

Aarariraro (Raam): How do you convey a mother's love through music. This rusty melody ruthlessly pulls at your heartstrings till you surrender to it, unconditionally.

Theepidika (Arindhum Ariyamalum) This new-age pub song, delivered with a lot of spunk by Anushka Manchanda, is a consequence of Yuvan's incessant experimentation.

Oru Naalil (Pudhupettai) This unbelievably profound song is something Tamil cinema can take pride on, merely for its existence. Yuvan takes us to a parallel musical universe with his signature voice.

Kaadhal Yenbathu (Oru Kalluriyin Kathai) The fact that this stage-performance style composition has aged so well over two decades is proof enough of its merit. A touching melody.

Merke Merke (Kanda Naal Mudhal) An adorable number that makes you yearn for the days when unadulterated romance was still alive in Tamil cinema.

Namma Kattula (Pattiyal) This song in Ilaiyaraaja's voice is a fitting celebration of the folk genre, made timeless by the background sample of the “Aaduludan Padalai” song,

Loosu Penney (Vallavan) Had this inventive, foot-tapping number released a few years later, it would have been the much-better 'Why this Kolaveri di' that the world deserved to hear!

Ayyayo (Paruthiveeran) This track made many an audiophile go crazy over Shreya Goshal’s honeyed voice. You have to hear her go 'Nee konna kuda kuthamilla' to understand what we're talking about.

Neruppu Vaayinil (Pudhupettai) Kamal’s throaty voice, combined with a blend of guitars, rousing percussions, synthesizers, strings and Thai instruments, make this one an instant classic.

Pogadhey (Deepavali) Another stirring melody that screams Yuvan in each beat, orchestration and the nasal singing style. Ruled the FMs for quite some months, back then.

Jalsa Pannungada Remix (Chennai 600028) The go-to party song in every reunion, ever. Can make you go dewy-eyed, despite the funky beats.

Pesugiren (Satham Podaathey) This heart-warming track, made immortal by Neha Bhasin, is the aural equivalent of a warm hug. Don't believe us? Just tune in, once.

Innum Or Iravu (Katradhu Tamizh) This super-tipsy song, sung by Yuvan in his signature somnolent style, combined with with the intense orchestration, brings a truly disturbing and eerie world alive.

Paravaiye engu irukkirai (Katradhu Tamizh) Yuvan unleashes his dad yet again onto the unsuspecting audience in this bewitching track. Ilaiyaraja, on his part, nails the pathos, with his vocals.

Kodaana Kodi (Saroja) This sensual number from Saroja is Yuvan's masterclass at a tipsy, dance number, replete with the beats that almost instinctively bring out the hip-thrust.

Venmegam Pennaaga (Yaaradi Nee Mohini) How do you love someone knowing there is no forever? Does the finality hurt or is the answer comforting? Yuvan answers with this beauty.

Where's the party tonight? (Silambattam) A amusing take on the quintessential party song made memorable in Karan Johar's Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. Simbu's lyrics is the icing on the cake.

Oru Kall Oru Kannadi (SMS) A catchy ballad in Yuvan's nasal and slightly hip-hop voice, made unforgettable by the epic piano notes, this one seizes your heart in no time.

Katrukulle (Sarvam) This beauty stands out for the creative use of sound effects that we normally associate with forests & streams. Everything about it is amazing- the strings, and the soft rhythms.

En Kadhal Solla (Paiyaa) Yuvan’s interesting experiments with rhythms reflects in this techno-melody, in this ode to unrequited love.

Idhu Varai (Goa) A soft romantic number with some stylish orchestration that seems to have a distinct ‘goanese’ feel.

Iragai Pole (Naan Mahaan Alla) This vintage Yuvan track is everything we have come to expect from him – trippy vocals, extremely catchy rhythms and ambient backgrounds that make it memorably catchy.

Oororam Puliyamaram (Paruthiveeran) This celebration of authentic rural sounds uses instruments like dholak, nadaswaram, thavil and urumee to epitomize the countryside folk riot.

Vaanam (Vaanam) Is a mistake forgiven when we repent for it or when the apology is accepted? What if both don't overlap? Yuvan tackles these existential questions brilliantly in 'Dheivam vaazhvadhu?'

Aanandha Yaazhai (Thanga Meenkal) Is affection ever unconditional? Can we put a price on love, ever? Yuvan's tribute to fatherly love is one for the ages.

Kambathu Ponnu (Sandakozhi 2) This chirpy, rural track is everything Keerthy needed to have a field day in the visuals. The tropical flavor in the song, coupled with the folk beats, make this a a riot

Sethu Pochu Manasu (Peranbu) Yuvan’s evocative melody and the simple, ghatam-based percussion help Madhu Iyer nail the desperate need for solace, when all hope is lost. A true-blue classic.

High On Love (PPK) Another haunting melody, which starts off with some enchanting strings, and moves into the techno genre, with Sid Sriram completely acing the mood. Almost an anthem for the youth.

Rowdy Baby (Maari 2) With this truly trippy tune, which seems to have composed just for shaking a leg or two, Yuvan hits it out of the park. Viral material, which deserves every bit of the accolades.