ARR's career graph has been interesting. I think it's safe to say that his path has been a very progressive one due to his penchant for experimentation and going down new roads. This is what has made ARR's music so relevant even today. How would you categorize different time periods of ARR's musical career? Well, here's an attempt by me. Others may have different categorizations based on different time intervals:
Pre 1992 - Jingle Composer/Bands, getting better and better..... 1992-1994 - Tamil film industry breakthrough with Roja, early experimentation with smash success! 1994-1997 - Hindi breakthrough with Roja, rapid success and recognition pan India and further experimentation with amazing results 1997-2002 - ARR's first career peak period highlighted by yet to be surpassed soundtracks both North and South in terms of quality and quantity, plus first global private album in Vande Mataram and first Western breakthrough with Bombay Dreams. A total dream period for any musician! 2002-2005 - A relative lull in ARR's career in terms of commercial success both North and South, although highlighted by some amazing soundtracks, some of ARR's best. 2005-2008 - ARR's commercial success up North takes off again with RDB, spiraling further up with Guru while his Tamil ventures remain mostly steady. 2008-Today - In my opinion, another peak period for ARR commercially, not as strong yet as the 1997-2002 one, but the peak is still continuing.
