Roja (soundtrack): Difference between revisions

What links here Related changes Page information Get shortened URL
Created by Flying Bee
Last edited December 20, 2025
← Older edit
VisualWikitext
imported>BellevUU
m typo fix
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| name        = Roja
| name        = Roja
| type        = soundtrack
| type        = soundtrack
| artist      = [[A. R. Rahman]]
| artist      = [[A. R. Rahman]]
| cover        = Album_roja_cover.jpg
| cover        = Album roja cover.jpg
| alt          =  
| alt          =  
| released    = 1992
| released    = 27 July 1992
| recorded    = [[Panchathan Record Inn]], [[Chennai]]
| recorded    = [[Panchathan Record Inn]], [[Chennai]]
| venue        =  
| venue        =  
Line 12: Line 12:
| genre        = [[Feature film soundtrack]]
| genre        = [[Feature film soundtrack]]
| length      = 25:33
| length      = 25:33
| label        = [[Lahari Music]]<br/>Bayshore<br/>[[Pyramid Saimira|Pyramid]]<br/>[[T-Series (company)|T-Series]]<br/>[[Sony Music India|Sony Music]]
| label        = [[Lahari Music]] (Original) <br /> [[Magnasound Records]] (Hindi and Marathi) <br /> [[T-Series (company)|T-Series]] <br /> [[Sony Music India]]
| producer    =  
| producer    =  
| prev_title  =  
| prev_title  =  
Line 21: Line 21:
'''''Roja''''' is the debut [[soundtrack album]] of music composer [[A. R. Rahman]], featuring lyrics by [[Vairamuthu]]. It is the soundtrack to the 1992 [[Tamil cinema|Tamil]] film [[Roja (film)|of the same name]], directed by [[Mani Ratnam]], and starring [[Aravind Swamy]] and [[Madhoo]]. The album features seven tracks in Tamil and Hindi, and six tracks in Malayalam, Telugu, Marathi and five tracks in the instrumental adaptation album.
'''''Roja''''' is the debut [[soundtrack album]] of music composer [[A. R. Rahman]], featuring lyrics by [[Vairamuthu]]. It is the soundtrack to the 1992 [[Tamil cinema|Tamil]] film [[Roja (film)|of the same name]], directed by [[Mani Ratnam]], and starring [[Aravind Swamy]] and [[Madhoo]]. The album features seven tracks in Tamil and Hindi, and six tracks in Malayalam, Telugu, Marathi and five tracks in the instrumental adaptation album.


The song "Thamizha Thamizha" is a poem written by [[Subramanya Bharathi]]. "Chinna Chinna Aasai" was the first song Rahman had composed for the film. The song "Kadhal Rojave" has two versions in both Tamil and Hindi; a solo and a duet in the former. The Hindi version of the song was titled "Roja Jaaneman" has two versions - one by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and the other by Hariharan.
The song "Thamizha Thamizha" is a poem written by [[Subramanya Bharathi]]. "Chinna Chinna Aasai" was the first song Rahman had composed for the film. The song "Kadhal Rojave" has two versions in both Tamil and Hindi; a solo and a duet in the former. The Hindi version of the song was titled "Roja Jaaneman" has two versions – one by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and the other by Hariharan.


Released on [[Lahari Music]], it was also listed in ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine's "[[Time's All-Time 100 Movies#10 Best Soundtracks|10 Best Soundtracks]]" of all time.<ref name="Timetop10s" /> It also fetched the [[National Film Award for Best Music Direction]] for [[A. R. Rahman]] and the [[National Film Award for Best Lyrics]] for [[Vairamuthu]].
Released on [[Lahari Music]] & [[T-Series (company)|T-Series]], it was also listed in ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine's "[[Time's All-Time 100 Movies#10 Best Soundtracks|10 Best Soundtracks]]" of all time.<ref name="Timetop10s" /> It also fetched the [[National Film Award for Best Music Direction]] for [[A. R. Rahman]] and the [[National Film Award for Best Lyrics]] for [[Vairamuthu]].


The [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and [[Hindi]] versions of the album sold over {{#expr:2.8+0.2}}{{nbsp}}million units in India, with the Tamil version selling over 200,000 units<ref>{{cite news|title=A.R. Rahman makes history with record breaking audio cassette sales of his debut film Roja|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/a.r.-rahman-makes-history-with-record-breaking-audio-cassette-sales-of-his-debut-film-roja/1/292590.html|work=[[India Today]]|date=15 January 1994}}</ref> and the Hindi version selling 2.8{{nbsp}}million units.<ref name="boi90s">{{cite web|title=Music Hits 1990-1999 (Figures in Units)|url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=284&catName=MTk5MC0xOTk5|website=[[Box Office India]]|date=2 January 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102010439/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=284&catName=MTk5MC0xOTk5|archive-date=2 January 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The Hindi version of the album earned {{INRConvert|7.5|c|year=1992|lk=c}} in sales.<ref>{{cite journal|title=India Today|journal=[[India Today]]|date=1994|volume=19|page=iv|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LHEZAQAAMAAJ|publisher=Aroon Purie for Living Media India Limited}}</ref>
The [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and [[Hindi]] versions of the album sold over {{#expr:2.8+0.2}}{{nbsp}}million units in India, with the Tamil version selling over 200,000 units<ref>{{cite news|title=A.R. Rahman makes history with record breaking audio cassette sales of his debut film Roja|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/films/story/19940115-ar-rahman-makes-history-with-record-breaking-audio-cassette-sales-of-his-debut-film-roja-808663-1994-01-14|work=[[India Today]]|date=15 January 1994}}</ref> and the Hindi version selling 2.8{{nbsp}}million units.<ref name="boi90s">{{cite web|title=Music Hits 1990-1999 (Figures in Units)|url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=284&catName=MTk5MC0xOTk5|website=[[Box Office India]]|date=2 January 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102010439/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=284&catName=MTk5MC0xOTk5|archive-date=2 January 2010}}</ref> The Hindi version of the album earned {{INRConvert|7.5|c|year=1992|lk=c}} in sales.<ref>{{cite journal|title=India Today|journal=[[India Today]]|date=1994|volume=19|page=iv|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LHEZAQAAMAAJ|publisher=Aroon Purie for Living Media India Limited}}</ref>


