Happy Birthday D Imman: 20 memorable songs of the talented musician
English conductor Leopold Stokowski famously said, "A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence." Composer D Imman is someone who has been a perfect example for that saying and has been letting his works speak.
On his birthday, we look at 20 of the best songs in his career, which has spanned almost 20 years.
Mattu Mattu - Thamizhan: It's not every day you get to make your debut with a Vijay film. This song, a figment of the lead pair's imagination added colour to the film and also featured Imman's vocals
Azhagiya Asura - Whistle A sensual song from the female's perspective in a slasher flick! Thanks to Thamarai's lines, Anita Udeep's vocals and Imman's music, this one became an anthem of sorts.
Yedho Ninaikiren - Thalai Nagaram Imman's music was one of the strongest pillars of director Sundar C's first outing as the lead. This track was a soothing breath of fresh air in a violent film.
Vizhigalil Vizhigalil - Thiruvilayadal Arambam It's not often music directors deliver an entire album that would go on to become a chartbusters. This melodious number was the icing on the cake.
Odi Odi Vilayadu - Maasilamani: Imman had a lot riding here, as Vijay Antony had just delivered a riot in Naaku Mukka. The musician rose to the occasion with this foot-tapping track.
Mynaa Mynaa - Mynaa: The musician is now synonymous with rural scripts and Mynaa can be called as the starting point. This track's earthiness and innocence played a big role in defining the leads.
Ooraana Oorukkulla - Manam Kothi Paravai Back in the days when Sivakarthikeyan was just a rising actor, this lively number did its share of making the anchor-turned-actor a household name.
Ayayayoo Aananthamey - Kumki: Post Mynaa's success, all eyes were on the Prabhu Solomon-Imman combo and the music director proved his versatility in style. This one just nails the ecstasy of love.
Oodha Colour Ribbon - VVS: The fun feel of the film spilled over into this album of Imman and even this love track was infused with the jovial elements that define the film.
Kandaangi Kandaangi - Jilla: Amidst the quintessential hero introduction song, party song, theme song and a special number, Imman shows his prowess over the romance tracks with this beauty.
Koodamela Koodavechi - Rummy: If it was Ooraana Oorukkulla for SiK, Imman's share of credit for making another actor into a household name was this soothing melody for Vijay Sethupathi.
Ovvundraai Thirudugiraai - Jeeva Amidst composers who prefer orchestras, Imman took the road less taken with Ovvundraai Thirudugiraai from Jeeva where he resorted to minimalistic music.
Un Mele Oru Kannu - Rajini Murugan: A riotous romantic number that has Sivakarthikeyan and Keerthy Suresh in top form.
Thoovaanam - Romeo Juliet Even in urban subjects, Imman proves time and time again that love songs are his forte. The breezy melody Thoovaanamwas stands as a testimonial for his endeavours.
Kurumba - Tik Tik Tik The irony was strong with Imman's 100th film, a film about space -- somewhere where sound waves can't exist. It featured this heartwarming track that celebrated fatherly love.
Sandakkaari - Kadaikutty Singam: Imman returned to the roots with this rural love song. With the use of regional instruments, the composer stuck to the basics for this ear-please.
Onnavitta Yaarum Yenakilla - Seema Raja: Imman resorted once again to minimalistic music for this mellifluous track that won the hearts of many.
Kannaana Kanney - Viswasam: Despite kickstarting his career with a Vijay starrer, it took Imman 100+ films to work with Ajith. This Sid Sriram song defined what the film was in just 5 mins.
Aalankuruvigalaa - Bakrid: One of the most underrated films of last year was the Vikranth starrer Bakrid. The film, which spoke about love for animals, made its motive clear with this piece of magic.
Gaandakannazhagi - NMV: Amidst the funky Yenga Annan and the underrated Jigiri Dosthu, we have the successful Gaandakannazhagi. The 'gummurutuppuru' bit from the song became a viral sensation.