Is there any significance of old Bollywood songs in today’s world? Can we ever imagine our life without songs like “kabhi kabhi mere dil me khayal aata hai” (kabhi kabhi, 1976) Even in the 21st century and age of metal music, most of our mornings still start with these nostalgic Bollywood songs.
Passing through the streets while going to the office we can easily catch the voices of iconic singers like Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar transpiring through the windows. From FM to different TV channels, everyone still holds on to the magic of the 60s and 70s. “Old is gold” is what we say, whenever we remember grizzled songs. From falling in love to breaking your heart, from struggling with your career choices to feeling strong, these long-loved songs have made every emotion easy.
Romance has always been a song’s favourite leitmotif. Giving your lover a hype and singing lines like “Ude jab jab zulfen teri” (Naya Daur, 1957) and “Yeh chand sa raushan chehra, zulfon ka rang sunehra” (Kashmir ki kali, 1964) will still give us an ‘aww’ vibe. Talking about romance, After all, who doesn’t want to recreate the classical proposal of Rajesh Khanna in the song “Mere sapno ki rani kab aayegi tu” (Aradhana, 1969) for his lady-love. And don’t forget where there is love there is resistance. Whenever romance is suppressed by inequality “Hothon se chhulo tum” (Prem Geet, 1981) will always be at our rescue. We cannot even count how many times this song has been recreated and the kind of love it has received over the years is unmatchable.
“O meri johra jabi” (Waqt, 1965) on the other hand, broke all the stereotypes that love is only reserved for young blood. Seeing your father singing this song for your mother is a delight. As it is said, movies are a reflection of society and vice versa, and so do songs. Some songs inspire us to fall in love unconventionally, “kuch toh log kahenge, logo ka ka he kehna” (Amar Prem, 1972) is what the hero is saying to his heroine when she cries because of society’s taunts. Don’t you agree? We still use this line very often to console our friends too. In the charm of love, coexist the spell of pain.
In case your love fails, don’t worry, songs like “dil ke jharoke mein tujko bithakar” (Brahmachari, 1968) and “Meri bheengi bheengi si”(Anamika, 1973) will make you understand the depth of your feelings. And, if you are still in love, manifest their coming back with “Koi jab tumhara hriday tod de, tab tum mere paas aana priye, mera dar khula hai khula hi rahega tumhare liye”(Purab Aur Pacchim, 1970). As Love is not just about romance, it’s about passion and devotion, sometimes Our songs have become the voice of this devotion.
If there’s one song that represents the voice and emotion of India it’s one and only “Ae mere watan ke logon”(1963) a song that made everyone cry from generation to generation. A song beyond time and boundaries. Retro songs have some magic in them as if they have hypnotized us to be in love with them. That’s why a song from 1964 is still on a loop from republic day to independence day “kar chale hum fida”(Haqeeqat, 1964).
From romance to festivals to patriotism, these songs have made it easy to express. Every song has its journey, but it also carries countless more experiences. This article is dedicated to all the songs that have to bear us through every phase of our life.