==Background==
==Background==
[[Mani Ratnam]] after his long relationship with [[Ilaiyaraaja]], decided to collaborate with a newcomer. He initially approached advertisement jingle composer [[Mahesh Mahadevan]], who refused since it required full-time commitment to the project.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Padmanabhan |first=Mukund |date=11 September 1994 |title=On a Song |page=10 |work=[[The Indian Express|Express Magazine]] |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kmFlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GJQNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2391%2C1508777}}</ref> Ratnam happened to listen to some ad jingles, composed by Rahman, in an awards function, where Rahman received the award for Best Jingle Composer.<ref name="tribune">{{cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100214/spectrum/main1.htm|title=Golden Grammy boy |author=N. Ravikumar|newspaper=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]|access-date=2010-02-10}}</ref>{{sfn|Mathai|2009|pages=65–66}} Impressed with Rahman's works, Ratnam visited [[Panchathan Record Inn and AM Studios|his studio]] and listened to a tune that Rahman had composed long back on the [[Kaveri River water dispute]] (later revealed to be "Tamizha Tamizha" from the soundtrack).<ref name="tfm">{{cite web|url=http://tfmmagazine.mayyam.com/jan06/?t=5568|title=Artist of the Month: AR Rahman |author=Thiru|publisher=TFM Magazine}}</ref> Ratnam signed him immediately for his next project, ''Roja'', which was the first one in his terrorism trilogy. Rahman, in spite of his reluctance to seriously take up work in films, accepted the offer since Ratnam had the reputation of a director with a good taste for music.<ref name="tribune"/> Rahman would later say: "I wasn't sure myself why I accepted ''Roja''. I was offered Rs 25,000 for it, a sum that I could make in three days composing ad jingles. I think it was the prospect of working with Mani that enticed me".<ref name="tribune"/> In an August 2016 interview with ''[[Filmfare]]'', Rahman recalled that he chose not to pursue education at [[Berklee College of Music]] because he got to work on ''Roja''.<ref>http://www.filmfare.com/features/exclusive-interview-ar-rahman-talks-about-music-movies-and-family-14831.html</ref>
[[Mani Ratnam]] after his long relationship with [[Ilaiyaraaja]], decided to collaborate with a newcomer. He initially approached advertisement jingle composer [[Mahesh Mahadevan]], who refused since it required full-time commitment to the project.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Padmanabhan |first=Mukund |date=11 September 1994 |title=On a Song |page=10 |work=[[The Indian Express|Express Magazine]] |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kmFlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GJQNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2391%2C1508777}}</ref> Ratnam happened to listen to some ad jingles, composed by Rahman, in an awards function, where Rahman received the award for Best Jingle Composer.<ref name="tribune">{{cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100214/spectrum/main1.htm|title=Golden Grammy boy |author=N. Ravikumar|newspaper=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]|access-date=2010-02-10}}</ref>{{sfn|Mathai|2009|pages=65–66}} Impressed with Rahman's works, Ratnam visited [[Panchathan Record Inn and AM Studios|his studio]] and listened to a tune that Rahman had composed long back on the [[Kaveri River water dispute]] (later revealed to be "Tamizha Tamizha" from the soundtrack).<ref name="tfm">{{cite web|url=http://tfmmagazine.mayyam.com/jan06/?t=5568|title=Artist of the Month: AR Rahman |author=Thiru|publisher=TFM Magazine}}</ref> Ratnam signed him immediately for his next project, ''Roja'', which was the first one in his terrorism trilogy.<ref name="tribune"/> In an August 2016 interview with ''[[Filmfare]]'', Rahman recalled that he chose not to pursue education at [[Berklee College of Music]] because he got to work on ''Roja''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.filmfare.com/features/exclusive-interview-ar-rahman-talks-about-music-movies-and-family-14831.html|title = Exclusive interview: AR Rahman talks about music, movies and family}}</ref>


==Development==
==Development==
<!-- http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/revisiting-roja-25-years-later/article19491084.ece -->
Rahman used instruments and grand arrangements to generate an expansive sound. Songs such as "Rukkumani" had a loud thumping feel and became ingrained in pop culture. The score was performed at the Panchathan Record Inn in Chennai. The song "Thamizha Thamizha" is a poem written by [[Subramanya Bharathi]]. According to some sources, "Chinna Chinna Aasai" was the first song Rahman had composed for the film.{{sfn|Mathai|2009|page=71}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/Thirukkural-explained-life-centuries-ago-Kalam/articleshow/45057883.cms|title = Thirukkural, explained 'life' centuries ago: Kalam &#124; Coimbatore News – Times of India| website=[[The Times of India]] | date=6 November 2014 }}</ref> However, there exists a different, conflicting account of how the melody came about. Veteran music director [[M. S. Viswanathan|M.S. Viswanathan]] has publicly stated that the tune to Chinna Chinna Aasai was, in fact, his composition, claiming it was one of the many melodies he composed during a composing session for director [[K. Balachander|K.Balachander]]'s 1977 movie [[Pattina Pravesam]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=ரோஜா பாட்டை பட்டிணப்பிரவேசம் பட கம்போஸிங்கில் கண்ணதாசனிடம் எப்படி இவர் பாடிக்காட்டியிருப்பார்ன்னு யாரும் கேட்காதீங்க. இது எம்.எஸ்.வியின் நினைவுப்பிழை... {{!}} By பொ. {{!}} Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/100002271975431/videos/%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8B%E0%AE%9C%E0%AE%BE-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%88-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A3%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%B5%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%9F-%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8B%E0%AE%B8%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%99%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%A3%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A3%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%A9%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%8E%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%BF-%E0%AE%87%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%9F/918461462896801/ |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=www.facebook.com |language=en}}</ref>
Rahman used instruments and grand arrangements to generate an expansive sound. Songs such as "Rukkumani" had a loud thumping feel and became ingrained in pop culture. The score was performed at the Panchathan Record Inn in Chennai. The song "Thamizha Thamizha" is a poem written by [[Subramanya Bharathi]]. "Chinna Chinna Aasai" was the first song Rahman had composed for the film.{{sfn|Mathai|2009|page=71}}<ref>http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/Thirukkural-explained-life-centuries-ago-Kalam/articleshow/45057883.cms</ref> For the lyrics of song, Vairamuthu revealed that the song took two and half hours to write and he wrote 120 desires in the song but later shortened it into 16 and also revealed that he used the lines of a song which was originally composed for Doordarshan.<ref>http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/musical-medley-with-trivia-on-songs/article195190.ece</ref>{{sfn|Mathai|2009|page=71}} The song "Kadhal Rojave" is set in the [[Kapi (raga)|Kapi]] raga.<ref>http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/notes-that-intrigue/article4174187.ece</ref>


