Urvasi Urvasi
"Urvasi Urvasi" is a Tamil-language song (later dubbed into Telugu and Hindi) composed by A. R. Rahman and written by Vairamuthu for the 1994 Indian film Kadhalan. The song features vocals by Suresh Peters, Shahul Hameed and A. R. Rahman himself. "Urvasi" was the first song composed for the film. The song was a chartbuster in contemporary Tamil music and became very popular, with the funny lyrics. The song was played at every club, disco, restaurant, marriage hall and street corner across the country and went down in Indian movie history as one of the most popular songs of all time. The immense national popularity of the song, led to subsequent dubbed versions in Telugu and Hindi.
| "Urvasi Urvasi" | |
|---|---|
| Song by A. R. Rahman feat. Suresh Peters and Shahul Hameed | |
| from the album Kadhalan: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | |
| Released | 1994 |
| Format | CD single, Digital download |
| Recorded | 1994 Panchathan Record Inn and AM Studios, Chennai |
| Length | 5:39 |
| Label | Pyramid |
| Songwriter(s) | A. R. Rahman (composer) Vairamuthu (lyrics) |
| Producer(s) | A. R. Rahman |
The Hindi version of the Kadhalan soundtrack, called Humse Hai Muqabala, sold 2.5 million units in India,[1] with "Urvasi" being one of its most popular tracks. It inspired the title of Rajsirpy's 1996 film Take It Easy Urvasi
In 2014, American hip hop recording artist will.i.am and singer Cody Wise, re-created Urvasi Urvasi as It's My Birthday.[2] It's My Birthday topped the charts in the United Kingdom, becoming will.i.am's tenth chart-topper there (including five as a member of The Black Eyed Peas).[3] In 2016, this song was featured in Australian movie Lion (2016 film).
Reincarnation
Nearly 2 decades the Urvasi Urvasi song took audiences by storm, A. R. Rahman unveiled its “reimagined” version on the sixth season of MTV Unplugged. The Oscar-winning composer had asked his fans to contribute fresh lyrics for the charanam of the song and upon receiving more than a 1,000 comments on his Facebook page, picked four contributions. The unplugged version is aimed to be more contemporary in its references — Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, demonetisation and some puns in Tamil. It has so far garnered more than 6 million views on Facebook.[4][5]
Rahman released the new version of the hit song Urvasi on 11 January 2017 for the sixth season of MTV Unplugged, with Suresh Peters and composer Ranjit Barot. Rahman has now announced that he plans to release ‘unplugged versions’ of five more of his super hits. The five songs will be aired in the opening episode of Royal Stag Barrel Select MTV Unplugged Season 6 which goes on air on 14 January at 8 PM on MTV.[6]
For the new version, Rahman left no socio-political issue unmentioned in the reprised lyrics- from Donald Trump's victory to demonetized India.[7]
Some of the lyrics go like this:
Hillary Clinton Thoothu Poonal, Take it easy policy
Donald Trump presidentaanal,Take it easy policy
Ainooru ruba sella poonal, Take it easy policy
Aaiyaram ruba sella poonal, Take it easy policy
Music video
Prabhu Deva choreographed and performed the song. The song is picturised as an opening street dance sequence featuring the lead characters Prabhu (played by Prabhu Deva) and Vasanth (played by Vadivelu). State of the art was also used in the video.
Urvasi Urvasi's music video tells the story of the college buddies Prabhu Deva and Vadivelu trying to practice the policy of Take it Easy for the people in the suburban streets of Chennai. The song features the 29C Ladies Special MTC Pallavan bus, the well known famous places of Chennai, a Glass-made Bus and the views of the Chennai High Court.
See also
References
- "Music Hits 1990-1999 (Figures in Units)". Box Office India. 2 January 2010. Archived from the original on 2 January 2010.
- http://www.ibtimes.co.in/happy-birthday-ar-rahman-12-songs-that-defined-mozart-madras-over-years-711164
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuM7hObGjWI
- "A.R. Rahman - Remember when we asked all of you to suggest... - Facebook". facebook.com. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
- M., Ramakrishnan. "AR Rahman's new version of 'Urvasi Urvasi' goes viral". thehindu.com. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
- "AR Rahman: After Urvasi Urvasi, five more unplugged songs set to wow audiences". hindustantimes.com. 14 January 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
- "Mad about AR Rahman's 'Urvasi Urvasi' unplugged? Check out the translation from Tamil - Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis". dnaindia.com. 13 January 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2017.