Because love is almost always about music-filled sleepless nights, here’s a selection of songs – from across languages – that would sing to the hopeless romantic. ‘Pehla Nasha’ (Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar), which seems to be Aamir Khan’s favourite, is a good one to begin with.
Hey guys, listening to my song Pehla Nasha on Valentine’s Day! Ideal song for this day :-). And, I must say it's one of my own favourites. Wishing all of you a happy Valentine’s Day!
Love.
a.— Aamir Khan (@aamir_khan) February 14, 2018
Other songs:
‘Oru Kadhal Devathai’ (Idhaya Thamarai)
A rare Shankar Ganesh melody, this song is from the 1990 movie Idhaya Thamarai. Beautifully visualised, it features the best onscreen couple of the time, Karthik and Revathy. This song makes you believe in their love.
‘Thaalattudhe Vaanam’ (Kadal Meengal)
This lazy, almost dreamy melody was composed by Ilaiyaraaja for the 1981 movie Kadal Meengal. S Janaki and Jayachandran breathe life into Panju Arunachalam’s lyrics:
“தாலாட்டுதே வானம்
தள்ளாடுதே மேகம்
தாளாமல்… மடி மீது
தார்மீக கல்யாணம்
இது கார்கால சங்கீதம்…”
‘Poonkathave…’ (Nizhalgal)
Yet another Ilaiyaraaja classic, this time with lyrics by brother Gangai Amaran, this song was for the film Nizhalgal. In the voices of Deepan Chakravarthy and Uma Ramanan.
‘Pairon Mein Bandhan Hai’ (Mohabbatein)
This number helps bring back memories of a bygone era. With music by Jatin-Lalit, and lyrics written by Anand Bakshi.
‘Frank Ocean’ (Forrest Gump)
A song for all the ‘invisible’ lovers in a country that is largely uncomfortable with expressing love.
‘Azhage Sugama’ (Parthaale Paravasam)
The lyrics of the song, as well as the composition, have shades of grief and longing. Sometimes, when the euphoria of love is lost, all that remains is gloomy emptiness. With lyrics by Vairamuthu and music by AR Rahman.
‘Ennai Thaalata Varuvalo’ (Kadhalukku Mariyadhai)
A song that was popular all through the late 90s and 2000s and still is, Vijay and Shalini engage in some forbidden romance in this one. Hariharan and Pavatharani sing this duet composed by Ilaiyaraaja.
‘Thendral Vanthu’ (Avatharam)
A colourful melody, this song is a gem from Ilaiyaraaja’s bag. It features a blind Revathi listening to Nasser’s romantic verse.
‘Nee Kavithaigala’ (Maragadha Naanayam)
In ‘Nee Kavithaigala’, a modern tale of love is written through the lyrics of GKB. Dhibu Ninan Thomas composes music.
‘Theruvukal Nee’ (Njan Steve Lopez)
This song from Njan Steve Lopez is all about a romance that is about to end on a tragic note. Lyrics by Anwar Ali speak of hope and longing. Shahbaz Aman composes music.
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