Regarding the music Mani Ratnam says, "I was trying to do a film, I wanted good music and I was searching for somebody who would and I heard a demonstration tape of his which he had sent across. I thought that in the first note of the piece that he had sent me was really brilliant, really outstanding piece. So I went across to his studio and he played me some more, lots of things which he had done for jingles and a few other musical pieces he has done for somebody else. They were quite amazing and I had no doubts that he would be right for my film. How much he would grow, I was not looking at. I was looking at predominately my film at that point of time. He was ready to break a lot of conventions that were there in terms of music at that point of time, in terms of recording at that point in time. So I was very lucky to find someone who was willing to break away and do something different."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gopalhome.tripod.com/arrbio.html#1992|title=The Complete Biography of A.R.Rahman |publisher=Gopalhome.tripod|access-date=2010-01-09}}</ref> For the Hindi version of the soundtrack, Alka Yagnik and Kumar Sanu were offered to sing the songs, but both declined as they did not know about Rahman at that time.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/tracking-rahman/article7774469.ece|title=Tracking Rahman|date=2015-10-17|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|access-date=2016-08-08}}</ref>
For the lyrics of song, Vairamuthu revealed that the song took two and half hours to write and he wrote 120 desires in the song but later shortened it into 16 and also revealed that he used the lines of a song which was originally composed for Doordarshan.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/musical-medley-with-trivia-on-songs/article195190.ece|title = Musical medley with trivia on songs|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 2 August 2009}}</ref>{{sfn|Mathai|2009|page=71}} The song "Kadhal Rojave" is set in the [[Kapi (raga)|Kapi]] raga.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/notes-that-intrigue/article4174187.ece|title = Notes that intrigue|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 7 December 2012|last1 = Mani|first1 = Charulatha}}</ref>


==Release history==
Regarding the music Mani Ratnam says, "I was trying to do a film, I wanted good music and I was searching for somebody who would and I heard a demonstration tape of his which he had sent across. I thought that in the first note of the piece that he had sent me was really brilliant, really outstanding piece. So I went across to his studio and he played me some more, lots of things which he had done for jingles and a few other musical pieces he has done for somebody else. They were quite amazing and I had no doubts that he would be right for my film."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gopalhome.tripod.com/arrbio.html#1992|title=The Complete Biography of A.R.Rahman |publisher=Gopalhome.tripod|access-date=2010-01-09}}</ref> For the Hindi version of the soundtrack, Alka Yagnik and Kumar Sanu were offered to sing the songs, but both declined as they did not know about Rahman at that time.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/tracking-rahman/article7774469.ece|title=Tracking Rahman|date=2015-10-17|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|access-date=2016-08-08}}</ref>
The soundtrack album was originally released in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] by [[Lahari Music]] in 1992. The soundtrack was later released in [[Malayalam]] and [[Telugu language|Telugu]] in 1993 and in [[Hindi]] and [[Marathi language|Marathi]] in 1994 by [[Magnasound Records|Magnasound]]. The instrumental special version featuring five songs was released in Tamil and Telugu by Lahari Music in 1993 and in Hindi by Magnasound in 1994.
 
== Release history ==
The soundtrack album was originally released in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] by [[Lahari Music]] on 27 July 1992.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kavithalayaa |author-link=Kavithalayaa Productions |date=22 August 2018 |title=Introducing A.R.Rahman at Roja Audio Launch {{!}} Rare Video {{!}} Kavithalayaa {{!}} Subtitled |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiChxsaCyO8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/UiChxsaCyO8 |archive-date=20 January 2022 |access-date=20 January 2022 |language=ta |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The soundtrack was later released in [[Malayalam]] and [[Telugu language|Telugu]] in 1993 and in [[Hindi]] and [[Marathi language|Marathi]] in 1994 by [[Magnasound Records|Magnasound]]. The instrumental special version featuring five songs was released in Tamil and Telugu by Lahari Music in 1993 and in Hindi by Magnasound in 1994.


==Reception and influence==
==Reception and influence==
[[File:AR Rahman Shashi Gopal.jpg|thumb|right|A. R. Rahman receiving a Platinum sales disc at the MagnaSound Awards for ''Roja'']]
[[File:AR Rahman Shashi Gopal.jpg|thumb|right|A. R. Rahman receiving a Platinum sales disc at the MagnaSound Awards for ''Roja'']]


Rahman introduced new orchestral melodies in Indian film soundtracks, which till then was based on a few traditional Indian instruments.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/music/article365003.ece?homepage=true|title=A new level of recognition, legitimacy: Rahman|author=Sarfraz Manzoor|publisher=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=10 April 2010|location=Chennai, India|date=2 April 2010}}</ref> [[Time (magazine)|''Time'' magazine]]'s noted film critic, [[Richard Corliss]] stated in 2005 that the "astonishing debut work parades Rahman's gift for alchemizing outside influences until they are totally Tamil, totally Rahman," naming it one of the magazine's "[[Time's All-TIME 100 Movies|10 Best Soundtracks]]" of all time.<ref name="Timetop10s">{{cite news | author=Corliss, Richard| title=Best Soundtracks - ALL TIME 100 MOVIES - TIME | work= Time | url=http://entertainment.time.com/2005/02/12/all-time-100-movies/#roja | access-date=14 February 2012 | date=12 February 2005}}</ref><ref name="Timesecrets100">{{cite web| author=Corliss, Richard| title=That Old Feeling - Secrets of the All-Time 100 - TIME| work=Time| url=http://aolsvc.timeforkids.kol.aol.com/time/columnist/corliss/article/0,9565,1068026-3,00.html| date=2 June 2005| access-date=24 February 2008| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216083853/http://aolsvc.timeforkids.kol.aol.com/time/columnist/corliss/article/0,9565,1068026-3,00.html| archive-date=16 February 2009| df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=Time>{{cite magazine|title="All-TIME" 100 Movies|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|url=http://www.time.com/time/2005/100movies|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050524004942/http://www.time.com/time/2005/100movies/|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 May 2005|access-date=2009-02-25|date=12 February 2005}}</ref>
Rahman introduced new orchestral melodies in Indian film soundtracks, which till then was based on a few traditional Indian instruments.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/music/article365003.ece?homepage=true|title=A new level of recognition, legitimacy: Rahman|author=Sarfraz Manzoor|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=10 April 2010|location=Chennai, India|date=2 April 2010}}</ref> [[Time (magazine)|''Time'' magazine]]'s noted film critic, [[Richard Corliss]] stated in 2005 that the "astonishing debut work parades Rahman's gift for alchemizing outside influences until they are totally Tamil, totally Rahman," naming it one of the magazine's "[[Time's All-TIME 100 Movies|10 Best Soundtracks]]" of all time.<ref name="Timetop10s">{{cite magazine | author=Corliss, Richard| title=Best Soundtracks – ALL TIME 100 MOVIES – TIME | magazine= Time | url=https://entertainment.time.com/2005/02/12/all-time-100-movies/#roja | access-date=14 February 2012 | date=12 February 2005}}</ref><ref name="Timesecrets100">{{cite magazine| author=Corliss, Richard| title=That Old Feeling – Secrets of the All-Time 100 – TIME| magazine=Time| url=http://aolsvc.timeforkids.kol.aol.com/time/columnist/corliss/article/0,9565,1068026-3,00.html| date=2 June 2005| access-date=24 February 2008| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216083853/http://aolsvc.timeforkids.kol.aol.com/time/columnist/corliss/article/0,9565,1068026-3,00.html| archive-date=16 February 2009}}</ref><ref name=Time>{{cite magazine|title="All-TIME" 100 Movies|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|url=http://www.time.com/time/2005/100movies|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050524004942/http://www.time.com/time/2005/100movies/|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 May 2005|access-date=2009-02-25|date=12 February 2005}}</ref>
Recalling the massive success of his first film, Rahman says, "I was lucky to set a sound in the first film. And I had the right people like Mani Ratnam guiding me to achieve it also and by the grace of Almighty God it set and the people know from the moment the song is heard that this is Rahman's."


