With inputs from Deepika Ramesh
Rajinikanth’s films are an eternal source of solace for his fans. For over two decades, the star has retained the trademark features his public loves – that unfailing swagger (or swag, as they call it now), those punch dialogues, and an SP Balasubrahmanyam (SPB) song. In fact, SPB has been an integral part of many Rajinikanth films, and together, the duo have created magic on screen.
His intro songs, though preachy, have always been memorable. These are tracks that drive Monday blues away, help us endure the 20 long minutes on the treadmill, and come in handy when posting a philosophical Facebook status. Above all, these songs are inspirational.
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And, of course, the all-important fact that the film’s music is by Santhosh Narayanan. Not just the cool new kid on the block, but also an artist whose musical tastes lean far, far away from previous Rajini film composers, the likes of AR Rahman and Deva.
True to form, Santhosh Narayanan has come up with a music album like no other. There’s rap, some blues, and a beautiful ode to love that blossoms with age.
The most startling change? There’s no SPB here, with his larger-than-life vocals. There’s only Arunraja Kamaraj, Ananthu, and Santhosh Narayanan himself – infusing these songs with the kind of energy that only people who grew up idolising Rajini could have.
SPB was always the friend that sang for Rajini. These men, they are fans. And therein lies the difference.
As Kabali‘s songs continue their meteoric rise to the top of every chart, we look back, and indulge in nostalgia with these fine songs that SPB rendered for Rajinikanth.
The old may have given way to the new, but they had their moments.
1. Naan Autokaaran, Baasha – The song that made Rajinikanth a hit with auto drivers everywhere and firmly established him as a ‘man of the people’. SPB gives a rousing rendition of Vairamuthu’s lyrics, which includes gems like :
‘Achuku Enna Achukuthaan Gumuku Ena Gumukuthaan’
2. Oruvan Oruvan Mudhalali, Muthu – The grand orchestration in the beginning, merged with SP Balasubrahmanyam’s voice is the sort that must, must come with a goosebumps warning. The song topped private channels’ weekly charts for more than a year and isn’t exactly driver friendly. It’s hard to hold onto the steering wheel, when the song compels you to break into an impromptu dance.
3. Athanda Ithanda, Arunachalam – The wait to see Rajinikanth is almost unbearable in this one. As percussion music reaches a crescendo, we see God, followed by those magnetic eyes; then and only then does he deign to fully appear. All in all, worth the wait, if only to see Rajini dance so energetically.
4. En Peru Padayappa, Padayappa – He pulls a snake out of a paambu puthu, gives it a kiss.
When Ramya Krishnan asks, “Hey, who are you, man?”
He introduces himself by singing.
Because he is Rajinikanth.
Dot.
5. Balleilakka, Sivaji – We always thought Rajini songs were grand on their own. And then director Shankar taught us that it could be grander.
As background dancers teem over a picturesque Tamil village, we see our floppy haired Rajini roaring like the tiger that the song says he is. A bit much? Never.
Nayanthara extols his virtues. SPB sings the way he was born to. And our man walks across fields like he owns it.
Another thing he owns: our hearts.
