Exploring the Iconic Collaboration of Mani Ratnam and A.R. Rahman
The Musical Journey of Mani Ratnam and Ilaiyaraja
It's unfortunate that Mani Ratnam and Ilaiyaraja ceased their collaboration. Both artists, born just a day apart—Mani on June 2 and Ilaiyaraja on June 3—shared a unique bond in crafting music that seamlessly integrates with storytelling. The exquisite songs Ilaiyaraja composed for Mani in films like Mouna Ragam, Nakshatram, Geethanjali, and Anjali are nothing short of masterpieces.
These films marked significant milestones in Mani's career, and he acknowledged that their success would not have been possible without Ilaiyaraja's musical genius.
However, with the release of Roja, Mani introduced a new musical partner, A.R. Rahman, and never looked back. Since then, Rahman has been the driving force behind Mani's musical endeavors.
Transitioning from Ilaiyaraja to A.R. Rahman
Reflecting on his shift from Ilaiyaraja to Rahman, Mani once remarked, "I appreciate your perspective. My work with Ilaiyaraja is incomparable to what Rahman brings to my later films. They represent two distinct musical realms, much like the contributions of Sachin Dev Burman and Rahul Dev Burman to cinema."
A.R. Rahman shared with a media outlet, "Our collaboration began with Roja. What I admire about Mani is his refusal to repeat musical themes. Although terrorism was a recurring theme in Roja, Dil Se, and Kannathil Muthamittal, he has since ventured into films with broader appeal like Saathiya and Guru. Together, we continuously seek new creative avenues."
Celebrating the MR-ARR Collaboration
- Roja jaan-e-mann (Roja): This film marked Mani Ratnam's debut in Hindi cinema, featuring A.R. Rahman's first Hindi soundtrack, which made a significant impact. Time magazine recognized Roja as one of the top ten soundtracks ever. The title track features duets by S.P. Balasubramaniam and Hariharan, with Sujata Mohan providing female vocals. Rahman noted that the music in Alai Pathai was less concentrated than in Roja or Bombay, as it was created on short notice.
- Chotisi Asha (Roja): Rahman recalls how Ratnam sought a song that captured the innocence of youth, and they succeeded beautifully.
- Tu hi re (Bombay): This enchanting love ballad, performed by Hariharan and Kavita Krishnamurthy, is one of Hariharan's proudest moments, showcasing the magic of working with Mani and Rahman.
- Jiya jale (Dil Se): Lata Mangeshkar's first collaboration with Rahman was recorded in just forty minutes, highlighting the efficiency of their creative process.
- Chaiyyan chaiyyan (Dil Se): This iconic track faced some lyrical objections, but it remains a favorite among fans, showcasing the careful thought behind its creation.
- Bhang (Guru): Featuring Abhishek Bachchan, this lively number drew comparisons to Amitabh Bachchan's classic songs, with Rahman praising the collaboration with Bappi Lahiri.
- Fanaa (Yuva): This collaboration was less successful, as Rahman felt his music was underutilized in the film's background.
- Lajjo: Although this project never materialized, Rahman expressed excitement about the potential collaboration with Aamir Khan, emphasizing the artistic growth it could bring.