WHETHER it is songs about longing, loving, or losing someone, Bollywood has perhaps used music to illustrate all areas of romance the best.
Stunning songs have captured a rainbow or romantic emotions and connected with different generations, since the very early days of Hindi cinema talkies in the 1930s.
To mark Valentine’s Day this week, Eastern Eye decided to put together playlists for whatever stage of love a person happens to be, including that one magic song that captures all the emotions. (There are thousands more great film tracks out there, so make your own playlist and press play).
LONGING: Whether it is waiting to attract that someone special, being apart from the individual you love or imagining yourself with them, there are plenty of songs that capture those emotions and show that you are not alone in feeling that way.
Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Paagal Hai from Saajan (1991): The delightful duet sung wonderfully well by Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik captures that feeling of being in love, but not being able to say how you feel.
Chhupana Bhi Nahi Aata from Baazigar (1993): The song delivered delightfully by Vinod Rathod perfectly illustrates that feeling of not being able to hide how much you adore someone, but also not being able to tell them.
Lag Ja Gale from Woh Kaun Thi? (1964): One of the greatest romantic numbers ever written is sung by Lata Mangeshkar at her very best. The deeply emotional yearning song is about not taking someone for granted, embracing that moment with them, and not letting them go.
Agar Tum Mil Jaao from Zeher (2004): The super hit song sung by Shreya Ghoshal perfectly puts across the sentiment of giving everything to be with the one you love. The heartfelt lyrics have plenty of power that reaches deep inside you.
Kabhi Kabhie title track (1976): The iconic number sung by legendary singer Mukesh is all about feeling something deep down inside your heart and imagining being with that person you love. The song, powered by sublime poetry, is about manifesting a love into reality.
Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki from Dulari (1949): This all-time classic sung by Mohammad Rafi might be more than 70 years old, but it still has plenty of power. Less is more on a song about waiting for someone on a beautiful night.
Mere Samne Wali Khidki Mein from Padosan (1968): This iconic number delivered by Kishore Kumar shows that love doesn’t need to be serious and emotional but can also have a fun element. It’s a song about being in love with a beautiful neighbour, but the metaphor can be universal.
LOVING: Being in love feels great and there are songs that illustrate all aspects of that wonderfully well, at all stages of a relationship, from the honeymoon period to long-term commitment.
Abhi Na Jao Chhodkar from Hum Dono (1961): When you deeply love someone, you want to be with them all the time. This delightful duet delivered by Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhosle is about not wanting that special person to leave because your heart wants more.
Tujhe Dekha To Jana Sanam from Dilwale Dulha nia Le Jayenge (1995): The duet, powered by the unmistakable voices of Kumar Sanu and Lata Mangeshkar, is about being at one with the person you adore and realising what love really means.
Ishq Sufiana from The Dirty Picture (2011): There is a male and female version of this song, sung by Sunidhi Chauhan and Kamal Khan, respectively. It celebrates all aspects of love and compares it to the many beautiful things that exist in this world.
Tum Se Hi from Jab We Met (2007): This song sung by Mohit Chauhan is about the right person giving your life meaning and being inspiring. It is a song anyone who has been deeply in love can relate to.
Tum Hi Ho from Aashiqui 2 (2013): One of the most successful love songs of all time turned singer Arijit Singh into a big star. The song captures that deep connection with ‘the one’ and dedicating your life to them.
Aap Ki Nazron Ne Samjha from Anpadh (1962): The timeless Lata Mangeshkar classic is about feeling loved by someone and giving your heart away. It is about feeling worthy, valued, and adored.
Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaye from Jurm (1990): Kumar Sanu and Sadhna Sargam are in fine form in this meaningful duet about being together through tough times. It is about commitment and standing side by side, no matter what.
LOSS: Heartbreak songs have always been popular because they will understand what someone is going through and capture a pain that can often not be explained. This ranges from trying to forget someone to feeling the deepest pain.
Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum from Silsila (1981): The combination of Amitabh Bachchan reciting poetry and Lata Mangeshkar singing resulted in this song that has become an anthem for heartbroken lovers. It is about imagining what could have been.
Tujhe Bhula Diya from Anjaana Anjaani (2010): Mohit Chauhan, Shekhar Ravjiani and Shruti Pathak team up for a heartbreaking number of wanting to forget someone, but their memories still making you cry.
Tujhe Yaad Na Meri Aayee from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998): The 1998 film was loaded with romantic music like this multi-layered song sung by Alka Yagnik, Manpreet Akhtar and Udit Narayan. Although upbeat, it is about expressing how someone important has forgotten you.
Tadap Tadap from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999): The heartbreak anthem is powered by the emotion filled voice of KK. It is about having your heart crushed and not being able to understand why it has happened.
Channa Mereya from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016): The story of unrequited love had the standout song by Arijit Singh about finally moving on and making that painful decision to walk away from someone you love.
Lambi Judaai from Hero (1983): Legendary folk singer Reshma injected raw emotion into this song about being apart from someone you love, with little hope of being united. It illustrates feelings of hopelessness to perfection.
Dil Ke Armaan Aanshuo Main Beh Gaye from Ni kaah (1982): Salma Agha delivers this emotion-filled number about being badly let down by someone and having your spirit crushed. It is about feeling injustice and then destroying yourself, by being pushed into lowliness. The song remains powerful over 40 years later.
LOVING, LONGING AND LOSS
Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya from Mughale Azam (1960): Perhaps the greatest Bollywood love song of all time perfectly captures all aspects of love. Lata Mangeshkar beautifully brings meaningful lyrics to life in the musically rich song about not being afraid in love. It is perfect if you are deeply in love, trying to convince someone or rebuilding a broken bridge with that someone special.
