Entertainment

Happy birthday Yuvan Shankar Raja: 15 songs that prove why he is the most versatile composer ever

Music maestro Ilaiyaraja's youngest son Yuvan Shankar Raja began his musical career in 1996, at the age of 15, and today, he has carved a niche for himself as one of Tamil cinema's most sought-after composers. Every time we think this song is 'sooo Yuvan', he goes ahead and tries something completely radical! Versatility is YSR's forte, through his own admission: "I can do a Paruthiveeran, Chennai 600028, Billa and also a Paiyaa", he said in an interview. We compiled a list of 16 songs from his extensive repertoire where the singer and composer pushed the bar higher.
Music maestro Ilaiyaraja's youngest son Yuvan Shankar Raja began his musical career in 1996, at the age of 15, and today, he has carved a niche for himself as one of Tamil cinema's most sought-after composers. Every time we think this song is 'sooo Yuvan'
Music maestro Ilaiyaraja's youngest son Yuvan Shankar Raja began his musical career in 1996, at the age of 15, and today, he has carved a niche for himself as one of Tamil cinema's most sought-after composers. Every time we think this song is 'sooo Yuvan'
Online Desk
Updated on: 
2 min read
Evan Di Unna Pethan from Vaanam: Yuvan's techno beats and the club mix (not to mention Simbu's catchy-problematic lyrics) made this a party favourite in an instant. The song has a truly international feel to it. It broke new ground as a single since it's considered to be one of the first songs from a film's album to be out ahead of the film's release.
Evan Di Unna Pethan from Vaanam: Yuvan's techno beats and the club mix (not to mention Simbu's catchy-problematic lyrics) made this a party favourite in an instant. The song has a truly international feel to it. It broke new ground as a single since it's considered to be one of the first songs from a film's album to be out ahead of the film's release.
Yezhezhu Thalaimuraikkum from Goa: The song is considered as a tribute to Pannaipuram town in Theni district, where Ilaiyaraja hails from. This is a track that any generation can relate to - though simple and rustic in sound, the nostalgia it induces is memorable. It speaks of blood ties and moving away from the small town to the big city for work. With Gangai Amaren penning the lyrics, and Karthik Raja, Venkat Prabhu, Bhavatharini, Premji Amaran & Yuvan Shankar Raja providing the vocals, this song on family is truly a family affair.
Yezhezhu Thalaimuraikkum from Goa: The song is considered as a tribute to Pannaipuram town in Theni district, where Ilaiyaraja hails from. This is a track that any generation can relate to - though simple and rustic in sound, the nostalgia it induces is memorable. It speaks of blood ties and moving away from the small town to the big city for work. With Gangai Amaren penning the lyrics, and Karthik Raja, Venkat Prabhu, Bhavatharini, Premji Amaran & Yuvan Shankar Raja providing the vocals, this song on family is truly a family affair.
Oh Senyoreeta from Poovellam Kettuppar: This is one of the first songs where Yuvan began to show his Western music influences. The number had more than just a touch of Spanish influence (the title being a giveaway). The beats and the instruments used are perfect for a flamenco performance. Listen to it today and it will still feel super contemporary!
Oh Senyoreeta from Poovellam Kettuppar: This is one of the first songs where Yuvan began to show his Western music influences. The number had more than just a touch of Spanish influence (the title being a giveaway). The beats and the instruments used are perfect for a flamenco performance. Listen to it today and it will still feel super contemporary!
Nee Illai Endraal from Dheena: One of Yuvan's earliest chartbusters, this song has a rocking score you cannot help dancing to. It's Hollywood feel helped boost Thala Ajith's image as a 'modern' star too. Listen to it with your headphones in full volume! Oh and that helicopter sounds used in the beginning and the end of the song, who can forget?!
