Tamil Music lifts

A R Rahman

2008-10-23T14:24:00.001-07:00

Hello Mr. ethirkatchi [Film: Iruvar]

The opening piano part definitely inspired. Source: Dave Grusin's Memphis Stomp, from the OST of The Firm, released in 1993.

Listen to Hello Mr. Ethirkatchi | Memphis Stomp

Genuine copy wrt the piano intro sequence. But the actual tune of the song remains original.

Kuluvalile [Film: Muthu]

The background rythm and beats inspired from the song 'rescue me' by Fontella Bass. The song was part of the OST of the film 'Sister Act', released in 1965.

Listen to Kuluvalile | Rescue me

The rythm has been used. However, the tune of the song remains original.

Akkadannu naanga [Film: Indian]

Again, the background beats are inspired. Source: Paul Young's 'Love of common people', from the album 'No Parlez', released in 1983.

Listen to Akkadannu | Love of common people

Oh sure, the beats are copied. Tune original!

Anbae anbae [Film: Jeans]

The opening sequence seems inspired from Peter Gabriel's 'Of these, hope...' from the album 'Passion: Music from the last temptation of Christ'.

Listen to anbae anbae | Of these, hope

Is A R Rahman a fan of Peter Gabriel? Tune is original!

Shakalaka Baby [Film: Mudhalvan]

The rhythm loop with an underground feel is also found in the track 'Flight IC 408' by State of Bengal and the track 'Aint talkin bout dub' by Apollo 440.

Listen to Shakalaka Baby | Flight IC 408 | Aint talkin bout dub

Possibly a commercially available loop, done with some improvisations by Rahman. The loop appears almost throughout the Apollo 440 track and at places in Flight IC 408. Actual song's tune original.

Thillana thillana [Film: Muthu]

The opening African female humming is ripped off from Deep Forests 'Night Bird'.

Listen to Thillana thillana | Night bird

Oh sure, ripped. Just that initial humming part. But if Deep Forest can rip off native African sounds....!

Poopookkum osai [Film: Minsara Kanavu]

The beats seem inspired from Lebo M's 'Rhythm of pride lands: Kube', which was last part of the Disney's Greatest Pop hits collection.

Listen to Poopookkum osai | Rhythm of pride lands: Kube

The beats are sure inspired. As usual the tune remains very original.

Thenmerku paruvakkaatru [Film: Karuthamma]

The beats are similar to a track by Dr Alban, 'Om we rembwe ike'. Note that Dr Alban himself uses a lot of commercially available loops and CDs to create songs!

Listen to Thenmerku paruvakaatru | Om we rembwe ike

The beats are sure inspired. As usual the tune remains very original. The 'yei nee romba azhaga irukke' song, 'Poi sollalaam' uses similar beats!

Paarkadhey [Film: Gentleman (1993)]

Alleged to be inspired from the Osibisa number 'Kelele'

Listen to Paarkadhey | Kelele

You decide!

Ekamevadhvitheeyam - Theme music from Baba [Film: Baba]

Inspired from the the background music of The Untouchables (1987).

Listen to Ekamevadhvitheeyam | Al Capone (The Untouchables)

'Ekamevadhvitheeyam' means "there is only one paramatma, no second entity". This song opens almost exactly like the prominent score from the cult classic 'The Untouchables' with music by Ennio Morricone. Why Rahman chose to lift this so blatantly really beats me, even if figures in Baba for a few fleeting seconds! In the soundtrack of The Untouchables, this tune plays almost throughout the movie, more so for the softer/sadder moments! I'm adding the track called 'Al Capone' which probably brings out the copy best, in my opinion! Tip: Play the Baba number in full volume, the opening plays in very low volume!

Ottagatha Kattikko [Film: Gentleman (1993)]

Highly inspired by Raj Koti's Telugu pop song 'Eddem ante' sung by Malgadi Shuba, in 1991.

Listen to Ottagatha Kattikko | Eddem ante

Malgadi Shuba's 1991 Telugu pop song, 'Eddem Ante Teddam Antav', from the album 'Chik pak chik bam', with music by Raj Koti, seems to be the source of inspiration for Rahman's superhit Gentleman song, 'Ottakatha Kattikko'. The first 2 lines' flow, that is, nothing more. And, considerably spruced up in Rahman style, of course! I recall reading Rahman's apprenticeship as an arranger for other composers like Ilayaraja, Ousepachan and Raj Koti, so a connection cannot be ruled out as a coincidence. Plus, I'm not getting into a guessing game which points to Rahman composing this tune originally for Raj Koti since that's merely a conjecture!

There's another long-standing allegation that the Gentleman track was in fact inspired by a much older Malayalam song, 'Kuyiline thedi' from the 1954 film, 'Neelakkuyil', with music by Raghavan K. I personally do not find that direct a connection between this one and Ottagatha Kattikko. Plus, the Raj Koti apprenticeship angle perhaps gives more weight to the Telugu pop song connection. My opinion? Far-fetched. No similarity strong enough to warrant a post here. But, I'd let you decide!
Listen to Kuyiline thedi

Deva

2008-10-23T13:55:00.001-07:00

Deva [Tamil]

I love you [Film: Citizen] <TC>

Copied from Sasha's 'I feel lonely'

Listen to I love you | I feel lonely

Ditto!

Hey keechu kiliye [Film: Mugavari] <TC>

Ripped off from Dr Alban's 'Enemies' track.

Listen to Hey keechu kiliye | Enemies

Ditto. But Deva has done a commendable job in the subsequent paras, good work.

Poo virinjaachu [Film: Mugavari] <TC>

Lifted from the song 'That thing you do' from the OST of the film with the same name!

