It does not matter if you live in Mumbai or Udaipur, chances are you have found yourselves shaking a leg to Naatu Naatu – at least, trying your hardest to – or humming Kaavaalaa under your breath if played anywhere. And these songs were everywhere! They were also some of the most requested songs on Alexa from January 2023 and January 2024, according to a report released by the company. Here’s a look at the most popular regional songs requested on Alexa:
Naatu Naatu (Telugu)
The songs from SS Rajamouli’s blockbuster RRR (2022) created history when it became the first song from an Indian film to win the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and the second Indian film song to win Academy Award for Best Original Song after AR Rahman’s Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire (2009), as well as the first song from an Asian film to win the former. The foot-tapping track composed by MM Keeravaani was also released in Hindi as Naacho Naacho.
Khalasi, Coke Studio Bharat (Gujarati)
Composed by Achint Thakkar with vocals by Aditya Gadhvi, the Gujarati song went viral when it was released in July last year. The song recounts the tale of a brave sailor who has set out to explore the shores of Gujarat. The Navratri season in India saw a surge in its popularity with many influencers dancing to the song and reels going viral. Gadhvi is a reality-show winner and has also composed Aava De, the anthem for the IPL Team Gujarat Titans. Thakkar became popular after he composed the theme song and tracks for web shows like Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story and Scoop as well as his compositions for Vasan Bala's Monica O My Darling.
Kaavaalaa (Tamil)
The first single from superstar Rajinikanth’s Jailer (2023) hit all the right notes with music composed by Anirudh Ravichander and vocals by the inimitable Shilpa Rao. On top of that, Tamannah Bhatia’s moves and Rajinikanth shaking a leg with her also set the ball rolling for one of the most popular regional songs of last year.
Ranjithame (Tamil)
A high-on-energy with powerful vocals of Thalapathy Vijay and Manasi MM, Ranjithame was the first single released for the Tamil film Varisu starring Vijay and Rashmika Mandana. Composed by S Thaman, the song has been shot on an elaborate set and set to the catchy tune of folk beats.
Tum Tum (Tamil)
No wedding ceremony was complete last year without this melodious number being danced to by the bridesmaids. Composed by S Thaman and sung by Sri Vardhini, Aditi, Satya Yamini, Roshni and Tejaswini, the Tamil song from 2021’s action-thriller film Enemy, the wedding song is picturised on Vishal and Mirnalini Ravi.
Saami Saami (Telugu)
It has been two years to the film Pushpa – The Rise, but the song picturised on national crush Rashmika Mandana is still as fresh as it was released back then. Mounika Yadav’s vocals, music by Devi Sri Prasad and the popular hook step made this song a viral sensation. Even Ranbir Kapoor could not help breaking into a little jig on the song during the promotions of his and Mandana’s film Animal (2023).
Oo Antava Oo Oo Antava (Telugu)
Even before the film Pushpa - The Rise released in 2022, the teaser of this song had caught everyone’s attention for its catchy beats and for Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s sizzling dance. Composed by Devi Sri Prasad and sung by Indravathi Chauhan, the dance track from the Allu Arjun-Rashmika Mandana starrer got everyone grooving to its tunes.
Srivalli (Telugu)
Pushpa - The Rise had more than one good song in its repertoire, with Srivalli sung by Sid Sriram standing out for its melodious and romantic nature. Srivalli is also the name of Rashmika Mandana’s character in the film with Allu Arjun’s character confessing his feelings for her in the song. The feel-good song’s soothing melody and Sriram’s voice add the right mush and depth to the track.
Naa Ready (Tamil)
The makers of Thalapathy Vijay released the song Naa Ready from his Tamil film Leo (2023) on the actor’s birthday and there could not have been a better gift for his fans. The peppy track with music by Anirudh Ravichander and vocals by Vijay, Anirudh and Asal Kolaar sees Vijay dancing his heart out with a number of background dancers and even antagonist Sanjay Dutt making an appearance.
Butta Bomma (Telugu)
Allu Arjun and Pooja Hegde’s chemistry and choreographer Jani Master’s unique dance moves set the ball rolling for this song sung by Armaan Malik and composed by S Thaman for the 2020 Tamil film Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo. The Kannada and Malayalam versions of the song also gained popularity among music listeners.
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