Blogroll me? Sure…go ahead! In fact, I didn’t even know one needed to ask. Is there some kind of blog-etiquette that I don’t know of? :)

I am a fellow member of the ‘Raja-Rahman Admirers Club’, but do not agree with your line. I was just starting out on TFMpage when I found that the Rahman bashing there goes to great lengths. And the threats and unparlimentary words (i am neither a prude nor a saint btw) directed at posters by one another made me swear off TFMpage. I was a Raaja Yahoogroup member for sometime and have been a ARR Yahoo group member for sometime now. I don’t post much, but use it for info on ARR. Personal experience makes me contradict you. But ya, each of them rocks in their own way.. Can I blogroll you, btw?

Muthuvel: The ‘Raja-Rahman Admirers Club’ has a decent-sized membership, but the fanatics that live outside of it are so many in number, that its members can boast of being kind of exclusive. From personal experience, I have a bigger grudge against the Rahman fans cos’ most of them seem oblivious to what Ilaiyaraja has achieved. Their benchmark for comparison are the usual Raja songs that figure on a badly compiled HMV collection. Not many of them have sampled even 10% of his work (I’m still discovering some of his gems). Raja fans, on the other hand, are usually much more familiar with Rahman’s body of work. After all, it’s not really much when compared to Raja. I’m not as intolerant of such compare-contrast wars, as I’m of arguments without substance. To use a (possibly inane) geeky example, it’s like saying I.Explorer is surely better than Firefox, without having even installed it. You need to experience both worlds, in most of its entirety, to atleast make an educated opinion. I’m bad at explaining some of my rationale, but hopefully all this made some sense! :)

Both Raja & Rahman never cease to amaze me when it comes to how nearly flawless their orchestration/arrangement is. Most of the time atleast. It’s all about the music for me, and that’s what makes a great composer stand out from the rest. Many Indian composers can stake claim to coming up with the best tunes ever, but few can boast of complete songs, where every chord was carefully placed, every instrument or sound that accompanied the tune was perfect. In my opinion, Rahman & Raja are complete composers and exist by themselves in a parallel universe. So yeah, some of my Rahman favorites would be songs that held me in awe just because of an amazing interlude or his seamless use of varied sounds. I’m not good at making lists, so I’ll rattle off some songs that come to mind.

* Veerapaandi Kottaiyile - The interludes in this song are mind-boggling, as he layers sound upon sound until they finally erupt in perfect harmony. In fact, Thiruda Thiruda is probably my favorite Rahman album.
* Pachchai Nirame: Maybe the only Hariharan song where I didn’t really give a damn about his singing. This song is just about the music.
* Aathangara Marame - I never realized the guitar & ghatam could make a rustic song sound so stylish. The guitar in all its different avatars in this song, strumming/lead/sliding, makes listening to it such a pleasure. Of course, I’ve listened to other Rahman songs just for his wonderful use of acoustic guitars. Kannalanae & Khamosh Raat (Takshak) come to mind.
* Thirakaadha KaatuKulle: Wonderful composition that sadly never got the recognition it so deserved. Overall exquisite.
* Kaadhalikkum Pennin Kaigal - I’m yet to tire of this song. A simple 1-2 beat and that catchy catchy synth bass complimented by brief, but emphatically cool thavil breaks. Uber-cool song.
* Nenjam Ellaam Kaadhal: Just that unique rhythm will have me hooked to this song for a long time. Inspite of Adnan Sami.
* Dil Se Re - I still haven’t quite figured out what it is about this song that thrills me everytime I listen to it. Maybe that’s why they just call some songs - haunting!
* Thanga Thaamarai Magale - Rahman has always been good with using the bass. But this was the first song that really made me sit up & take notice. It’s a simple, recurring piece really, but the way it compliments that funky beat, just makes it awesome. This is one of those Rahman songs that requires listening on a nice music system. And need I even mention how cool SPB sang this song.
* Azhagaana Raakshasiye: My second favorite Reethi Gowlai song after ‘Thalaiyai Kuniyum Thaamaraiye’. SPB singing ‘Muttaasu’ & ‘Pattaasu’ like only he can.
* Yeh Rishtha (Meenaxi): The transition from the mellow charanam with the sound of flowing water back to the pallavi with that infectious beat is a treat to listen everytime.
* Vaan Nila (Kaadhal Virus): Another song which blew me away with the music. Amazing!
* Chale Chalo (Lagaan): My favorite song in that movie. Pullarikka vekkum paadal. The part in the saranam where the girls start singing, repeated by the male voice which brings in that subtle tabla…sheer genius. And the way that second interlude ends with them violins and the clapping rhythm. Awesome.

I like almost all Rahman classical/semi-classical compositions, but the following efforts are special.
* Kannaamboochi Yennada
* Sonnaalum Kaetpadhillai
* En Uyir Thozhiye (Kangalal Kaidhu Sei)
* and of course, Ennavale & Narumugaiye

These are just some of his songs that came to mind. Like I said, this list could change a week from now. Plus, I’m tired from all the typing. :) Hope you atleast read half of what I wrote.

I’ll talk about Roja another day.