Listen to Poo virinjaachu | That thing you do

Ditto. Shameless!

Akila Akila [Film: Nerukku Ner] <TC>

From Bob Marley's Buffalo Soldier!

Listen to Akila akila | Buffalo soldier

Ditto. Shameless!

Thilothama [Film: Aasai] <TC>

Partially inspired from Ofra Azha's 'Galbi'

Listen to Thilothama | Galbi

Very well inspired! The tune has been worked upon pretty well.

Thudikindra kaadhal...evar kandaar [Film: Nerukku Ner] <TC>

Partially inspired from Ofra Azha's 'Im nin alu'

Listen to Evar kandaar | Im nin alu

This is the 2nd film with Deva composing for Vasanth. My guess is that Vasanth is a fan of Ofra Azha and rubbed it on Deva!

Oh sona [Film: Vaalee] <TC>

Inspired from 2 sources! Almost the entire song is inspired by the classic 'Suzanna' by The Art Company. The second interlude is a direct lift of Francis Lai's theme music for the movie 'Love Story' (also sung by Andy William's as 'Where do I begin').

Listen to Oh sona | Suzanna | Where do I begin

One of the all-time classic lifts of Deva. A very beautiful job indeed! Fits so well in Tamil!

Mudhal mudhalil [Film: Aahaa] <TC>

Ditto from Nadeem Shravan's 'Sochenge tumhe pyaar' from the movie Deewana

Listen to Mudhal mudhalil | Sochenge tumhe

Deva at it again!

Ee Manase [Film: Tholi Prema - Telugu] <TC>

Partly inspired from the Dr Alban number 'Alabalaba'

Listen to Ee manase | Alabalaba

One of the most authentic use of an original song. Deva has beautifully worked on this number, the 2nd para sounds brilliant and is original too. But could've avoided the use of the word 'alabalaba' even in Telugu. A sure give-away!

Pul veli [Film: Aasai]

Minor copy. A guitar piece lifted from Rod Stewart's 'Maggie May'.

Listen to Pul veli | Maggie May

Just a guitar piece! Listen carefully from 03:54:05 onwards in Maggie May.

Meenamma [Film: Aasai]

Beats inspired from Genesis's song 'Mama'

Listen to Meenamma | Mama

Beats lifted!

Oh vennila [Film: Kushi] <TC>

Lifted from Portugese 'fado' singer Dulce Pontes' 'Cancao do mar' number!

Listen to Oh vennila | Cancao do mar

'Cancao do mar' was also included in the OST of the Richard Gere starrer Primal Fear. Deva is one composer who gets all these amazing world music acts to India, consistently!
Also listen to the Hindi version Ai Ajnabee [Deewangi (2002), with music by Ismail Darbar]

Velai velai [Film: Avvai Shanmugi]

Partly inspired from 2Unlimited's Workaholic! Note that the theme of both songs is about overworking! Interesting eh?

Listen to velai velai | workaholic

Inspired! And Deva knows English, for sure!

Aval varuvala [Film: Nerukku ner]

A small refrain 'get up stand up', from Bob Marley's 'Get up stand up' number is used in the tamil song. The rest of the song seems to be original!

Listen to Aval varuvala | Get up stand up

Deva gets the benefit of doubt this time!

Hello good morning toshiba [Film: Priyamudan] <TC>

Copied from Boney M's Brown girl in the ring!

Ran out of comments, actually!

Poove nee aadava [Film: Kalki (1997)] <TC>

Lifted from Kenny G's 'Against Doctor's orders' (1988)!

Listen to Poove nee aadava | Against Doctor's Orders

The similarity might not become apparent initially, but when you do trace it out, you tend to go...'hey...oh no...' and so on!

Meri jaan [Film: Panchathanthiram (2002)] <TC>

Inspired by the 1947 Hindi number 'Meri Jaan...sunday ke sunday', by C Ramchandra from the movie 'Shehnai'!

Listen to Meri jaan (Tamil) | Mari jaan (Hindi)

Incidentally, this song was also made hugely popular when it was used in an national advertisement campaign to promote the usage of eggs by National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC), a couple of years back!

Allu allu [Film: Bhagavathy (2002)] <TC>

Lifted off Hisham Abbas' 'Nari Narain'.

Listen to Allu allu | Nari Narain

Deva does it again!

Ilayaraja

2008-10-23T13:51:00.000-07:00

Ilayaraja [Tamil]

Kanavu kaanum [Film: Neengal Kettavai]

Ditto replica of the song 'kasme vaade' from the movie Upkaar. Music by Kalyanji Anandji!

Listen to Kanavu kaanum | Kasme vaade

Its my duty to add that a talk that KA and IR exchanged songs (IR had supposedly 'given' the song 'Ilaya nila' to KA!) has been doing the rounds for quite some time.

Theme from Mouna Raagam [Film: Mouna Raagam]

Inspired from the theme of the film Flash Dance by Giorgio Moroder.

Listen to Mouna Raagam BGM | Flash Dance

Inspired! No direct lift but a very beautiful adaptation of the Flash Dance theme. 'Adaptation' would be the best word to describe this. But you sure can find out traces which confirms IR listening to the Flash Dance theme for inspiration.

Chittu kuruvi [Film: Chinna Veedu]

Inspired from Antonin Dvorak's Symphony 9 - New World. The actual track is Sym No. 9 in e, Op. 95: Scherzo: Molto Vivace.

Listen to Chittu kuruvi | Antonin Dvorak's Symphony 9 (The beginning of the Tamil song can be distinctly heard in this clip. Make sure you have your speaker volumes in max, it starts with a very low volume)

An exceptionally beautiful case of genuine inspiration. This is how a composer of repute gets inspired for his compositions. This can never ever be called plagiarism. Such instances are really rare and probably more common if we dig deep into Ilayaraja's compositions! Truly, a masterpiece!

