17 Famous Tamil Songs

Tamil music is trendy in India and many parts of the world, and there’s no shortage of famous Tamil songs to choose from.

While the majority of these songs are from film and television, not all are; but all are worth a listen.

1. “Pudhu Vellai Mazhai” by A. R. Rahman, Sujatha, and Unni Menon

Song Year: 1992

One of the best and most famous Tamil songs comes from the 1992 film Roja. To give you a better idea of what the song is about, knowing the plot of the movie can help.

The movie is about a woman's sister who is about to get married to a man, but he ends up marrying the sister before getting kidnapped.

“Pudhu Vellai Mazhai” is a love song of sorts. While the translations aren't 100%, many of the lyrics are about how if his love is a bird, he'll be the sky and other similar metaphors.

2. “Uyire Uyire” by Hariharan, and Srinivas

Song Year: 1998

Bombay is another hit film with several Tamil songs that are worth mentioning. Of all the songs, “Uyire Uyire” might be the most well-known. The movie is about an interreligious family finding a way to cope with the Bombay riots of the 1990s.

The song features powerful lyrics about how a man is forced to make his wife convert to his religion despite not wanting to.

This Tamil song ties the movie together and has made a lasting impact on everyone who listens to the song or watches the film.

3. “Kadhal Sadugudu” by S.P.B. Charan

Song Year: 2000

In the movie “Alaipayuthey,” a male lead sings a lively song, “Kadhal Sadugudu,” displaying his desire to be near the person he loves. The song encapsulates the emotions one experiences near one loved one and shares a relatable message for those who have yearned for someone.

 “Alaipayuthey” is an enduring and romantic film that has maintained popularity despite being released over two decades ago. The movie's several songs encapsulate the central plot, where the male protagonist becomes embroiled in a feud with the father of his beloved.

4. “Janani Janani” by Ilaiyaraaja

Song Year: 1982

If you want to listen to a Tamil song that's a real tear-jerker, you need to listen to “Janani Janani.” Even though the movie it was made for wasn't as big of a hit as other movies, the song remains one of the best Tamil songs available.

The lyrics are all about worshiping Shiva. It's a song about devotion, and anyone who has ever felt a strong passion of any sort will be able to resonate with the emotions pouring out of this song. If you want to learn a Tamil song, the lyrics are repetitive and relatively easy to understand.

5. “Mukkala Mukkabula” by Mano, and Swarnalatha

Song Year: 1994

Unlike all the other Tamil songs we've mentioned so far, “Mukkala Mukkabula” is sung by a male and female lead with a strong chorus at certain parts. The song symbolizes how different the two singers are but how they work so well together as partners and friends.

From the beginning of the song, it has a strong beat that immediately makes you want to clap your hands and dance.

Watching the movie or at least the music video while listening to the song helps tell the story better than just reading the lyrics.

6. “Oh La La La” by K. S. Chithra, Unni Menon, and Srinivas

Song Year: 1996

“Oh La La La” comes from the film Minasara Kanavu, and it's an interesting one, to say the least. The concept of the movie is that the main female lead wants to become a nun even though her father and the man who loves her disapprove.

This leads to many of the songs in the movie, including “Oh La La La,” to be about making her understand how much she means to the guy that loves her. The lyrics are all about how much he loves her and how he doesn't ever want her to go away, aka go away and be a nun.

7. “Unna Nenachu” by Ilaiyaraaja, and Sid Sriram

Song Year: 2020

“Unna Nenachu” is another romantic Tamil song from the movie Psycho. This sign is so interesting compared to the others on our list because it's not from a dramatic or romantic film. Psycho is a thriller and a little scary, depending on who you ask.

Even still, the song is somewhat romantic, depending on how you look at it. Some people think it's a romantic song about someone longing to have someone in their life that they love, while others think it's creepy about the killer stalking their next victim. Watching the movie will give you a better idea of the song.

8. “Chinna Chinna Aasai” by A. R. Rahman, and Minmini

Song Year: 1992

“Chinna Chinna Aasai” translates to “small, small desires.” The song is uplifting and fun to listen to. The lyrics help capture the innocence and best things about childhood, like all the simple things children want.

Other themes from this song include hope, optimism, and joy. The performance is moving and really captures all these emotions well.

9. “Innum Konja Neram” by Shweta Mohan, and Vijay Prakash

Song Year: 2013

If you've ever been in love but couldn't be with the person you love because of distance and other circumstances, then “Innum Konja Neram” is the Tamil song you need to listen to. The whole concept of the song is about being separated from your love.

The song is sad and more of a ballad. Even though it has a sad message, it's still romantic and has a lot of depth to it.

10. “Yenga Pona Raasa” by A. R. Rahman, and Shakthisree Gopalan

Song Year: 2014

This Tamil song isn't the upbeat and fun song that you usually get. “Yenga Pona Raasa” translates to “my lost lover,” and the song is more of a sad, romantic ballad. If you were to ask people familiar with Tamil music, they'd probably tell you this song is A.R. Rahman's best work.

The song is emotional, and if you watch someone perform it, you will likely end up in tears even without knowing what the lyrics are saying.