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10 memorable hits from Bharathiraja films

The Tamil filmmaker, who died on June 10, explored village life and asked bold questions. Hit brings you a list of songs that stood out in his cinematic journey

,   and  Hit Staff
2 min read
Idhayam poguthey, one of Bharathiraja’s early hits. The song was shot on Rathi Agnihotri (in pic) and Bhagyaraj.

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Bharathiraja, born on July 17, 1941, made a big splash in Tamil cinema in the late '70s by telling raw and intense village stories. He died on June 10, 2026.

Bharathiraja’s films invariably had memorable songs. An early hit, Idhayam poguthe, from his 1979 film Puthiya Vaarpugal, has made an unexpected comeback, with foreign orchestras performing it whenever they play Ilaiyaraaja’s Symphony No 1 Valiant. Ilaiyaraaja was inspired by a Schubert symphony when he made this tune. He has been singing it with the Schubert symphony playing alongside his melody.

Bharathiraja worked as an assistant to director P Pullaiya and Kannada filmmaker Puttanna Kanagal and honed his craft. Puttanna excelled at extracting intense performances. Bharathiraja was influenced by Puttanna's ability to take a single thread of a story and develop it into a strong film. Bharathiraja also continued Puttanna's tradition of using locales to stunning effect, often turning them into characters that reflected the human characters' emotions.

Bharathiraja's debut 16 Vayathinile (1977) featured Kamala Haasan, Sridevi, and Rajinikanth. It broke conventions: it was shot in natural light, and banked on a host of untrained actors.

Biggest hits: Kizhakke Pogum Rail, Sigappu Rojakkal, Alaigal Oivadhillai, Mann Vasanai, Muthal Mariyathai, Vedham Pudhithu, and Karuthamma.

Muthal Mariyathai with Sivaji Ganesan and Vedham Pudhithu with Sathyaraj are often cited as his finest works. Vedham Pudhithu asks bold questions about caste and identity.

Bharathiraja's films blended entertainment with keen social observation and won six National awards.

For music, Bharathiraja worked extensively with Ilaiyaraaja. In the '90s, he roped in A R Rahman for Karuthamma.

Here are 10 songs from Bharathiraja films, curated by Hit.

1. Sendoora poove - 16 Vayadinile (1977)
Composer: Ilaiyaraaja | Singers: S Janaki

The film starred Kamala Haasan and Sridevi, and was featured in Bharathiraja's debut as director. The song, shot on Sridevi, was one of Ilaiyaraaja's earliest hits.

2. Ithu oru ponmalai - Nizhalgal (1981)
Composer: Ilaiyaraaja | Singer: SPB
A film about talent, disillusionment, and broken love. Scripted by Manivannan, Nizhalgal features this light and breezy song.

3. Kadhal oviyam - Alaigal Oivadhillao (1981)
Composer: Ilaiyaraaja | Singers: S.P. Balasubrahmanyam
Light, breezy romantic number. Sanskrit chants blend with churxh music to depict inter-religious love.

4. Vaan megangal - Pudhiya Vaarpugal (1985)
Composer: Ilaiyaraaja | Singers: Malaysia Vasudevan, S Janaki
Minimal orchestration makes it haunting.

5. Potti veccha maligai mottu - Mann Vasanai (1983)
Composer: Ilaiyaraaja | Singers: S. Janaki
Rustic folk duet with playful, earthy lyrics. Revathi and Pandiyan debuted in this Bharathiraja film.

7. Antha nilavattan naa kaile pudiche - Muthal Mariyathai (1985)
Composer: Ilaiyaraaja | Singers: Ilaiyaraaja, S Janaki
Playful, folksy love duet: "I caught the moonlight in my palm for my beloved."

8. Ninaivo oru paravai - Sigappu Rojakkal (1978)
Composer: Ilaiyaraaja | Singers: Kamal Haasan, S Janaki
A happy song in a dark film. The song features Kamala Haasan and Sridevi.

9. Porale ponnuthayi - Karuthamma (1994)
Composer: A R Rahman | Singers: Malaysia Vasudevan
A R Rahman scored for this Bharathiraja film, which won three National awards. This song has a sad version too.

  1. Idu oru nila kaalam - Tik Tik Tik (1981)
    Composer: Ilaiyaraaja | Singers: S Janaki, T V Gopalakrishnan
    Underlines Ilaiyaraaja's early style--jazzy chords, choppy vocals, and high energy. The style suited Bharathiraja's thriller.

Bharathiraja 15 Hits - YouTube audio playlist

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