Kan malargalin [Film: Thaippongal]

Inspired from ABBA's Money money money

Just the beginning of the song.

Darling darling darling [Film: Priya]

Inspired from Boney M's number, Sunny

Again, just the beginning.

Entha poovilum vaasam [Film: Murattukkaalai]

Inspired from Antonio Ruiz-Pipo's 'Cancione et Danza: 2. Danza'.

Listen to Entha poovilum vaasam undu | Cancion et Danza: 2. Danza

The opening portion is surely inspired. But a typical Ilayaraja-like intricate work!

Ada veetukku veetukku [Film: Kizhakku Vaasal]

Inspired from Mozart's 25th symphony, 1st movement.

Good case of inspiration. Surely cannot call it copying. This is the signature tune of Titan watch advts on TV, composed by none other than A R Rahman!

Poottukkal pottaalum [Film: Chatriyan]

Inspired from the song 'My favorite things' from the all time classic Sound of Music!

Again, good case of inspiration.

Theeyani [Film: Nireekshana]

Inspired by The Sound of Music number 'My favorite things'!

Listen to Theeyani | My favorite things

Inspired!

Chittukku chella chittukku [Film: Nallavanukku Nallavan]

Possibly inspired by Rimsky-Korsakov's 'The Tale Of The Kalendar Prince', from his 1888 work by name 'Scheherazade'.

Listen to Chittukku chella chittukku | Tale of Kalendar Prince

Given Ilayaraja's love for Western Classical music, it sounds plausible...also taking into account his past inspirations from the likes of Antonin Dvorak! Nikolai Andreevich Rimsky-Korsakov is one of the leading 19th century Russian nationalist composers. 'Scheherazade' was written almost towards the end of Rimsky's career and life...as he put it himself in his memoirs, it "closes a period of my work, at the end of which my orchestration had attained a considerable degree of virtuosity and warm sonority"

Kaadhal Vandhiruchu [Film: Kalyanaraman (1979)]

A prominent portion partly inspired by the song 'Lady in Black' by the rock band Uriah Heep!

Listen to Kaadhal Vandhiruchu | Lady in Black

Lady in Black was part of Uriah Heep's 1970 album, 'Salisbury'.

Akkarai seemai azhaginiley [Film: Priya (1978)] <TC>

The opening is inspired by the 1967 British single 'Kites' by Simon Dupree and the Big Sound.

Listen to Akkarai seemai | Kites

When I say opening, I mean the first 2 lines of both the songs sound DITTO! And coming from a composer of Ilayaraja's stature, this is quite a shocker!

Karthikraja [Tamil]

2008-10-23T13:49:00.001-07:00

Karthikraja [Tamil]

Yaaro yar yaaro [Film: Ullasam]

The opening is clearly lifted, from Mahler's Fourth Symphony! Also the first interlude after the opening para is again a clean lift of Hayden's Trumpet Concerto in E.

Listen to Yaaro yaar yaaro | Mahler's 4th Symphony | Hayden's Trumpet Concerto

Two lifts in the same song! Quite rare. Goes on to show that Karthik Raja is a big fan of Western Classical music! But the tune remains very original.

Hello enthan kaadhala [Film: Naam iruvar namakku iruvar]

The way the song opens is ditto copied from the OST of Evita, the song 'Buenos Aires' sung by Madonna!

Listen to Hello enthan | Buenos Aires

Cool lift. Did not expect this from Karthik Raja though the rest of the song is original.

Veesum kaatrukku [Film: Ullasam]

The opening para copied from the song from Disney's Pocahontas, 'Listen with your heart'!

Listen to Veesum | Listen with your heart 1 | Listen with your heart 2

Superb copy. This song was one of my personal favorites! It still is!

Cholaare [Film: Ullasam]

Inspired from Sukhbir's 'Oi tiresto'.

Listen to Cholaare | Oi tiresto

The tune has been inspired and not copied in this case. Genuine inspiration. Sukhbir himself is known for amazingly shameless copying, so in all probabilities, his version is not original either! If we get the absolute original, that could give us a better picture.

Yuvan Shankar Raja

2008-10-23T13:36:00.000-07:00

Yuvan Shankar Raja

Oh shalalala jamaai [Film: Junior Senior (2002)]

Inspired by the Turkish smash hit, 'Simarik' by Tarkan, from his 1998 album, 'Ölürüm sana'.

Listen to Oh shalalala jamaai | Simarik

The same song has also been adapted to Hindi by Anand Raaj Anand in the Govinda starrer, Kunwara (song: Meri chammak challo). 'Simarik' means 'spoilt' in Turkish and this song's video has Tarkan running away from a bevy of beauties amidst narrow lanes, who desperately try to kiss him - even the song is interspersed with sounds of kisses! Its a prominent refrain in Simarik that sounds very much like the opening in the Tamil song! Trivia Note: Unfortunately, every time this song's video is shown on TV in India, the credits mention the name of the song as 'Sikidim'! Sikidim is of course another song by Tarkan too but not the song played in the video.

Theendi Theedni [Film: Bala (2002)]

Blatantly copied from his father, Ilayaraja's composition, 'Rimjhim rimjhim' for the 1989 Hindi film, 'Mahadev'.

Listen to Theendi Theendi | Rimjhim rimjhim

Does being Ilayaraja's son give Yuvan the right to pass of his father's creation as his own? I don't think so!!

Ei nanbane [Film: Mounam Pesiyathe (2002)]

The opening verses sound a lot like Vengaboys' Boom boom boom's opening lines!!