Through ''Roja'' several singers got their breakthrough in the Tamil music scene as well. [[Sujatha Mohan]], [[Unni Menon]] and [[Minmini]], who is only known as the singer of "Chinna Chinna Aasai", probably her best known song in her entire career,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2007/07/14/stories/2007071452210100.htm|title=It happened one day... |newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=14 July 2007}}</ref> were noticed following their performances in ''Roja'',<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2006/04/15/stories/2006041500030200.htm|title=We get our due in stage shows|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=2010-04-15}}</ref> while noted [[ghazal]] singer [[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]] made his Tamil debut through this album.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2005/04/11/stories/2005041100680300.htm|title=Life at 50 |newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=11 April 2005}}</ref> Rahman even had musically untrained elderly women sing.v A Bengali song was made from song "Chinna Chinna Aasai", "Chotto ei grame choto ai aasha", from Bengali film Ranga Bou 1999.<ref>{{cite video| title = Jai Ho Rahman| medium = Interview| publisher = CNN IBN |year = 2009}}</ref>
Through ''Roja'' several singers got their breakthrough in the Tamil music scene as well. [[Sujatha Mohan]], [[Unni Menon]] and [[Minmini]], who is only known as the singer of "Chinna Chinna Aasai", probably her best known song in her entire career,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2007/07/14/stories/2007071452210100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215202442/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2007/07/14/stories/2007071452210100.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=15 December 2007|title=It happened one day... |newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=14 July 2007}}</ref> were noticed following their performances in ''Roja'',<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2006/04/15/stories/2006041500030200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060905130300/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2006/04/15/stories/2006041500030200.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=5 September 2006|title=We get our due in stage shows|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=2010-04-15}}</ref> while noted [[ghazal]] singer [[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]] made his Tamil debut through this album.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2005/04/11/stories/2005041100680300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050507085947/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2005/04/11/stories/2005041100680300.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=7 May 2005|title=Life at 50 |newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=11 April 2005}}</ref> Rahman even had musically untrained elderly women sing. A Bengali song was made from song "Chinna Chinna Aasai", "Chotto ei grame choto ai aasha", from Bengali film Ranga Bou 1999.<ref>{{cite video| title = Jai Ho Rahman| medium = Interview| publisher = CNN IBN |year = 2009}}</ref>
 
In the 2023 film [[Animal (2023 Indian film)|''Animal'']], a medley of the instrumentals of Kadhal Rojave, Tamizha Tamizha and Chinna Chinna Aasai was used as background music during the introduction of [[Ranbir Kapoor]]'s character.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-08 |title=Ranbir Kapoor's entry song: How Threeory Band's tribute to AR Rahman led them to Animal |url=https://www.news9live.com/videos/entertainment-videos/ranbir-kapoors-entry-song-in-animal-threeory-bands-tribute-to-ar-rahman-watch-2371804 |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=News9live |language=en-US}}</ref>
 
In the 2025 film [[The Diplomat (2025 film)|''The Diplomat'']], the track "Bharat" was re-used during the end credits.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Features |first=C. E. |date=2025-02-21 |title=‘Bharat’: Hariharan’s voice brings soul and patriotism in new song from The Diplomat |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/hindi/news/2025/Feb/21/bharat-hariharans-voice-brings-soul-and-patriotism-in-new-song-from-the-diplomat |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==
A. R. Rahman won the [[National Film Award for Best Music Direction]], the first time ever by a debutant.<ref name="Awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.ssmusic.tv/artist_profile.php|title=A.R.Rahman's Profile|publisher=[[SS Music]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407104846/http://www.ssmusic.tv/artist_profile.php|archive-date=7 April 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Rahman also earned [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director]] and [[Filmfare Best Music Director Award (Tamil)]] for his work.<ref name="Awards"/> [[Vairamuthu]] won the [[National Film Award for Best Lyrics]] for "Chinna Chinna Aasai", while [[Minmini]] won the [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback]] for the same song.
A. R. Rahman won the [[National Film Award for Best Music Direction]], the first time ever by a debutant.<ref name="Awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.ssmusic.tv/artist_profile.php|title=A.R.Rahman's Profile|publisher=[[SS Music]]|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407104846/http://www.ssmusic.tv/artist_profile.php|archive-date=7 April 2010}}</ref> Rahman also earned [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director]] and [[Filmfare Best Music Director Award (Tamil)]] for his work.<ref name="Awards"/> [[Vairamuthu]] won the [[National Film Award for Best Lyrics]] for "Chinna Chinna Aasai", while [[Minmini]] won the [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback]] for the same song.