Nee Illai Endraal from Dheena: One of Yuvan's earliest chartbusters, this song has a rocking score you cannot help dancing to. It's Hollywood feel helped boost Thala Ajith's image as a 'modern' star too. Listen to it with your headphones in full volume! Oh and that helicopter sounds used in the beginning and the end of the song, who can forget?!
The Thulluvadho Ilamai album: This film's iconic album deserves an entire spot of its own in the list, and not just because it's the first collaboration from the hit combo of Selvaraghavan and Yuvan. Be it the unique 'Idhu Kaadhala' number about the angst of first love (a 'typical Yuvan love song'), or the lovely duet by P Unnikrishnan and Bombay Jayashree 'Theenda Theenda', inspired by the Reetigowla Carnatic raga, or ‘Kann Muney’ a youthful number describing adolescence, the soulful ‘Vayadhu Vaa Vaa’ and the Jazz and R&B-inspired ‘Vaanam Oru’, this album remains a 90s kid’s favourite!
The Thulluvadho Ilamai album: This film's iconic album deserves an entire spot of its own in the list, and not just because it's the first collaboration from the hit combo of Selvaraghavan and Yuvan. Be it the unique 'Idhu Kaadhala' number about the angst of first love (a 'typical Yuvan love song'), or the lovely duet by P Unnikrishnan and Bombay Jayashree 'Theenda Theenda', inspired by the Reetigowla Carnatic raga, or ‘Kann Muney’ a youthful number describing adolescence, the soulful ‘Vayadhu Vaa Vaa’ and the Jazz and R&B-inspired ‘Vaanam Oru’, this album remains a 90s kid’s favourite!
Boom Boom from Raam: This hip-hop inspired number with its Tanglish rap and guitar riffs can still give a lot of new songs a run for its money. The lyrics were whacky with mentions of everyone from Norah Jones to Eminem. What we call a ‘cool’ song. For 'Raam''s soundtrack, Yuvan won an award at the 2006 Cyprus International Film Festival, the first Indian composer to receive the award till date.
Boom Boom from Raam: This hip-hop inspired number with its Tanglish rap and guitar riffs can still give a lot of new songs a run for its money. The lyrics were whacky with mentions of everyone from Norah Jones to Eminem. What we call a ‘cool’ song. For 'Raam''s soundtrack, Yuvan won an award at the 2006 Cyprus International Film Festival, the first Indian composer to receive the award till date.
Nahna Nah from Biriyani: Yuvan was at his experimental best with his 100th album. This song with its catchy ‘na nah nah’ refrain and Yuvan’s soulful, melodic voice is not your conventional party number but it’s addictive.
Nahna Nah from Biriyani: Yuvan was at his experimental best with his 100th album. This song with its catchy ‘na nah nah’ refrain and Yuvan’s soulful, melodic voice is not your conventional party number but it’s addictive.
Aasai Nooruvagai from Kurumbu: Credited with starting the remix trend in Tamil films, Yuvan remixed this classic track from ‘Adutha Varisu’, composed by Ilaiyaraaja, featuring the original voice of singer Malaysia Vasudevan. The remix is even more dope-y. Another party hit.
Aasai Nooruvagai from Kurumbu: Credited with starting the remix trend in Tamil films, Yuvan remixed this classic track from ‘Adutha Varisu’, composed by Ilaiyaraaja, featuring the original voice of singer Malaysia Vasudevan. The remix is even more dope-y. Another party hit.
Vaa Masakaatre from Kurumbu: A light and peppy number, this one stands out thanks to Yuvan’s creative flute interjections. The refreshing vocals by Srinivas, Harish Raghavendra, Srilekha Parthasarathy and Subiksha deserve a mention.
Vaa Masakaatre from Kurumbu: A light and peppy number, this one stands out thanks to Yuvan’s creative flute interjections. The refreshing vocals by Srinivas, Harish Raghavendra, Srilekha Parthasarathy and Subiksha deserve a mention.