Listen to Ei nanbane | Boom boom boom

I'd like to give the benefit of doubt to Yuvan, this time.

Nenjodu Kalandhidu [Film: Kaadhal Konden (2003)]

Inspired by the prelude of The Corrs number, 'Runaway'.

Listen to Nenjodu kalandhidu | Runaway

It was rather startling to see Yuvan creating a song solely out of the prelude to the Corrs' number...the basic tune of both the songs are actually different. But yes, Yuvan has tried his hand at a Irish-styled track and perhaps should not have relied on one of the most popular Irish bands around, for inspiration - a rather easy giveaway of the source! The inspiration is very similar to R D Burman using the prelude of Procol Harem's 'A whiter shade of pale' for his 'Manzil' number, 'Tum ho meri dil ki dhadkan'. However, while Pancham created a masterpiece with the limited inspiration, the quality of Yuvan's output is debatable!

Manasu rendum [Film: Kaadhal Konden (2003)] <TC>

Lifted from the song 'A rose in the wind' by Anggun.

Listen to Manasu rendum | A rose in the wind

I came across this information in TFMpage and was rather surprised over two things - first, this is the second lift of YSR in the same movie that I had included a couple of weeks back and second, the amount of lift in this track. Blatant and in such a way that it puts a huge question mark over an upcoming (some may argue that Yuvan has crossed that stage with his so-called recent hits...that's besides the point, though) composer's creativity.

Trivia note on Anggun: Anggun (born Anggun Cipta Sasmi) is one of Indonesia's most popular musical performers. Now settled in Paris, Anggun's debut English album, 'Snow on the Sahara' with songwriter/ producer Erick Benzi, blend diverse sounds...traditional and con temporary, Indonesian and Euro-American. Benzi has, in the past worked with celebrities like Celine Dion, Algerian rai singer Cheb Khaled, and French pop legends Johnny Hallyday and Jean-Jacques Goldman. Snow On The Sahara recalls the best of Annie Lennox in the rich instrumental textures and soaring vocals of its first single, the title song; and such choice cuts as "Over Their Walls," "A Rose In The Wind," and "Valparaiso." Anggun contributed lyrics to "On The Breath Of An Angel" and to the Indonesian-language song "Selamanya." The album closes with one of its most memorable tracks, her interpretation of the David Bowie classic, "Life On Mars."

Kaadhal Mattum Purivadhillai [Film: Kaadhal Konden (2003)]

Lifted from the track 'Raven' by Hedningarna.

Listen to Kaadhal mattum purivadhillai | Raven

As if two lifts in Yuvan Shankar Raja's latest smash hit 'Kaadhal Konden' (2003) were not enough...here's the third...a much more blatant lift. This track was part of their 1994 album called 'Tra'. But I must thank YSR for lifting from this source, since it helped me sample this band's music and I simply loved it. On another plane, its shameful that YSR chose to lift so blatantly, for the main tune of the song, in the assumption that no one would know, since the source track is rare. And 3 lifts in one soundtrack is unpardonable!

Trivia Notes: Hedningarna's (pronounced "Head-nin-gar-nuh") sound is a mix of brutal Nordic folk music and modern-day sampling and programming. The intensity of modern technology mixed with the flavor of ancient instruments and tunes creates the explosive, intense sound of Hedningarna. For more on this band, check out http://www.noside.com/hedningarnabio.html

Theme from 7G Rainbow Colony [Film: 7G Rainbow Colony (2004)]

A piece lifted from Ilayaraja's background music for the climax of the 1980 film, 'Johnny'

Listen to 7G Rainbow Colony Theme | Johnny Climax BGM

Its a pity actually, because the piece lifted is really very small in terms of duration (but very significant) and as a whole, this theme music is, in one word, magical! If only Yuvan had been honest about his inspiration and added a note against this track, it would have elevated his status to new heights. Getting inspired from a composer of Ilayaraja's stature is inevitable, but if the inspiration is minimal and given the fact that Yuvan has worked so hard to create such a beautiful piece, the lack of a proper credit sticks out as a sore thumb!

Vaa vaa [Film: Daas (2005)]

Lifted from Yuvan's Dad's 1984 track, 'Adiye' from Neengal Kettavai.

Listen to Vaa Vaa 1, Adiye 1 | Vaa Vaa 2, Adiye 2

Yuvan has already been caught lifting his illustrious Dad's Hindi track in the Tamil film 'Bala'. 'Adiye...manam nilluna' is one those cult tracks by Raja. Its rather shocking for 2 key reasons - the original is a very popular number and the way Yuvan has sought inspiration. I've added just the relevant portions to highlight the extent of the direct lift. Yuvan is right now the hottest composer in the Tamil film industry and he has proven his stuff, time and again in the past few years. So its quite a mystery why he resorts to lifting 'baap ka maal'!

Ivan kattil naattu [Film: Kalvanin Kaadhali (2005)]

Inspired from Basement Jaxx's 'Oh my gosh' (March 2005)

Listen to Ivan kattil | Oh my gosh

This is a rather blatant inspiration that includes the 4 opening lines and some other prominent pieces (Did you get his number?). Sure not expected from Yuvan, who perhaps has a larger responsibility considering he's Ilayaraja's son!

Tamil [Other Composers]

2008-10-23T13:34:00.000-07:00

Tamil [Other Composers]

Devi koondhalo [Film: En Aasai Unnoduthaan (1983)] <TC>

Composer: Shankar Ganesh

Copied exactly from the song 'So happy together' by The Turtles!

Listen to Devi koondhalo | So happy together

Whoa, whatta copy!

