AR Rahman's Instruments

A lot has already been written about how Rahman popularised ideas like "Sound engineering" and "layering". RGV had written an insightful piece on how Rahman sculpts sound. Not much has been written about Rahman's instruments however. And I am not going to write about it either! Saying that I am trained in classical music is a bit like saying that Kamaal R Khan has studied astrophysics, it is a true but useless thing. Hence I will just advise you that if you ever happen to come across some strange musical instrument in Egypt or Rwanda or Venezuela, don't say that you don't know the instrument. You might not have heard about it but there is a good chance that you have already heard it! Claiming that Rahman has already used that instrument in some song of his would be a safe bet ! It is then no wonder that legends like Naveen(Flute), Sivamani, Kadri, Santoor Seenu(Santoor, Harp, Mandolin etc. The word "etc" is important because this guy can play 20+ instruments), Prasanna(Guitar), Asad Khan(Sitar), Vishwamohan Bhatt(Mohan Veena),Ustad Sultan Khan(Sarangi) have worked with him and have great respect for him.

There are cases where he has used Guitar for a Carnatic Raga, Santoor like a Guitar, sound of the train like a percussion instrument, Sitar for beats and such. Someone qualified has to write about all that. Here is a compilation of some Rahman songs where some instruments did a rollicking good job of mesmerising us. The ones that stood out for me(Some are the ones where I could recognise the instruments some were collected from interviews, reviews, blogs etc):

Naveen's Flute - That mellifluous and heart melting theme of Bombay, Airtel tune
Chidi ya tu hoti to - Ghata and castanet
Urvasi Urvasi (Kaadhalan) – Sarangi and Jalra with the drums
En Veettu Thottathil (Gentleman) – Veene and Jaltarang.
Paakkaadhe (Gentleman), Anbae Idhu Nijam (Rhythm) – The violins
Ennavale (Kaadhalan) & Tanha Tanha (Rangeela) – Naveen’s flute and Mridanga
Tamate/Dafli - Ghanan Ghanan
Pachai Nirame (Alai Paayudhey) – Flute and violins.
Mitwa - Ektara, bass guitar, Bass drums, ghata, violin
Shehnai by Madhukar Dhumal - Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera
Munbe Vaa (Sillunu Oru Kaadhal) Chanchan from Water – The santoor
Masakkali (Delhi 6) – The accordion
Sitar - Mausam and Escape (Slumdog Millionaire) and Ta Taa Tai from Million dollar arm are my favourites. Kannamoochi from Kandukondain is also worth mentioning.
Rehna Tu (Delhi 6) – The continuum fingerboard
Masakkali - Congo drums and accordion
Saxophone by Kadri Gopalanath: Anjali anjali
Khalbali - Some Egyptian drum called darbuka by Hossam Ramzy. This guy's talent was put to much better use in Meenaxi, listen to Potter's village and Rang Hai songs.
Mohan Veena - Narumugaiye(Iruvar) also used in the 2nd interlude of Radha kaise na jale
Vidukadhaiya - Muthu - Tanpura
Mosquitos(Connections album) - Sarangi and Ghata
Tabla - Kehna hi kya, Arziyan(Delhi 6), Ay Sakhi(Raanjhana), Halla gulla(Bombay), Ay Hairathe(Guru)
Dolu/Dhol - Jiya Re Jiya(Connections album), Azeem O Shaan Shahenshah
Kurukku siruthavale(Mudhalavan) - Dholak, tabla, Sarangi
Tum tak - Taala(Manjira), tabla, Guitar
Jiya jale - Mridanga
Piano - Chanda Re from Sapnay, Roja theme, Worldspace Theme Song
Guitar - Aye Udi Udi, Yuhi hi chalaa from Swades,Desi Thoughts from Million Dollar Arm, July Matham(Prasanna)
Cyclist's rhythm in Meenaxi - Cycle bells with other percussion instruments!!
Some Chinese instrument called Yangqin - Ajooba (Jeans)
Kuchi Kuchi Rakkamma - Bulbul Tarang
Maya Machindra - Saz (Some Turkish instrument)

Please add your favourites.