“The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.”
– Albert Einstein
Like millions out there, I’m a big fan of A R Rahman. He is an inspiration to me more than anything else.
Inspirations are everywhere, there are only bad and good way of getting inspired. Some do blatant copies of other creative works, some use patterns from other works and some cleverly uses inspirations to create even better art. ARR is among the last category, in my opinion.
Some patterns, background scores or even notes of his have faint or striking similarities to many artists who have most often not been credited to (while some have been like Talvin Singh, for Bombay Theme). This is only a post that lists them down in no particular order. This is – not a post that shows or wishes to discuss how bad or good a composer he is.
1. Aaromale from Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaaaya resembles Dave Mathews Band No.27.
Song : Aaromale, Movie : Vinnai Thandi Varuvaya (Tamil)
Resembles: Dave Mathews Band No.27
2. Puthu Vellai Mazhai from Roja resembles Vangelis “Chariots of Fire”
Song : Puthu Vellai Mazhai Movie : Roja (Tamil)
Resembles : Vangelis, Chariots of Fire
3. Telephone Manipol from Indian resembles Ace of Base song.
Song : Telephone Manipol Movie : Indian (Tamil)
Resembles : Ace of Base, All That She Wants
4. Ennai Kaanavillayae from Kaadhal Desam resembles Enigma’s Sadeness.
Song : Ennai Kaanavillayae Movie : Kaadhal Desam (Tamil)
Resembles : Enigma, Sadeness
5. Endrendrum Punnagai from Alai Paayuthey resembles Backstreet Boys.
Song : Endrendrum Punnagai Movie : Alai Paayuthey (Tamil)
Resembles: Everybody, Backstreetboys
6. Challa from Jab Tak Hai Jaan resembles Save Tonight by Eagle Eye Cherry.
Song : Challa Movie : Jab Tak Hai Jaan (Hindi)
Resembles: Save Tonight by Eagle Eye Cherry
7. Hello Mister from Iruvar resembles Memphis Stomp by Dave Grusin.
Song : Hello Mister Movie : Iruvar (Tamil)
Resembles: Memphis Stomp Artist : Dave Grusin
8. Poo Pookkum Osai from Minsara Kanavu resembles Rhythm of the Pride Lands by Kube.
Song : Poo Pookkum Osai Movie : Minsara Kanavu (Tamil)
Resembles: Rhythm of the Pride Artist : Kube
9. Thenmaerkku Paruvakkaatru from Karuthamma resembles Dr. Alban’s Om We Rembwe Ike.
Song : Thenmaerku Paruvakkaatru Movie : Karuthamma (Tamil)
Resembles: Om We Rembwe Artist : Dr. Alban
10. Paakathe Paakathey from Gentlemen resembles Osibisa’s Kelele Kelele.
Song: Pakaathey Paakathey Movie: Gentleman (Tamil)
Resembles : Kelele Kelele Artist: Osibisa
Inspiration is a natural process for creative folks. Sometimes, it happens deliberately but most of the times unknowingly. The genius is in making even the simplest patterns sound amazing, and no one does that best like ARR.