En manadhu ondru thaan [Film: Avan oru sarithiram] <TC>

Composer: MS Viswanathan

Inspired by Beethoven's Fur Elise!

Yes, inspired!

Anubavam pudhumai [Film: Kaadhalikka Neramillai] <TC>

Composer: MS Viswanathan

Inspired by the Italian song Besame Mucho!

Yes, inspired! But very well Indianised by MSV!

Paartha nyabagam illayo [Film: Pudhiya Paravai] <TC>

Composer: MS Viswanathan

Inspired by the song 'Sway with me'! Looking for more details. Posted here is sung by Dean Martin.

Listen to Paartha nyabagam | Sway with me

Inspired!

Meghamai vanthu pogiren [Film: Thullatha manamum thullum] <TC>

Composer: SA Rajkumar

Ditto replica of the song Pakistani band Junoon's song 'Sayonee'

Exact copy! Also lifted by Deva in 'Kannedhire Thondrinaal' for the song 'Salomiya'

Welcome girls welcome boys [Film: Priyamanavale] <TC>

Composer: SA Rajkumar

Copied exctaly from Mr President's dance hit 'Coco jumbo'!

One more insipid copy!

Hey shabba [Film: Karna] <TC>

Composer: Vidyasagar

Ditto from Khaled's number 'Aye chebba'

Listen to Hey shabba | aye chebba

Exact replica, but Vidyasagar has included some good rhythm to the number in tamil!

Kalyana samayal saadham/ Vivaha bhojanammu [Film: Mayabazar] <TC>

Composer: Ghantasala

Partly inspired by the famous 'Laughing Samba'.

Listen to Kalyana samayal | Vivaha bhojammu | Laughing samba

Interesting inspiration, though!

Minnalai pidithu [Film: Shahjahan] <TC>

Composer: Manisharma

Inspired from the theme music of the movie 'The ghost and the darkness' by composer Jerry Goldsmith.

Listen to Minnalai pidithu | The ghost and the darkness theme

Good Indianization by Manisharma!

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Film: Ullathai Alli Tha

The Tamil film Ullathai Allitha with music by Sirpy was a landmark film in a sense. Its one of those rare films (not sure if we got other movies like this!) where every song was copied/ lifted. It wasn't even a remake of another movie that the composer can give an excuse that the original's songs fitted well in the remake (it was indeed the remake of Raj Kumar Santoshi's Andaz apna apna in a way but the second lead of Salman in the Hindi went to a sidekick comedian like Goundamani!). The songs are inspired from various sources such as Bally Sagoo, Egyptian singer Hisham Abbas et all! Here goes the list which also includes the same original lifted in Hindi too!

01. Azhagiya laila - Copied from Hisham Abbas' Ahla ma feki
- Also lifted by Jatin Lalit in Yes Boss as Suniye to
02. Chittu chittu kuruvikku - Copied from the Pakistani/ Punjabi number Mera Laung Gawacha (popularized by Bally Sagoo). Also lifted by Hindi composers in assorted movies.
03. Mama nee mama - Copied from Nusrat fateh Ali Khan's 'Kinna sona'.
- Also lifted by Nadeem Shravan in Raja Hindustani as 'Kitna pyara tujhe'. Has also been heard in a lesser known movie 'Aise bhi kya jaldi hai'.
04. Adi anarkali - Copied from Mungo Jerry's In the summertime, popularized by Shaggy recently.
- Also lifted by Rajesh Roshan in Tarazu as Haseena gori gori
05. I love you sonnaley - Copied from Hisham Abbas' 'Wana wana'.

Megamey megamey [Film: Paalaivana Cholai] <TC>

Composer: Shankar Ganesh

Lifted from the Jagjit Singh ghazal, 'Tum nahi gham nahi sharab nahi'.

Listen to Megamey megamey | Tum nahin gham nahi

The lift is pretty much same with no major changes, but Vani Jeyaram's singing elevates this Tamil ghazal to new heights. In fact Vani Jeyaram fondly remembers this ghazal every time she talks about her career in Tamil playback singing.

Adhe Kangal <TC>

Composer: Veda

One of Veda's most popular films, 'Adhe Kangal' had 2 prominent lifted songs. I had earlier posted a few Hindi versions of the 1964 Walt Disney classic 'Chim chim cher-ee' from the movie Mary Poppins. A Tamil version can be found in Adhe Kangal too (the song 'boom boom boom maattukkaran'), but a fairly good improvisation at that. Another lift from this movie was the song 'Oh oh ethanai azhagu' which was a direct lift from the Venturers hit, 'Pedal Pushers'.

Listen to Boom boom maattukkaran | Chim chim cher-ee
Listen to Oh oh ethanai azhagu | Pedal pushers

Maddy maddy and theme from Minnale [Film: Minnale] <TC>

Composer: Harris Jeyaraj

Harris Jeyaraj's debut film Minnale (Tamil, 2001) had a predominant theme playing in the background, 'Maddy maddy'. This was also converted into a song later and added to the subsequent audio releases. This song along with the background music that plays in the music seems highly inspired by Joan Jett's 1982 hit 'I love rock and roll'. I traced a copy of the 'Maddy' song from the net but couldn't get the background music that plays in the movie. That background piece is a much more direct lift of Joan Jett's number! Please don't compare the following two numbers....the maddy number is just a version of the bgm. If someone's got the bgm I'm talking about, please do mail me!

Listen to Maddy maddy | I love rock and roll

Kadhalagi kadhalagi [Film: King (2002)] <TC>

Composer: Dhina

Lift from Sting's song 'A thousand years' from his 1999 album 'Brand new day'!

Listen to Kadhalagi kadhalagi | A thousand years

Blatant!

