Yuvan Shankar Raja began his musical career at a really young age and today, he has carved a niche for himself as one of Tamil cinema’s most sought-after composers. Versatility is Yuvan’s forte and it’s been 23 years since he stepped into this wonderful journey. Here are 6 songs from his extensive repertoire where the singer and composer pushed the bar higher.
Evan Di Unna Pethan from Vaanam
Yuvan’s techno beats and the club mix 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.
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 and the beats and the instruments used are perfect for a flamenco performance.
Theepidika from Arinthum Ariyamalum
We can’t forget this racy number which was unusual in every aspect. From vocals by Anushka Manchanda and Premji Amaran 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 complete 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 vocals by Ilaiyaraja himself. 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.
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.
