"Kilimanjaro" is a

Tamil Tamil may refer to: * Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia **Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils **Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia * Tamil language, nativ ...

song from the 2010 film ''

Enthiran ''Enthiran'' () is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language science fiction action film written and directed by S. Shankar. It is the first instalment in the ''Enthiran'' franchise. The film stars Rajinikanth and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan with Danny ...

'', directed by

S. Shankar Shankar Shanmugam (born 17 August 1963), credited as S. Shankar or his mononym Shankar, is an Indian filmmaker who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. He is one of the most prolific and highest paid film directors in India. His films typicall ...

. The song was composed by

A. R. Rahman Allah Rakha Rahman (; born A. S. Dileep Kumar; 6 January 1967) is an Indian music composer, record producer, singer and songwriter, popular for his works in Indian cinema; predominantly in Tamil and Hindi films, with occasional forays in int ...

, lyrics penned by Pa.Vijay and sung by

Javed Ali Javed Ali is an Indian playback singer who predominantly sings in Hindi. He has also sung in various Indian languages including Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Gujarati, Marathi, Odia, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. Early life Javed Ali was born Javed H ...

and Chinmayi. The Hindi and Telugu version of the song has lyrics respectively written by

Swanand Kirkire Swanand Kirkire ( Marathi: स्वानंद किरकिरे) (born 29 April 1972) is an Indian lyricist, playback singer, writer, assistant director, actor and dialogue writer, both in television with Marathi and Hindi films. Kirkire ...

and Bhuvana Chandra. The song, based on the raga Karaharapriya, is reputed for its use of tribal beats with a catchy chorus and with various musical experiments. Song shooting took place in Machu Picchu in

Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = National seal , national_motto = "Firm and Happy f ...

. The song was released in Hindi and Telugu under the same name.

Music structure and lyrics

The song has been composed on raga Karaharapriya. The song features African tribal percussions created by multiple Octapads and vocals, which well suits the song situation. It is sung by noted duo Javed Ali and Chinmayi in all three versions. Singer Chinmayi, who worked with the trio (Rahman, Sankar and Rajinikanth) in the song "Sahana", said it was "a Dream Come True" to sing again for Rajinikanth. The additional vocal arrangements of the song is done by

Clinton Cerejo Clinton Cerejo is an Indian singer, music composer and musician. Life Clinton Cerejo was born into an academically inclined family with no known musical background. His father was an engineer at L&T and mother is a French professor. His elde ...

. The original title of the song is retained in all three versions. The words "Kilimanjaro", "Mohenjo-Daro" etc., originally included by Pa. Vijay, appears in all the versions.

Release and reception

The song was released as part of the soundtrack album of the film on 31 July 2010. The song topped the country charts, holding the #1 position for many continuous weeks. It topped Tamil film music charts for over five months. The audio along with the entire soundtrack, broke several records in the Indian music industry, testified by its chart positions and digital downloads. It is often praised to be having the "usual Rahman touch".

Music video

The song is picturised on Rajinikanth and

Aishwarya Rai Aishwarya Rai Bachchan ( Rai; born 1 November 1973) is an Indian actress who is primarily known for her work in Hindi and Tamil films. The winner of the Miss World 1994 pageant, she has established herself as one of the most popular celebriti ...

singing a duet with a host of tribal dancers in the background and prompts laughter and humour due to the funny costumes and cinematography of the song. The song sequence was filmed at Machu Picchu in

Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = National seal , national_motto = "Firm and Happy f ...

, making it the first Indian video to be picturised on the protected heritage site. According to official sources, there were interventions from the Indian government to grant permission for the shooting, which was denied even for many international projects like '' Quantum of Solace''. It was choreographed by

Raju Sundaram Basuva Raju Sundaram is an Indian dance choreographer, actor and director, who works primarily in Tamil, Kannada and Telugu films. He appeared as an actor in films such as but not limited to: '' Jeans'' (1998), '' 123'' (2002), '' I Love Yo ...

, brother of

Prabhudeva Prabhu Deva (born 3 April 1973) is an Indian dance choreographer, film director, producer and actor who has worked predominantly in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada language films. In a career spanning 32 years, he has performed and designed ...

, who choreographed many other songs in the film. It was the most expensive Indian music video up until then, costing (), equivalent to () adjusted for inflation.

Other versions

The film is parodied in the film ''

Oru Kal Oru Kannadi ''Oru Kal Oru Kannadi'' () abbreviated as ''OKOK'' is a 2012 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by M. Rajesh. It stars producer Udhayanidhi Stalin, in his acting debut, Hansika Motwani, Santhanam and Saranya Pon ...

'' (2012) in the song "Kaadhal Oru" with

Udhayanidhi Stalin Udhayanidhi Stalin (born 27 November 1977) is an Indian film producer, actor, and politician who prominently works in the Tamil cinema. He is the Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development of Tamil Nadu in the ministry led by his father, ...

and Hansika Motwani. In the Telugu film ''

Nuvva Nena ''Nuvva Nena'' () is a 2012 Telugu-language romantic comedy film directed by debutante P. Narayana and produced by Vamsi Krishna under SVK Cinema banner. The film stars Shriya Saran, Allari Naresh, Sharvanand, and Vimala Raman in lead roles wi ...

'', the song is parodied with Brahmanandam and Kovai Sarala.

Awards and nominations

Won

* 2010: Mirchi Music Award for Best Female Playback Singer - Tamil - Chinmayi * 2010: CSK Academy Of Motion Picture Arts & Science Award for Best Female Playback Singer - Chinmayi * 2010: MGR Sivaji Academy Award for Best Female Playback Singer - Chinmayi * 2010: Vijay Music Award for Popular Female Playback Singer - Chinmayi * 2010: Vijay Music Award for Popular Song of the year
* 2010:

Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback The Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer is given by the state government as part of its annual Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Tamil (Kollywood) films. The list Here is a list of the award winners and the films for wh ...

- Chinmayi

Nominations

* 2010: Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil - Chinmayi * 2010:

Vijay Award for Best Female Playback Singer The Vijay for Best Female Playback Singer is given by STAR Vijay as part of its annual Vijay Awards ceremony for Tamil ( Kollywood) films. The award was first given in 2007. The list Here is a list of the award winners and the films for which t ...

- Chinmayi

References

External links

{{authority control 2010 songs Indian songs Songs about Africa Songs about mountains Songs with music by A. R. Rahman Tamil-language songs Tamil film songs Songs written for films Enthiran