‘Love makes the world go round’ is the starting line for more than 10 smash musical hit songs in Hollywood. Indian cinema values love to such an extent that the first Indian talkie, Alam Ara (meaning -The ornament of the World), is a love story.

In its entire 80 year journey, Indian cinema has enthralled viewers with wonderful musical hits. Music and lyrics have always been the best way to convey deepest and sweetest feelings. Though there are a number of recent songs on romance, there is a special ‘magic’ in old romantic hit songs.

Evergreen young hero – Dev Anand has professed “Tere mera pyar amar” (Our love is immortal) to Sadhana in Asli Nakli, has searched for Nutan, singing “Tu kahaan yeh bata” (Please tell me where are u?) in Tere Ghar Ke Samne, has pleaded with the Moon as “Dhire dhire chal chand gaganmey” (Oh moon, please move slowly)” to be with Mala Sinha in Love Marriage. Whenever we hear such beautiful melodies sung by Mohammed Rafi for Dev Anand, we are enthralled even today.

Legendary Mohammad Rafi is known as the “voice” of Shammi Kapoor and the duo have given rich eclectic romantic songs like “Deewana hua baadal” (The weather has gone crazy) – from Kashmir Ki Kali, “Yun to hamne lakh haseen dekhe hain tumsa nahin dekha” (I have seen umpteen beauties but none like of you) – from Tumsa Nahin Dekha, “Ehsaan tera hoga mujh par” (Grant me a favour) – from Junglee.

The famous song of “Pyar hua ikraar hua” (We are in love and have accepted it) – From the movie Shri 420 with Raj Kapoor and Nargis is considered a classic, an epitome of love. Both of them immortalized the song with their wonderful chemistry. Raj Kapoor is famous of being a die-hard romantic and gave such bewitching songs like “Aaja sanam madhur chandni mein hum” (Come dear, in the soft moonlight) – from Chori Chori, “Har dil jo pyaar karega” – (Every heart that loves) – from Sangam.

Rajesh Khanna attained his romantic superstar status with “Mere sapno ki rani kab aayegi tu” (Queen of my dreams, When will you be coming?) – from Aaradhana.  He went on to capture millions of hearts with the help of various songs like – “Oh mere dil ke chain” (Oh, peace of my heart) – from Mere Jeevan Saathi, “Pyaar deewana hota hai” (Love is crazy) – from Kati Patang.

Though famous for his rhythmic fast songs, Kishoreda has carved his own place as a romantic singer with songs like “Chehra hai ya chand khila hai” (Is this a face or the picture of a brilliant moon?) – from Saagar, which attained a cult status, “Ek ladki bheeghi bhaaghi si” (A lady who is drenched and looks like she has run away) – From Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi enacted by Kishoreda himself.

Apart from the above there are many popular old songs which prove that romance never dies and lives forever. The credit for such creations will definitely go to gifted singers like Mohammad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Kishore Kumar, Mannadey, Mukesh, all the lyricists, actors, music directors and others. They deserve a lot of appreciation for keeping ‘romance’ alive.