Thathithom [Film: Azhagan (1991)]

Composer: Maragadhamani

The last portion of the song where it turns to a western tune is lifted from Michael Jackson's Liberian Girl.

Listen to Thathithom (towards the end) | Liberian Girl | Thathithom (beginning)

Wonder what made Maragadhamani to resort to this! The tamil song was based on raag Dharmavathy. And I've added the opening segment of the song just to make sure people identify which song I'm talking about!

Pennoruthi [Film: Gemini (2002)]

Composer: Bharadwaj

Partly inspired by Shaggy's 'Why me lord' from the album Hot Shot (2000).

Listen to Pennoruthi pennoruthi | Why me lord?

Moreso the portions 'Brahma o brahma....'!!

Thiru Thiruda [Film: Five Star (2002)]

Composer: Parasuram Radha

Heavily inspired by Aaliyah's 'We need a resolution'.

Listen to Thiru Thiruda | We need a resolution

For a pair of debutant composers, this sure is a black spot...moreso after statements like "It's time Chennai shakes itself out of the Rahmans" [India Today - September 2002].

Kannukulle unnai vaithen [Film: Pennin Manadhai Thottu (2001)] <TC>

Composer: S A Rajkumar

Looks like a direct rip-off from the old Hindi song, 'Ruk jaa o jaanewaali ruk jaana'!!

Listen to Kannukulle | Ruk jaa

Just reduced the tempo!

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Parthiban Kanavu (2003)

Composer: Vidyasagar

Prelude in the song 'Theeradha' lifted from the Native American chant 'Ly-O-Lay Ale Loya'
Prelude in the song 'Enna Seyya' lifted off the track from the string quartet Bond's song, 'Fuego'.

Listen to Theeraadha | Ly-O-Lay Ale Loya
Listen to Enna Seyya | Fuego

The lifts in Parthiban Kanavu are not tune-lifts but mere preludes, but the reason why I'm adding them here is 'cos they have been lifted as-is, with no improvisation whatsoever. The song, 'Theeraadha' has a prelude chant that has been lifted straight off a Native American chant called 'Ly-O-Lay Ale Loya' (also called as the Counterclockwise Circle Dance!!) which has been adapted by quite a groups, including the Hungarian band Djabe (this version sounds pretty good - mp3 available in the website!) and also has a remix by the Utah Saints. It has also been featured in the soundtrack of a movie by name 'Wolves' and has been a prominent feature in a world music compilation album called 'Sacred Spirits' - from which Vidayasagar must have lifted it ditto! The second lift is in the much talked about song 'Enna seyya', which is the modern version of the 50s styled Tamil song 'Buck buck'. Again, the prelude has a string section that has been lifted from the String Quartet Bond's track 'Fuego' from their second album 'Shine' (2002).

Ayya Sami [Film: Or Iravu (1951)] <TC>

Composer: Sudarsanam

Lifted from Edmundo Ros's 1945 track, 'Chico chico'

Listen to Ayya Sami | Chico Chico

Also lifted by C Ramachandra in the film Samadhi (1950) for the song 'Gore gore'. See Hindi - Others, item 10.

Muthama Ennai [Film: Sigaram (1991)] <TC>

Composer: S.P. Balasubramaniam

Lifted from The Turtles' classic, 'Happy Together'

Listen to Muthama Ennai | Happy Together

Also lifted by Shankar Ganesh - Check out the first listing in this page!

Baba baba ali baba [Film: Pudhayal (1997)] <TC>

Composer: Vidyasagar

Lifted from Deep Forest's 'Bohemian Ballet' from their 1995 album 'Boheme'.

Listen to Baba baba | Bohemian Ballet

Silly lift!

Ulagam Engum Ore Mozhi [Film: Nadodi (1966)]

Composer: M S Viswanathan

Inspired by the American folk song, 'Tom Dooley', made famous by The Kingston Trio, in 1958.

Listen to Ulagam engum | Tom Dooley

Like any other Indian inspiration M S Viswanathan has used the Pallavi (opening) but uses his own imagination further into the track.

Trivia Notes: Besides the fact that it sounds a lot like Boney M's chartbuster, 'By the rivers of Babylon' (1978) and somewhat like Biddu and Carl Douglas' 'Kung-fu Fighting' (1974), the original Tom Dooley track has a long history! 'Tom Dooley' is actually an old country ballad about a century-old murder in a small, rural county in the US. And the name is actually 'Tom Dula'. Its started with Frank Noah Profitt of Mountain Dale, at the foot of Stone Mountain in Watauga County, where he learned how to make banjos and dulcimers from his father. Frank's grandmother, Adeline Perdue, who lived in Wilkes County during the Tom Dula trial, taught Frank the song, "Tom Dula." According to family legend, she saw Tom riding in a coffin, and as he strolled down the street to his hanging, he sang a song--the same song she taught her grandchildren. One day in 1937 a man from New York named Frank Warner visited them to buy a dulcimer. Warner was particularly interested in learning Appalachian folk songs, and Frank sang 'Tom Dula' among other songs sung by his Father-in-law. Warner used one of the first battery operated recorders to capture the songs Frank sang for them.

Surprised at the interest generated by the folk songs he had grown up with, Frank Proffitt decided to try to collect as many songs as he could. He sent a book of songs to Warner, who modified several of them and performed them himself. Shortly after that, in 1947, Warner shared "Tom Dula" with Alan Lomax, a professor at New York University, who published it in his collection titled "Folk Songs USA". In 1958, the Kingston Trio heard the song almost by accident, adapted it, and added it to their stage act. They renamed the song "Tom Dooley" and recorded it for their album that year. Frank Proffitt heard the Kingston Trio perform the song on the Ed Sullivan show and was completely surprised. Eventually Proffitt and Warner filed a joint lawsuit for legal claim to "Tom Dooley". Three years later, they began receiving royalties.