==Track listing==
==Track listing==


===Tamil===
===Tamil===
{{tracklist
{{track listing
| collapsed = no
| all_music     = [[A. R. Rahman]]
| all_music = [[A. R. Rahman]]
| all_lyrics   = [[Vairamuthu]], except Thamizha Thamizha written by [[Subramanya Bharathi]]
| all_lyrics = [[Vairamuthu]] except Thamizha Thamizha
| headline      = Label : [[Lahari Music]] & [[T-Series (company)|T-Series]]
| extra_column = Artist(s)
| extra_column = Artist(s)
| title1 = Chinna Chinna Asai
| title1       = Chinna Chinna Asai (Version 1)
| extra1 = [[Minmini]]
| extra1       = [[Minmini]]
| length1 = 4:55
| length1       = 4:55
| title5 = Rukkumani Rukkumani
| lyrics1      = [[Vairamuthu]]
| extra5 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[K. S. Chithra]]
| title5       = Rukkumani Rukkumani
| length5 = 6:02
| extra5       = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[K. S. Chithra]]
| title3 = Kaadhal Rojave
| length5       = 6:02
| extra3 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[Sujatha Mohan]]
| lyrics3      = [[Vairamuthu]]
| length3 = 5:03
| title3       = Kaadhal Rojave
| title2 = Pudhu Vellai Mazhai
| extra3       = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[Sujatha Mohan]]
| extra2 = [[Unni Menon]], Sujatha Mohan
| length3       = 5:03
| length2 = 5:16
| lyrics2      = [[Vairamuthu]]
| title4 = Chinna Chinna Asai
| title2       = Pudhu Vellai Mazhai
| extra4 = Minmini
| extra2       = [[Unni Menon]], [[Sujatha Mohan]]
| length4 = 1:05
| length2       = 5:16
| title6 = Thamizha Thamizha
| lyrics5      = [[Vairamuthu]]
| extra6 = [[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]]
| title4       = Chinna Chinna Asai (Version 2- Bit)
| length6 = 3:07
| extra4       = [[Minmini]]
| title7 = Kaadhal Rojave
| length4       = 1:05
| extra7 = S. P. Balu
| lyrics4      = [[Vairamuthu]]
| length7 = 5:03
| title6       = Thamizha Thamizha
| length10 =  
| extra6       = [[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]]
| note6 = lyrics: [[Subramanya Bharathi]]
| length6       = 3:07
| note4 = Bit
| title7       = Kaadhal Rojave
| note3 = Duet
| extra7       = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]]
| total_length =  
| length7       = 5:03
| length8 =  
| length10     =  
| title10 =  
| lyrics6      = [[Subramanya Bharathi]]
| length9 =  
| lyrics7      = [[Vairamuthu]]
| title9 =  
| note4         = Bit
| title8 =  
| note3         = Duet
| all_writing =  
| total_length =  
| note7 = Solo
| length8       =  
| title10       =  
| length9       =  
| title9       =  
| title8       =  
| all_writing   =  
| note7         = Solo
}}
}}


===Hindi===
===Hindi===
{{tracklist
{{track listing
| collapsed = no
| all_music     = [[A. R. Rahman]]
| all_music = [[A. R. Rahman]]
| all_lyrics   = P. K. Mishra
| all_lyrics = P. K. Mishra
| headline      = Label : [[Sony Music India]]
| extra_column = Artist(s)
| extra_column = Artist(s)
| title1 = Chhoti Si Asha
| title1       = Chhoti Si Asha (Version 1)
| extra1 = [[Minmini]]
| extra1       = [[Minmini]]
| length1 = 4:56
| length1       = 4:56
| title2 = Rukmani Rukmani
| title2       = Rukmani Rukmani
| extra2 = [[Baba Sehgal]], [[Shweta Shetty]]
| extra2       = [[Baba Sehgal]], [[Shweta Shetty]]
| length2 = 6:05
| length2       = 6:05
| title3 = Roja Jaaneman
| title3       = Roja Jaaneman
| extra3 = [[S. P. Balu]], [[Sujatha Mohan]]
| extra3       = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[Sujatha Mohan]]
| length3 = 5:07
| length3       = 5:07
| title4 = Yeh Haseen Waadiyaan
| title4       = Yeh Haseen Vaadiyaan
| extra4 = S. P. Balu, [[K. S. Chithra]]
| extra4       = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[K. S. Chithra]]
| length4 = 5:21
| length4       = 5:21
| title5 = Roja Jaaneman
| title5       = Roja Jaaneman
| extra5 = [[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]], Sujatha Mohan
| extra5       = [[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]], [[Sujatha Mohan]]
| length5 = 5:07
| length5       = 5:07
| title6 = Chhoti Si Asha
| title6       = Chhoti Si Asha (Version 2)
| extra6 = Minmini
| extra6       = [[Minmini]]
| length6 = 1:07
| length6       = 1:07
| title7 = Bharat Hum Ko
| title7       = Bharat Hum Ko Jaane Se Pyaara Hai
| extra7 = Hariharan
| extra7       = [[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]]
| length7 = 3:05
| length7       = 3:05
| length10 =  
| length10     =  
| note5 = Version 2
| note5         = Version 2
| note3 = Version 1
| note3         = Version 1
| total_length =  
| total_length =  
| length8 =  
| length8       =  
| title10 =  
| title10       =  
| length9 =  
| length9       =  
| title9 =  
| title9       =  
| title8 =  
| title8       =  
| all_writing =  
| all_writing   =  
| note6 = Bit
| note6         = Bit
}}
}}


===Telugu===
===Malayalam===
{{tracklist
{{track listing
| collapsed = no
| all_music     = [[A. R. Rahman]]
| all_music = [[A. R. Rahman]]
| all_lyrics   = [[Mankombu Gopalakrishnan]]
| all_lyrics = [[Rajashri]]
| headline      = Label : [[Sony Music India]]
| extra_column = Artist(s)
| extra_column = Artist(s)
| title1 = Chinni Chinni Aasha
| title1       = Oru Mandhasmitham
| extra1 = [[Minmini]]
| extra1       = [[Sujatha Mohan]], [[Unni Menon]]
| length1 = 4:57
| length1       = 5:18
| title2 = Nagamani Nagamani
| title2       = Chella Chella Asha (Version 1)
| extra2 = [[S. P. Balu]], [[K. S. Chithra]]
| extra2       = [[K. S. Chithra]]
| length2 = 6:00
| length2       = 4:57
| title3 = Na Cheli Rojave
| title3       = Omal Poonkuyile
| extra3 = S. P. Balu, [[Sujatha Mohan]]
| extra3       = [[Biju Narayanan]], [[Sujatha Mohan]]
| length3 = 5:04
| length3       = 5:04
| title4 = Paruvam Vanaga
| title4       = Thankamani Thankamani
| extra4 = S. P. Balu, Sujatha Mohan
| extra4       = [[Sujatha Mohan]], [[Unni Menon]]
| length4 = 5:18
| length4       = 6:02
| title5 = Vinaraa Vinaraa
| title5       = Bharatham Ente
| extra5 = [[Mano (singer)|Mano]]
| extra5       = [[G. Venugopal]]
| length5 = 3:07
| length5       = 3:05
| title6 = Chinna Chinna Aasha
| title6       = Chella Chella Asha (Version 2)
| extra6 = Minmini
| extra6       = [[K. S. Chithra]]
| length6 = 1:07
| length6       = 1:07
| all_writing =  
| all_writing   =  
| title7 =  
| title7       =  
| length7 =  
| length7       =  
| title8 =  
| title8       =  
| length8 =  
| length8       =  
| title9 =  
| title9       =  
| length9 =  
| length9       =  
| title10 =  
| title10       =  
| length10 =  
| length10     =  
| total_length =  
| total_length =  
| note6 = Bit
| note6         = Bit
}}
}}


