According to a recent report from the UN, the world will have only 60% of the water it needs in 2030. To put that in perspective, that means half as many rain songs. Yes, that’s how bad life can get. And so, on this World Water Day, we dedicate songs to our dwindling sources of water – the rivers and the lakes; the summer rains and the monsoons. Enjoy them while they last.
Here are a few of our favourite rain songs:
Thenmerku Paruvakattru
In this song from the film Karuthamma, which is composed in Sree Ragam, AR Rahman brilliantly brings in an effect of monsoon shower.
Chinna Chinna Mazhaithuligal
This is one of the very few song scenes the handsome Aravind Swamy has danced in. Chinna Chinna Mazhaithulikal is from the film En Swaasa Kaatre, which was a box office flop. However, this lively song still remains as a favourite of music lovers.
Odigira Thanniyile
This VS Narasimhan song from the film Achamillai Achamillai, you see the love-struck Saritha asking the stream to convey her feelings to the hero. Shot in picturesque locations, this song is a treat to eyes and ears.
Mazhai Varudhu
Like we said, there is nothing in nature more romantic than an impending cool shower. Here is yet another Ilaiyaraja song that celebrates romance and threatens rain.
And this beautiful AR Rahman melody from the film May Madham, which has the hero comparing his ladylove to a drop of rain.
Nadiye Nadiye
In the film Rhythm, Arjun roams along the banks of famous rivers, praising their virtues, with a little help from AR Rahman. Listen to this song which beautifully compares a river with a woman.
Thanneer Thanneer
Water scarcity has always been a worrying issue in rural Tamil Nadu. In 1981 K Balachander movie, which is set in a drought-hit village in the state, the villagers, fed up of corrupt politicians and indifferent administration, come together to solve the long-standing water problem. In this song you see an entire village dancing in merry when the first drop of rain falls from the sky.
Barso Re Megha !
Rahman has effectively used the music of rain in many of his songs. For this beautiful song from Mani Ratnam film Guru, which is shot in pristine rural India, the maestro has incorporated the sound of water falls, falling rain, thunder and flowing water.
Rahman has done the same in a tiny portion of this song from the Bharathiraja film Kizhakku Seemayile.