Courtesy: http://www.unctv.org/folkways/TomDula/thesong/

Malligaipoo Jadhi Roja [Film: Raji En Kanmani (1954)] <TC>

Composer: Not very sure!

Lifted from Jose Padilla's 1923 composition, 'La Violetera'

Listen to Malligaipoo Jadhi Roja | La Violetera (Stanley Black's version)

Like any other Indian inspiration M S Viswanathan has used the Pallavi (opening) but uses his own imagination further into the track. It's quite easy to guess how this song made it into the Tamil movie - 'Raji en kanmani' was a remake of Chaplin's 'City Lights' and City Lights uses 'La Violetera' in one of the scenes! Though Chaplin had composed the other tracks in the movie (quite a few people think that Chaplin composed 'La Violetera' too!), he chose to use this Jose Padilla track as the theme for the blind flower seller girl character played by Virginia Cherril. I'm still not very sure who's credited as the composer of 'Raji en kanmani' - a few websites say it is T Sudarsanam, others say it is Parthasarathy, while another site says it is Hanumantha Rao. The interesting thing is that another site says that in those days Gemini Films used to work as one single entity and did not credit individuals - so the story was credited to 'Gemini Story Group' and Music to 'Gemini Music Group' and so on.

Andangaakka [Film: Anniyan (2005)] <TC>

Composer: Harris Jeyaraj

Partly inspired from 1956 track 'Chinnanchiru chitte' from the MGR-Bhanumathi starrer 'Alibaba & 40 thieves'.

Listen to Anadangaakka | Chinnanchiru chitte

Harris, being a the smartie he is, has used the original merely as an inspiration and has created his own unique tune around it!

En Aattamellaam [Film: Alibaba & 40 thieves (1956)] <TC>

Composer: Dakshinamoorthy S

Inspired by a Middle Eastern track, 'Ya Habeebi Taala' by legendary singer Asmahan.

Listen to En Aattamellaam | Ya Habeebi Taala

The similarity in the first couple of lines is obvious, while there seems to be a conscious attempt on the part of the composer to deviate from the original and make it sound different!

Athinthom [Film: Chandramukhi (2005)] <TC>

Composer: Vidyasagar

Seems to have been lifted directly from a traditional Malayalam track of the same name!

Listen to Athinthom (Chandramukhi) | Athinthom (Original)

Supposed to be an old folk song from Kerala made popular by many local bands, including one called 'Karinthalakkootam'!

Stranger in Black theme [Film: Anniyan (2005)] <TC>

Composer: Harris Jeyaraj

Inspired by John Debney's 'Resurrection' from the OST of The Passion of the Christ (2004)

Listen to Stranger in Black theme | Resurrection

Even though Harris has used enough elements to make his theme unique the similarities are glaring!

Oru Kodi [Film: Kizhakku Kadarkarai Saalai (2006)] <TC>

Composer: Paul J

Inspired by a Sri Lankan/ Sinhalese track titled, 'Ran kurahan mala' by Bhathiya & Sunthush (album, 'Tharunyaye', released in 2002).

Listen to Oru kodi | Ran kurahan mala

Why would a debutant composer lift blatantly? I'm not sure, since I don't know much about this guy, Paul J! Does he have any Sri Lankan connection?

Update on the above: Paul J is Paul Jacob of 'Bodhi Records' fame and was the third person along with Suresh Peters and A R Rahman to start the band 'Nemesis Avenue'. He is actively involved in many world music projects including one (or a couple more) in Sri Lanka. Is it just possible that he has reused his own Sinhalese tune for KKS?

Orey murai [Film: E (2006)] <TC>

Composer: Srikanth Deva

Blatant rip-off of the 1956 track 'Chinnanchiru chitte' from the MGR-Bhanumathi starrer 'Alibaba & 40 thieves'

Listen to Orey murai | Chinnanchiru chitte

The lift is quite evident, despite the composer taking us for a ride with a Hindi opening/ prelude for his song!

Sorgam enbadhu namakku [Film: Nammavar (1995)] <TC>

Composer: Mahesh

Inspired by a rock 'n roll track, 'Little bitty pretty one', composed by Bobby Day and made popular by numerous covers, the most notable one being Thurston Harris in 1957.

Listen to Sorgam enbadhu | Little bitty pretty one

Bit sad considering we're talking of a composer who died of cancer!

Mai vizhi [Film: Kondaattam (1998)] <TC>

Composer: Maragadhamani

Lifted from The Ventures' 'Escape'.

Listen to Mai vizhi | Escape - The Ventures

Also used by Nadeem Shravan for the song 'Dil jigar nazar' in Dil ka kya kasoor. Check out the Nadeem Shravan page, listing no. 37!

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Unnale Unnale - 2007 <TC>

Composer: Harris Jeyaraj

Ilalai Ullasam's prominent, repetitive hook towards the end is inspired by 'Here comes the hotstepper', last covered by Ini Kamoze.
June pona seems to be a very clever take off from Blue's All Rise.

Listen to Ilamai Ullasam | Here comes the hotstepper
Listen to June pona | All rise

'Ilamai Ullasam' uses its most prominent hook ('na na na na na'!!) from Ini Kamoze's 1994 chartbuster 'Here comes the hotstepper' and the very successful, 'June pona' is almost heartbreakingly similar to boy band Blue's 2001 debut, 'All rise'! While the former is fairly direct - same pattern, tweaked pitch, the latter makes for a neat case study in inspiration - similar organ prelude, the 'netru enbadhum' chorus appearing in almost the exact same spot as the original, plus the vocalizing effects in the background, its all there in the Tamil version!

