Urvasi Urvasi

"Urvasi Urvasi"
Song by A. R. Rahman feat. Suresh Peters and Shahul Hameed
from the album Kadhalan: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Released1994
Recorded1994
Panchathan Record Inn and AM Studios, Chennai
Length5:39
LabelPyramid
Songwriter(s)A. R. Rahman (composer)
Vairamuthu (lyrics)
Producer(s)A. R. Rahman
Music videos
"Urvasi Urvasi" on YouTube

"Urvasi Urvasi" is an Indian Tamil-language song composed by A. R. Rahman and written by Vairamuthu for the soundtrack of the 1994 film Kadhalan. The song features vocals by Suresh Peters, Shahul Hameed and A. R. Rahman himself. "Urvasi" was the first song composed for the film. The song was a chartbuster in contemporary Tamil music,[citation needed] and became one of the most popular Indian songs of all time.[citation needed] The Hindi version of the song was similarly successful across India.

Other versions

The song was later dubbed into Telugu and Hindi. The Hindi version of the Kadhalan soundtrack, called Humse Hai Muqabala, sold 2.5 million units in India,[1] with "Urvasi" being one of its most popular tracks. The song's name inspired the title of Rajsirpy's 1996 film Take It Easy Urvasi.[2]

In 2014, American hip hop recording artist will.i.am and singer Cody Wise, re-created "Urvasi Urvasi" as It's My Birthday.[3] It's My Birthday topped the charts in the United Kingdom, becoming will.i.am's tenth chart-topper there (including five as a member of The Black Eyed Peas).[4] In 2016, this song was featured in the Australian movie Lion.

In early 2017, AR Rahman released the unplugged version, which was written with help from his fans. Among its differences were more contemporary references such as the 2016 US Election and demonetisation.[5]

Yo Yo Honey Singh released a cover version called "Urvashi" in 2018.[6] It was also re-used in online pharmacy application named pharmEasy's commercial.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Music Hits 1990-1999 (Figures in Units)". Box Office India. 2 January 2010. Archived from the original on 2 January 2010.
  2. ^ "Benny Dayal is bringing back the classic with Project Urvasi". Indulge Express. 25 October 2017. Archived from the original on 1 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  3. ^ Ghoshal, Arkadev (6 January 2017). "Happy Birthday AR Rahman: 12 songs that defined the Mozart of Madras over the years". International Business Times. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  4. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: will.i.am, Cody Wise - It's My Birthday (Official Music Video). YouTube.
  5. ^ "Mad about AR Rahman's 'Urvasi Urvasi' unplugged? Check out the translation from Tamil". dnaindia.com.
  6. ^ "Urvashi Video". YouTube. T-Series. 28 September 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  7. ^ PharmEasy - Kharchnatyam, retrieved 4 January 2022