===Malayalam===
===Telugu===
{{tracklist
{{track listing
| collapsed = no
| all_music     = [[A. R. Rahman]]
| all_music = [[A. R. Rahman]]
| all_lyrics   = [[Rajasri (writer)|Rajasri]]
| all_lyrics = [[Mankombu Gopalakrishnan]]
| headline      = Label : Lahari Music
| extra_column = Artist(s)
| extra_column = Artist(s)
| title1 = Oru Mandhasmitham
| title1       = Chinni Chinni Aasha
| extra1 = [[Unni Menon]], [[Sujatha Mohan]]
| extra1       = [[Minmini]]
| length1 = 5:18
| length1       = 4:57
| title2 = Chella Chella Asha
| title2       = Nagamani Nagamani
| extra2 = [[K. S. Chithra]]
| extra2       = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[K. S. Chithra]]
| length2 = 4:57
| length2       = 6:00
| title3 = Omal Poonkuyile
| title3       = Na Cheli Rojave
| extra3 = [[Biju Narayanan]], Sujatha Mohan
| extra3       = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[Sujatha Mohan]]
| length3 = 5:04
| length3       = 5:04
| title4 = Thankamani Thankamani
| title4       = Paruvam Vanaga
| extra4 = Unni Menon, Sujatha Mohan
| extra4       = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[Sujatha Mohan]]
| length4 = 6:02
| length4       = 5:18
| title5 = Bharatham Ente
| title5       = Vinaraa Vinaraa
| extra5 = [[G. Venugopal]]
| extra5       = [[Mano (singer)|Mano]]
| length5 = 3:05
| length5       = 3:07
| title6 = Chella Chella Asha
| title6       = Chinna Chinna Aasha
| extra6 = K. S. Chithra
| extra6       = [[K. S. Chithra]]
| length6 = 1:07
| length6       = 1:07
| all_writing =  
| all_writing   =  
| title7 =  
| title7       =  
| length7 =  
| length7       =  
| title8 =  
| title8       =  
| length8 =  
| length8       =  
| title9 =  
| title9       =  
| length9 =  
| length9       =  
| title10 =  
| title10       =  
| length10 =  
| length10     =  
| total_length =  
| total_length =  
| note6 = Bit
| note6         = Bit
}}
}}


===Marathi===
===Marathi===
{{tracklist
{{track listing
| collapsed = no
| all_music     = [[A. R. Rahman]]
| all_music = [[A. R. Rahman]]
| all_lyrics   = [[Jagadish Khebudkar]]
| all_lyrics = [[Jagadish Khebudkar]]
| headline      = Label : Sony Music India
| extra_column = Artist(s)
| extra_column = Artist(s)
| title1 = Bhole Man Majhe
| title1       = Bhole Man Majhe
| extra1 = Uttara Kelkar
| extra1       = Uttara Kelkar
| length1 = 4:57
| length1       = 4:57
| title2 = Rukmini Rukmini
| title2       = Rukmini Rukmini
| extra2 = [[Sudesh Bhonsle]], [[Shweta Shetty]]
| extra2       = [[Sudesh Bhonsle]], [[Shweta Shetty]]
| length2 = 6:02
| length2       = 6:02
| title3 = Roja Priyatam
| title3       = Roja Priyatam
| extra3 = [[Suresh Wadkar]], [[Sujatha Mohan]]
| extra3       = [[Suresh Wadkar]], [[Sujatha Mohan]]
| length3 = 5:04
| length3       = 5:04
| title4 = Dhundh Varshav Ha
| title4       = Dhundh Varshav Ha
| extra4 = [[Anupama Deshpande]], Suresh Wadkar
| extra4       = [[Anupama Deshpande]], [[Suresh Wadkar]]
| length4 = 5:18
| length4       = 5:18
| title5 = Bhole Man Majhe
| title5       = Bhole Man Majhe
| extra5 = Uttara Kelkar
| extra5       = Uttara Kelkar
| length5 = 1:07
| length5       = 1:07
| title6 = Bharath Majha
| title6       = Bharath Majha
| extra6 = [[Ravindra Sathe]]
| extra6       = [[Ravindra Sathe]]
| length6 = 3:05
| length6       = 3:05
| all_writing =  
| all_writing   =  
| title7 =  
| title7       =  
| length7 =  
| length7       =  
| title8 =  
| title8       =  
| length8 =  
| length8       =  
| title9 =  
| title9       =  
| length9 =  
| length9       =  
| title10 =  
| title10       =  
| length10 =  
| length10     =  
| total_length =  
| total_length =  
| note5 = Bit
| note5         = Bit
}}
}}


Line 251: Line 261:


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
* {{cite book | last = Nagappan | first = Ramu | title =Speaking Havoc: Social Suffering & South Asian Narratives |chapter=Momentary Pleasures of Reconcilliation| publisher = [[University of Washington Press]]| year = 2005 | location = [[Washington (U.S. state)|Washington]] | url=https://archive.org/details/speakinghavocsoc0000naga| url-access = registration |isbn = 978-0-295-98488-9 }}
* {{cite book | last = Nagappan | first = Ramu | title =Speaking Havoc: Social Suffering & South Asian Narratives |chapter=Momentary Pleasures of Reconciliation| publisher = [[University of Washington Press]]| year = 2005 | location = [[Washington (state)|Washington]] | url=https://archive.org/details/speakinghavocsoc0000naga| url-access = registration |isbn = 978-0-295-98488-9 |pages=161–192 }}
*{{cite book|last=Mathai|first=Kamini|title=A.R. Rahman: The Musical Storm|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gfCTmjEAChIC|year=2009|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=978-0-670-08371-8}}
*{{cite book|last=Mathai|first=Kamini|title=A.R. Rahman: The Musical Storm|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gfCTmjEAChIC|year=2009|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=978-0-670-08371-8}}


==External links==
* [http://www.arrahman.com/ A. R. Rahman Official site]
* [http://gaana.com/album/roja/ Official Soundtrack of Roja on Gaana]
{{A. R. Rahman}}
{{A. R. Rahman}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Roja (Soundtrack)}}
[[Category:A. R. Rahman soundtracks]]
[[Category:A. R. Rahman soundtracks]]
[[Category:Tamil film soundtracks]]
[[Category:Tamil film soundtracks]]
[[Category:1992 debut albums]]
[[Category:1992 debut albums]]
[[Category:1992 soundtrack albums]]
[[Category:1992 soundtrack albums]]
[[Category:Hindi film soundtracks]]

Latest revision as of 23:31, 20 December 2025

Roja
Soundtrack album by
A. R. Rahman
Released27 July 1992
RecordedPanchathan Record Inn, Chennai
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length25:33
LabelLahari Music (Original)
Magnasound Records (Hindi and Marathi)
T-Series
Sony Music India
A. R. Rahman chronology
Roja
(1992) 		Yodha
(1992)

Roja is the debut soundtrack album of music composer A. R. Rahman, featuring lyrics by Vairamuthu. It is the soundtrack to the 1992 Tamil film of the same name, directed by Mani Ratnam, and starring Aravind Swamy and Madhoo. The album features seven tracks in Tamil and Hindi, and six tracks in Malayalam, Telugu, Marathi and five tracks in the instrumental adaptation album.