Trivia: If you're wondering the mention of Wilson Pickett's 'Land of a 1000 dances' in my Unnale Unnale music review, in connection with 'Ilamai Ullasam' - its because, Ini Kamoze's is perhaps the last known version. The original is called, 'Land of a 1000 dances' and was first recorded by soul singer Chris Kenner in 1962 - and this did not have this hook. The hook was added in its 1965 cover version by Cannibal & the headhunters, but a better known version is the 1966 cover by another soul singer Wilson Pickett. Listen to all the versions (one above and 2 below) to see the evolution of his catchy hook. I distinctly remember Ini Kamoze's version as part of the soundtrack of Robert Altman's 1994 fashion industry satire film, 'Prêt-à-Porter'.
Listen to Land of a 1000 dances, by Cannibal & the headhunters | Wilson Pickett

Karu karu vizhigalal [Film: Pachaikili Muthucharam (2006)] <TC>

Composer: Harris Jeyaraj

Bears uncanny similarity to the structure of Westlife's 2005 hit, 'Hit you with the real thing' from the album Face to face.

Listen to Karu karu vizhiglal | Hit you with the real thing

The opening 4 lines make way for a similar sound thereafter - but all with an entirely different tune!

Aiyo aiyaiyo [Film: M Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi (2004)] <TC>

Composer: Srikanth Deva

Interesting rehash of the Malaysian song, 'Hati Kama' by composer Pak Ngah.

Listen to Aiyo aiyo | Hati kama

And to think, this was one of the most visible songs from the film, getting a lot of telly-play, along with the 'Mahaganapathim' remake, 'Chennai Senthamizh'! In fact, this catchy song has been quite adequately modified by the composer who had added his own opening (mukhda) over the original!

Trivia on Hati Kama: Suhaimi Mohd. Zain, better known as Pak Ngah, is the composer of the 1999 song 'Hati kama'. He is a well-known and prolific songwriter in traditional Malay music and has an almost complete monopoly in the Irama Malaysia music genre. This particular song was the winner of the 1999 Juara Lagu music event in Malaysia and was sung by Siti Nurhaliza and Noraniza Idris.

Minnalgal koothaadum [Film: Polladhavan (2007)]

Composer: GV Prakash Kumar

Seems to have borrowed a line or two from Akon's 'Smack that'.

Listen to Minnalgal (relevant edit) | Smack that (relevant edit)

The 2006 chartbuster by Akon is so popular everywhere that its rather strange that GV even thought of using it - or did it creep in subconsciously? GV dude, you listen to Akon too?

Yaar seidha maayam [Film: Luckyman (1995)] <TC>

Composer: Adityan

Mind-numbing lift from Billy Joel's 'She's always a woman'

Listen to Yaar seidha maayam | She's always a woman

The song is a unabashed replica of Billy Joel's 1977 classic, 'She's always a woman'. Note how blatant the lift is by comparing the part where Billy goes, "Oh, she takes care of herself" with its Tamil equivalent and everything after that! Funny huh?

Unakena naan [Film: Kaadhalil Vizhundhen (2007)] <TC>

Composer: PV Prasath (Vijay Antony is the composer of the soundtrack, but not this particular song)

Direct and unabashed lift from Rihanna's 'Unfaithful' from her 2006 album, 'A girl like me'

Listen to Unakena naan | Unfaithful

The rip is shocking to say the least - almost as if Prasath got Rihanna's vocals removed and added a Tamil layer to it. Prasath happens to be the film's director too!

Naana yaar idhu [Film: Ninaithu ninaithu paarthen (2007)] <TC>

Composer: Joshua Sridhar

Inspired by Nitin Sawhney's 'Nadia' (rivers)

Listen to Naana yaar idhu | Nadia

One of last year's most under-rated film scores in Tamil was composer Joshua Sridhar's Ninaithu ninaithu paarthen (Milliblog music review). The film had relative newcomers in the lead and Madhu Ambat's cinematography. There were a couple of pretty interesting songs in the soundtrack, most notably the mod patriotic number 'Indhiya idhu' sung by the composer himself. But another song from the film, 'Naana yaar idhu' seems to have been unduly influenced by Asian Underground star Nitin Sawhney - specifically the song 'Nadia' (rivers) from his 1999 Mercury Music Prize nominated album, 'Beyond Skin'. Nitin did not win the award, but this album was critically acclaimed and was noted for its diverse genres. Nadia had some amazing semi-classical vocals by Swati Natekar amidst mild drum and bass, typical of Asian Underground. Joshua's adaptation retains a large part of the original's flavour and tune while adding considerable electronic sounds so common these days in Tamil film music. Interesting influence, this!

Sooriyane [Film: Vellithirai (2008)] <TC>

Composer: GV Prakash Kumar

Blatantly lifted off Keith Urban's 'Somebody like you'.

Listen to Sooriyane | Somebody like you

Its a bloody direct and ruthless lift. The fact that it is by an upcoming, talented and young composer really hurts since there's really no need at his stage in career to resort to such blatant plagiarism.

Palinginaal oru maaligai [Film: Vallavan Oruvan (1966)] <TC>

Composer: Veda

The song is a unabashed lift of the jazz standard, Frenesi. Frenesi was first composed by Alberto Dominguez and was later adapted as a jazz standard.

Listen to Palinginaal | Frenesi

The original has been performed and recorded

tamil copy cats

2008-10-23T11:32:00.000-07:00

hot movies

2007-11-13T15:10:00.000-08:00

lists of hot tamil movie websites

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