There's something magical about music! It can make you remember; make you forget. It can make you smile; make you cry. It can bring you peace; make you believe... The possibilities are endless. Every person's taste is unique yet music has something to offer to all.
Some people listen to music for its technique and nuances. Some listen to music that makes them dance. Some only listen to music that they have grown up with. Some listen to music that calms them after a long day's work.
I listen to music that touches my heart. I listen to music that brings back memories. I listen to music that reminds me of someone. I listen to music that's quirky. I listen at times just for the singer's voice. I can listen with no particular reason too. For me, what to listen is more instinctive.
I can listen to Ilayaraja's compositions for days together. That man is pure genius. "Aasai nooru vagai", "Etho mogam", Vaa vaa pakkam vaa", "Thendral vanthu theendum podhu",... the list goes on & on & on. I also like music that borderlines between light music and carnatic. This is a pleasure to hear since it is light and at the same time has plenty of powerful carnatic nuances. Though I've very little knowledge about carnatic music, I find it enchanting & endearing. My recent favourite in this category is "Ennai enna seidhai venkuzhale".
For me, music is very much about the mood and the lyrics. I love listening to "Chinna thayaval" & "Aisi sazaa" because they convey sorrow both in tune and in words. I listen to "Paarkadhe Paarkadhe" & "Yaaram" because the lyrics make me smile. I am a complete romantic and that's why "Oh butterfly" & "Malayil yaaro" are my all time favourites. "Enaa maa kannu" & "Tere mere beech mein kya hai" are high on the naughtiness quotient.
I listen to "Muskanein jhooti hai" just for Suman Sridhar's husky sensual voice. I listen to Shreya Ghoshal all the time because her voice is so very soothing. I listen to "Dance Basanti" for Vishal Dadlani rocks in it. "Piya basanti" finds a place in my playlist because Chitra still has a really good voice after all these years.
I still love to listen to "Kombdi palali" because when I listen to it, I can see my office party playing in my mind. I remember the dance moves of all the dance fanatics. I also remember how much I laughed that day and at every party that followed.
I started listening to western music just because they were different from what I've grown up listening. I liked them for the variety they brought into my playlist.
To top it all, I have now started listening to songs targeting children and I enjoy it so much that I sing along when my daughter listens to them. I guess one's taste changes with time. Let's see what my playlist looks like ten years down the line.