The song "Thamizha Thamizha" is a poem written by Subramanya Bharathi. "Chinna Chinna Aasai" was the first song Rahman had composed for the film. The song "Kadhal Rojave" has two versions in both Tamil and Hindi; a solo and a duet in the former. The Hindi version of the song was titled "Roja Jaaneman" has two versions – one by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and the other by Hariharan.

Released on Lahari Music & T-Series, it was also listed in Time magazine's "10 Best Soundtracks" of all time.[1] It also fetched the National Film Award for Best Music Direction for A. R. Rahman and the National Film Award for Best Lyrics for Vairamuthu.

The Tamil and Hindi versions of the album sold over 3 million units in India, with the Tamil version selling over 200,000 units[2] and the Hindi version selling 2.8 million units.[3] The Hindi version of the album earned ₹7.5 crore (equivalent to ₹46 crore or US$6.5 million in 2019) in sales.[4]

Background[edit | edit source]

Mani Ratnam after his long relationship with Ilaiyaraaja, decided to collaborate with a newcomer. He initially approached advertisement jingle composer Mahesh Mahadevan, who refused since it required full-time commitment to the project.[5] Ratnam happened to listen to some ad jingles, composed by Rahman, in an awards function, where Rahman received the award for Best Jingle Composer.[6][7] Impressed with Rahman's works, Ratnam visited his studio and listened to a tune that Rahman had composed long back on the Kaveri River water dispute (later revealed to be "Tamizha Tamizha" from the soundtrack).[8] Ratnam signed him immediately for his next project, Roja, which was the first one in his terrorism trilogy.[6] In an August 2016 interview with Filmfare, Rahman recalled that he chose not to pursue education at Berklee College of Music because he got to work on Roja.[9]

Development[edit | edit source]

Rahman used instruments and grand arrangements to generate an expansive sound. Songs such as "Rukkumani" had a loud thumping feel and became ingrained in pop culture. The score was performed at the Panchathan Record Inn in Chennai. The song "Thamizha Thamizha" is a poem written by Subramanya Bharathi. According to some sources, "Chinna Chinna Aasai" was the first song Rahman had composed for the film.[10][11] However, there exists a different, conflicting account of how the melody came about. Veteran music director M.S. Viswanathan has publicly stated that the tune to Chinna Chinna Aasai was, in fact, his composition, claiming it was one of the many melodies he composed during a composing session for director K.Balachander's 1977 movie Pattina Pravesam.[12]

For the lyrics of song, Vairamuthu revealed that the song took two and half hours to write and he wrote 120 desires in the song but later shortened it into 16 and also revealed that he used the lines of a song which was originally composed for Doordarshan.[13][10] The song "Kadhal Rojave" is set in the Kapi raga.[14]

Regarding the music Mani Ratnam says, "I was trying to do a film, I wanted good music and I was searching for somebody who would and I heard a demonstration tape of his which he had sent across. I thought that in the first note of the piece that he had sent me was really brilliant, really outstanding piece. So I went across to his studio and he played me some more, lots of things which he had done for jingles and a few other musical pieces he has done for somebody else. They were quite amazing and I had no doubts that he would be right for my film."[15] For the Hindi version of the soundtrack, Alka Yagnik and Kumar Sanu were offered to sing the songs, but both declined as they did not know about Rahman at that time.[16]

Release history[edit | edit source]

The soundtrack album was originally released in Tamil by Lahari Music on 27 July 1992.[17] The soundtrack was later released in Malayalam and Telugu in 1993 and in Hindi and Marathi in 1994 by Magnasound. The instrumental special version featuring five songs was released in Tamil and Telugu by Lahari Music in 1993 and in Hindi by Magnasound in 1994.

Reception and influence[edit | edit source]

A. R. Rahman receiving a Platinum sales disc at the MagnaSound Awards for Roja

Rahman introduced new orchestral melodies in Indian film soundtracks, which till then was based on a few traditional Indian instruments.[18] Time magazine's noted film critic, Richard Corliss stated in 2005 that the "astonishing debut work parades Rahman's gift for alchemizing outside influences until they are totally Tamil, totally Rahman," naming it one of the magazine's "10 Best Soundtracks" of all time.[1][19][20]

Through Roja several singers got their breakthrough in the Tamil music scene as well. Sujatha Mohan, Unni Menon and Minmini, who is only known as the singer of "Chinna Chinna Aasai", probably her best known song in her entire career,[21] were noticed following their performances in Roja,[22] while noted ghazal singer Hariharan made his Tamil debut through this album.[23] Rahman even had musically untrained elderly women sing. A Bengali song was made from song "Chinna Chinna Aasai", "Chotto ei grame choto ai aasha", from Bengali film Ranga Bou 1999.[24]

In the 2023 film Animal, a medley of the instrumentals of Kadhal Rojave, Tamizha Tamizha and Chinna Chinna Aasai was used as background music during the introduction of Ranbir Kapoor's character.[25]

In the 2025 film The Diplomat, the track "Bharat" was re-used during the end credits.[26]

Awards[edit | edit source]

A. R. Rahman won the National Film Award for Best Music Direction, the first time ever by a debutant.[27] Rahman also earned Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director and Filmfare Best Music Director Award (Tamil) for his work.[27] Vairamuthu won the National Film Award for Best Lyrics for "Chinna Chinna Aasai", while Minmini won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback for the same song.

Track listing[edit | edit source]

Tamil[edit | edit source]

All lyrics are written by Vairamuthu, except Thamizha Thamizha written by Subramanya Bharathi; all music is composed by A. R. Rahman.