Chinna Chinnathai from Mounam Pesiyadhe: The catchy ‘na na na na’ refrain, Yuvan’s voice, the rock-inspired elements, the stunning, unreal transitions (a Yuvan feat) and the angst of a dejected lover ‘Thunbam Mattum En Uravaa.. Unai Kaathal Seithathay Thavaraaa’... stays in your head long after you’ve heard it. Equally haunting is ‘Kannil Kanthamey’ and ‘En Anbae En Anbae’.
Chinna Chinnathai from Mounam Pesiyadhe: The catchy ‘na na na na’ refrain, Yuvan’s voice, the rock-inspired elements, the stunning, unreal transitions (a Yuvan feat) and the angst of a dejected lover ‘Thunbam Mattum En Uravaa.. Unai Kaathal Seithathay Thavaraaa’... stays in your head long after you’ve heard it. Equally haunting is ‘Kannil Kanthamey’ and ‘En Anbae En Anbae’.
Theepidika from Arinthum Ariyamalum: Who can forget this racy number which was unusual in every aspect? From vocals by Anushka Manchanda and Premji Amaran (that's a combo we never saw coming) to the contrasting elements in the transition, and the classic bits from the 1941 film 'Bhoomiyil Maanida', featuring the voice of M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, this one is a winner.
Theepidika from Arinthum Ariyamalum: Who can forget this racy number which was unusual in every aspect? From vocals by Anushka Manchanda and Premji Amaran (that's a combo we never saw coming) to the contrasting elements in the transition, and the classic bits from the 1941 film 'Bhoomiyil Maanida', featuring the voice of M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, this one is a winner.
Adada Vaa from Sarvam: A constantly thumping beat, and a haunting flute portion lends a surreal, almost eerie quality to this song. There's an Arabic segment, English lyrics, and wait for it, vocals by Ilaiyaraja himself (with Andrea Jeremiah). The number stands out even in this truly experimental album.
Adada Vaa from Sarvam: A constantly thumping beat, and a haunting flute portion lends a surreal, almost eerie quality to this song. There's an Arabic segment, English lyrics, and wait for it, vocals by Ilaiyaraja himself (with Andrea Jeremiah). The number stands out even in this truly experimental album.
Yedho Mayakkam from Billa 2: A fusion number from one of Yuvan’s best albums, this party number starts with a nadaswaram portion and then goes on to incorporate trance music elements. This one throws up many surprises!
Yedho Mayakkam from Billa 2: A fusion number from one of Yuvan’s best albums, this party number starts with a nadaswaram portion and then goes on to incorporate trance music elements. This one throws up many surprises!
Aaha Kaadhal from Moondru Per Moondru Kadhal: The track has a post-modern feel to it with its stunning amalgamation of classical and western. This Carnatic fusion song crooned by Nandini Srikar has our heart. Oh, and the flute portion is unforgettable.
Aaha Kaadhal from Moondru Per Moondru Kadhal: The track has a post-modern feel to it with its stunning amalgamation of classical and western. This Carnatic fusion song crooned by Nandini Srikar has our heart. Oh, and the flute portion is unforgettable.
Oru Naalil from Pudhupettai: A gem from a gem of an album. Yuvan’s lilting voice elevates this reggae-inspired melody with beautiful violin interjections. The film’s music was entirely composed in Thailand, where Yuvan worked with the Chao Phraya Symphony Orchestra of Bangkok, even using several traditional Thai instruments.
Oru Naalil from Pudhupettai: A gem from a gem of an album. Yuvan’s lilting voice elevates this reggae-inspired melody with beautiful violin interjections. The film’s music was entirely composed in Thailand, where Yuvan worked with the Chao Phraya Symphony Orchestra of Bangkok, even using several traditional Thai instruments.
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Ilaiyaraja
Yuvan Shankar Raja songs
Yuvan Shankar Raja birthday
Yuvan songs

Related Stories

No stories found.

X
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com