Happy Birthday SA Rajkumar: 20 nostalgic beauties that make you time-travel back to the glorious 90s
The musician, who has composed for more than 100 films in all four South Indian languages, has come to be synonymous with the nineties, and all the memories it carries.
As the composer celebrates his 55th birthday, we look back at some of his best compositions.
Paattu Onnu Naan (Pudhu Vasantham) This lovely melody from Vikraman's debut film, set in the Sivaranjani raga, about 4 friends who aim to achieve big in life, was perhaps Rajkumar's breakout song.
Anantham Anantham (Poove Unakaaga) The anthem of unrequited love for the early 90s kids, this beauty takes you back on the time-machine to a time when Vijay was at natural best - sans the star baggage
Rosapu chinna Rosapu (Suryavamsam) The way Hariharan goes 'Mazhai Penja Daane Manvaasam, Unnai Nenachaale Poo Vaasamdaan' in the 1st charanam of this celebration of love has to be heard to be believed
Nandri solla unakku (Marumalarchi) A mellifluous song with lyrics by Vaali, which defines the 90s and Mammotty's stint in Tamil cinema in equal measure.
Selaila veedu kattava (Aval Varuvala): Who can forget a spunky Ajith shaking legs with a sensual Simran in this charming song. 'Mookkuthiyin minnal oru deepam yetri vaithu poga..' Now, that's deep! :)
Yedho oru pattu (Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen) A virtual time-machine in its own right, this haunting beauty instantly swaps your world to a time when music was simple and orchestration reigned supreme.
Siva Siva Shankara (Suyamvaram) A relatively unknown eccentric track that has Prabhudeva and Roja acing the dance floor. The sarcastic humour, which spills all over, is the icing on the cake.
IruvadhuKodi (Thulladha Manamum Thullum) Some songs connect to you because of the memories they evoke than what they are, as individual set pieces. Like this classic, made timeless by Hariharan.
Nee Varuvai Ena (Nee Varuvai Ena) This opening song, which has Parthiban voicing out his dreams in typical 90s style, is taken notches higher by SPB's magical rendition. An instant stress-buster!
Engal Veetil Ella Naalum (Vaanathai Pola) This quintessential Vikraman-celebration-of-melodrama is made possible by Rajkumar's simple yet effective melody, which oozes nostalgia in every frame.
Ennenamo Matram Enakkul (Suthanthiram) Another comparatively lesser-known song that has the first appearance of digital music in Rajkumar's compositions. A true-blue earworm!
Pallangkuzhiyin Vattam Parthen (Anandham) A heartfelt tribute to small-town romance and the then-omnipresent 1-rupee coin, this song singlehandedly made Sneha the dream-girl of many a moratu-single.
Kannukulle Unnai Vaithen Kannamma (Pennin Manathai Thottu) A heartfelt ode to love, this endearing track connects to you at a subconscious level 'Nee anbai paarkum parvaiyilae Yen jeevan vaazhuthadi!'
Enakoru Snegidhi (Priyamanavale): The delightful tune, the charming beats, and the way Simran and Vijay ace them with their adorable chemistry and oodles of elegance, makes this song one for the ages.
Pirivondrai Santhithen (Piriyadha Varam Vendum): Another unpretentious, functional melody that works brilliantly as a nostalgic memories-raker., partly because of Hariharan's magic.
Mazhaiye (Punnagai Desam): A spunky number, which appears to have been specially composed for Sneha, Mazhaiye Mazhaiye is unassuming good music, done right.
Oru Thadavai Sollvaya (Vaseegara): A racy party song in SA Rajkumar style. Now, that's something you will pay to hear, right? Chinmayi, at her euphonious best, makes the song her own.
Maankuttiye (Priyamaana Thozhi): A blissful composition, which takes some delightful detours to accommodate for Jyotika's antics, Maankuttiye has Rajkumar written all over.
Nan Salt Kotta (Pennin Manathai Thottu): The real 'Thara Local' kuthu that happened when Anirudh was a 10-year-old, worthy of a Prabhu Dheva vs Raju Sundaram show-off.
Innisai Paadi Varum (Thulladha Manamum Thullum): Arguably, the best of SA Rajkumar, this enchanting melody is sure to bring with it wistful memories of an unassuming and delightful Vijay.