Label : Lahari Music & T-Series
No.TitleLyricsArtist(s)Length
1."Chinna Chinna Asai (Version 1)"VairamuthuMinmini4:55
2."Pudhu Vellai Mazhai"VairamuthuUnni Menon, Sujatha Mohan5:16
3."Kaadhal Rojave" (Duet)VairamuthuS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sujatha Mohan5:03
4."Chinna Chinna Asai (Version 2- Bit)" (Bit)VairamuthuMinmini1:05
5."Rukkumani Rukkumani"VairamuthuS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra6:02
6."Thamizha Thamizha"Subramanya BharathiHariharan3:07
7."Kaadhal Rojave" (Solo)VairamuthuS. P. Balasubrahmanyam5:03

Hindi[edit | edit source]

All lyrics are written by P. K. Mishra; all music is composed by A. R. Rahman.

Label : Sony Music India
No.TitleArtist(s)Length
1."Chhoti Si Asha (Version 1)"Minmini4:56
2."Rukmani Rukmani"Baba Sehgal, Shweta Shetty6:05
3."Roja Jaaneman" (Version 1)S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sujatha Mohan5:07
4."Yeh Haseen Vaadiyaan"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra5:21
5."Roja Jaaneman" (Version 2)Hariharan, Sujatha Mohan5:07
6."Chhoti Si Asha (Version 2)" (Bit)Minmini1:07
7."Bharat Hum Ko Jaane Se Pyaara Hai"Hariharan3:05

Malayalam[edit | edit source]

All lyrics are written by Mankombu Gopalakrishnan; all music is composed by A. R. Rahman.

Label : Sony Music India
No.TitleArtist(s)Length
1."Oru Mandhasmitham"Sujatha Mohan, Unni Menon5:18
2."Chella Chella Asha (Version 1)"K. S. Chithra4:57
3."Omal Poonkuyile"Biju Narayanan, Sujatha Mohan5:04
4."Thankamani Thankamani"Sujatha Mohan, Unni Menon6:02
5."Bharatham Ente"G. Venugopal3:05
6."Chella Chella Asha (Version 2)" (Bit)K. S. Chithra1:07

Telugu[edit | edit source]

All lyrics are written by Rajasri; all music is composed by A. R. Rahman.

Label : Lahari Music
No.TitleArtist(s)Length
1."Chinni Chinni Aasha"Minmini4:57
2."Nagamani Nagamani"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra6:00
3."Na Cheli Rojave"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sujatha Mohan5:04
4."Paruvam Vanaga"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sujatha Mohan5:18
5."Vinaraa Vinaraa"Mano3:07
6."Chinna Chinna Aasha" (Bit)K. S. Chithra1:07

Marathi[edit | edit source]

All lyrics are written by Jagadish Khebudkar; all music is composed by A. R. Rahman.

Label : Sony Music India
No.TitleArtist(s)Length
1."Bhole Man Majhe"Uttara Kelkar4:57
2."Rukmini Rukmini"Sudesh Bhonsle, Shweta Shetty6:02
3."Roja Priyatam"Suresh Wadkar, Sujatha Mohan5:04
4."Dhundh Varshav Ha"Anupama Deshpande, Suresh Wadkar5:18
5."Bhole Man Majhe" (Bit)Uttara Kelkar1:07
6."Bharath Majha"Ravindra Sathe3:05

Instrumental adaptation[edit | edit source]

An instrumental adaptation album was also released. The album was released in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Corliss, Richard (12 February 2005). "Best Soundtracks – ALL TIME 100 MOVIES – TIME". Time. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  2. ↑ "A.R. Rahman makes history with record breaking audio cassette sales of his debut film Roja". India Today. 15 January 1994.
  3. ↑ "Music Hits 1990-1999 (Figures in Units)". Box Office India. 2 January 2010. Archived from the original on 2 January 2010.
  4. ↑ "India Today". India Today. 19. Aroon Purie for Living Media India Limited: iv. 1994.
  5. ↑ Padmanabhan, Mukund (11 September 1994). "On a Song". Express Magazine. p. 10.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 N. Ravikumar. "Golden Grammy boy". The Tribune. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
  7. ↑ Mathai 2009, pp. 65–66.
  8. ↑ Thiru. "Artist of the Month: AR Rahman". TFM Magazine.
  9. ↑ "Exclusive interview: AR Rahman talks about music, movies and family".
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Mathai 2009, p. 71.
  11. ↑ "Thirukkural, explained 'life' centuries ago: Kalam | Coimbatore News – Times of India". The Times of India. 6 November 2014.
  12. ↑ "ரோஜா பாட்டை பட்டிணப்பிரவேசம் பட கம்போஸிங்கில் கண்ணதாசனிடம் எப்படி இவர் பாடிக்காட்டியிருப்பார்ன்னு யாரும் கேட்காதீங்க. இது எம்.எஸ்.வியின் நினைவுப்பிழை... | By பொ. | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  13. ↑ "Musical medley with trivia on songs". The Hindu. 2 August 2009.
  14. ↑ Mani, Charulatha (7 December 2012). "Notes that intrigue". The Hindu.
  15. ↑ "The Complete Biography of A.R.Rahman". Gopalhome.tripod. Retrieved 9 January 2010.
  16. ↑ "Tracking Rahman". The Hindu. 17 October 2015. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  17. ↑ Kavithalayaa (22 August 2018). "Introducing A.R.Rahman at Roja Audio Launch | Rare Video | Kavithalayaa | Subtitled" (in தமிழ்). Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2022 – via YouTube.
  18. ↑ Sarfraz Manzoor (2 April 2010). "A new level of recognition, legitimacy: Rahman". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
  19. ↑ Corliss, Richard (2 June 2005). "That Old Feeling – Secrets of the All-Time 100 – TIME". Time. Archived from the original on 16 February 2009. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
  20. ↑ ""All-TIME" 100 Movies". Time. 12 February 2005. Archived from the original on 24 May 2005. Retrieved 25 February 2009.
  21. ↑ "It happened one day..." The Hindu. Archived from the original on 15 December 2007. Retrieved 14 July 2007.
  22. ↑ "We get our due in stage shows". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 5 September 2006. Retrieved 15 April 2010.
  23. ↑ "Life at 50". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 7 May 2005. Retrieved 11 April 2005.
  24. ↑ Jai Ho Rahman (Interview). CNN IBN. 2009.
  25. ↑ "Ranbir Kapoor's entry song: How Threeory Band's tribute to AR Rahman led them to Animal". News9live. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  26. ↑ Features, C. E. (21 February 2025). "'Bharat': Hariharan's voice brings soul and patriotism in new song from The Diplomat". Cinema Express. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "A.R.Rahman's Profile". SS Music. Archived from the original on 7 April 2010.

Further reading[edit | edit source]

Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Roja_(soundtrack)&oldid=471448"
Discover more