Classical Kuthu

Nobody has acheived the almost perfect marriage of the classical with the "local" like Ilaiyaraaja has. I have 4 songs in mind which are as timeless as a typical IR song and at the same time induce an involuntary urge in the listener to get up [even if in deep sleep] and dance, or at least dance mentally, if you will.
Needless to say, the list is not exhaustive.

1) Ada Maapillai [Siva]: Rendered by the one and only SPB and set to kApi rAga, this is one hell of a "local" song, though not fully kuthu, devotedly following the course of the rAga it is based upon.
This song engages the listener right from the second SPB goes "indha ooril, pala pera paathuputeen.....". Watch out for the first interlude which flows like a river [like most of IR's songs]. This song is characterized by minimalistic but essential use of instruments, percussion or otherwise, a factor which distinguishes IR from other MDs. This song is also special to me because it is sung by "SPB" Balaji, a member of the Ilaiyaaraja Yahoo Group fan club [see "Links" sidebar] in every one of our meetings, complete with chorus and the interludes done vocally by Balaji!

2) Thanni Thotti [Sindhu Bhairavi]: A quintessential song in every 'drunk-listener' list. I mean, when i'm drinking, what better line to hear than "Saarayatha oothu, ada jennala thaan saathu!"? *
Another kApi gem. Depending on your mindset, this can be comic or tragic, when watched. To me, Sivakumar has always been a very good comedy actor. And i really mean it as a compliment. Seriously.

3) Oora vittu ooru vandhu [Karagattakkaaran]: IR-Malaysia Vasudevan combo is a very successful one. You can't think of many "happy" songs or non-devotional songs in shaNmugappriyA in TFM. This is one of them. Women might like the song just a wee bit more [watching the song] than men because of their favorite Ramarajan dancing in it

4) Kaadhal Kasakkudhayya [Some Pandiarajan *er]: Very similar to the aforementioned. All the points, including the point about women liking it more

P.S: All these fundas about rAgas might give an impression that this writer has sound knowledge on rAgas and all. If you can't see through that, so be it :)

* - I know, there is "Sorgam Madhuvile", but that's out of scope as far as this post is concerned.