Medley of Bharathiraaja-Ilaiyaraaja Combo

Bharathiraaja has helmed many a movie in various genres but one of the single most hallmark features of most of his films happens to be the music. The diversity, versatility and creativity that stems from the compositions of his cinema are simply a masterstroke of magnitude and magnificence.

Tamil Cinema has seen very many Director - Composer Duos team up to produce scintillating soundtracks in plenitude and one of the most esteemed pairing of excellence happens to be the combination of childhood friends Bharathiraaja and Ilaiyaraaja. They both started their careers in parallel and the movie cum music created by the duo in tandem from the late 70s to the mid 80s especially stands testimony to unquestionable brilliance.

Though Ilaiyaraaja has delivered plenty of spectacular compositions for many directors, the one's created for Bharatiraaja's can easily be considered to be top of the heap both in quantity and quality as well as even the divergence in genres. At one end of the spectrum you would see a classic folk tail piece and at the other end a whirlwind fast paced duet and in between interwoven with songs having a vintage western classical stamp as well as devotional golden carnatic sound scape.

As a small token of gratitude to the master craftsman, I attempted playing couple of lines of some of my favourite numbers from this awesome two some partnership which has produced such sterling classics from the times gone by. It was a sudden impromptu attempt that germinated as I was trying to recall some of the amazing tunes from the director's cut.

The songs from the movies include:

1) 16 Vayathinile - Senthoora Poove

2) Kizhakke Pogum Raiyil - Poovarasampoo

3) Sigappu Rojakkal - Indha Minminikku

4) Niram Maratha Pookal - Mudhal Mudhalaga

5) Nizhalgal - Madai Thirandhu

6) Alaigal Oyvathillai - Kadhal Oviyam

7) Tik Tik Tik - Idhu Oru Nila Kaalam

8) Kadhal Oviyam - Sangeetha Jadhi Mullai

9) Mann Vasanai - Pothi Vacha

10) Mudhal Mariyadhai - Rasave Unnai Nambi

Apart from these 10 movies, their association has also seen them working on few other films such as Puthiya Vaarpugal, Vaalibame Vaa Vaa, Puthumai Penn, Oru Kaidhiyin Dairy, Kadalora Kavithaigal, En Uyir Thozhan, Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu and Nadodi Thendral.

This is just a micro mini sample of 10 songs from their alliance. One would easily be able to dig out over a three digit number of compositions from their allegiance that would truly stand the test of time.