One of my favorite ragas is Keeravani. It is the 21st Melakarta ragam and its quite popular in western music as well. It is known as Harmonic minor scale in western music. Many songs have been composed in this raga. Most of Ilaiyaraja's compositions are in this raga.
One such song is Oru Kili Uruguthu song from Anandha Kummi movie. Its a beautiful as well as an innovative composition by Ilaiyaraja in Keeravani ragam. Then, of course the song Keeravani from Paadum Paravaigal is also based on Keeravani raga. Its my favorite song as the fluctuations of the high & low notes are well composed. We can hear the Carnatic touch relevant throughout the song. Another great composition by our Maestro. The popular song Unna Nenachen from Apoorva Sagodharargal is also another example of this raga. The song won a National Award. That makes us believe that Keeravani is obviously a beautiful raga.
The soulful acapella type song Ennule Ennule from the movie Valli explicitly reveals Keeravani in a heavenly manner. Other soulful melodies like Mandram Vandha, Raja Raja Cholan, Kanne Kalaimaane, Povoma Oorgolam, Chinna Mani Kuyile, etc., are composed by Ilaiyaraja in this heart wrenching raga.
I found an evergreen goldie Paatu Paadava from Thenilavu which is also based on this raga. A.R. Rahman has not left Keeravani behind. The chartbuster Vennilave Vennilave from Minsaara Kanavu has been composed in this raga. Whenever I listen to this song, I get a magical feeling that no other song has given. Indeed, Keeravani is divine. Other songs of Rahman like Ennai Kaanavillaiye, Sandhana Thendralai and Evano Oruvan Vaasikiran are also composed in this raga.
There are many more songs composed in this raga. And my most favorite is a Telugu song Nee Choopule from Endhukante Premanta in which Keeravani is in its fullest form!
Keeravani is also proved to be a raga which is good for heart. So listen to Keeravani based songs and get inspired spiritually.
Finally, I give you the list of Tamil songs on Keeravani raga below in no order:
- Paatu Paadava-Thenilavu
- Oru Kili Uruguthu-Anandha Kummi
- Unna Nenachen-Apoorva Sagodharargal
- Malaiyoram Veesum-Paadu Nilaave
- Keeravani-Paadum Paravaigal
- Raja Raja Cholan-Rettai Vaal Kuruvi
- Poo Pookum Maasam-Varusham 16
- Mandram Vandha-Mouna Raagam
- Kanne Kalaimaane-Moondram Pirai
- Chinna Mani Kuyile-Amman Kovil Kizhakaale
- Povoma Oorgolam-Chinna Thambi
- Thendral Kaatre-Kumbakarai Thangaiyya
- Poongodithaan-Idhayam
- O Paapa Laali-Idhayathai Thirudaathe
- Kaatril Endhan Geetham-Jhonny
- Mannil Indha Kaadhal-Keladi Kanmani
- Ennulle Ennulle-Valli
- Nenjukulla Innarenu-Ponnumani
- Vennilave Vennilave-Minsaara Kanavu
- Ennai Kaanavillaiye-Kaadhal Desam
- Sandhana Thendralai-Kandukonden Kandukonden
- Evano Oruvan-Alaipaayuthey
- Enge Sellum-Sethu
- Manjal Poosum-Friends
- Ennai Thaalata-Kaadhaluku Mariyadhai
- Oliyile Therivadhu-Azhagi
- Unkuthama-Azhagi