The 90’s kids grew up to a smattering of good old Bollywood songs, Indi pop bands and the latest fad back then was the remixed versions of old songs with the advent of Deejays and the clubbing culture throughout the country. The 90’s was also a time for independent artists and bands away from the glamour of Bollywood, pulsing out great albums and singles to which the whole generation could be seen swinging to. Not to forget the epic music videos which came out on music channels which still played music at the time nonstop. Let us remember the amazing pop era of the 1990’s which had such an amazing pool of talent and to whose tunes we still sway to. Something which today’s kids have no clue even existed.
Let us begin with the playback singers who not only made it big in singing movie songs but also released stand alone albums of their personal music which was equally popular if not more. Shaan broke into the circuit with the super popular Tanha Dil and created a place in the hearts of millions of music lovers. Sonu Nigam, a name synonymous with several popular film songs, released brilliant albums like Deewana, Jaan, Yaad which had (and still has) a whole generation of girls swooning after him. One cannot possible forget the soulful music of Lucky Ali which took us to another zone altogether which melodies such as Gori teri Aankhein, O Sanam and Kabhi Aisa Lagta Hai. Not to forget his contribution to Hindi cinema with songs like Aa Bhi Jaa ( Sur )and Ek Pal Ka Jeena(Kaho Na Pyaar Hai).
Today, Mohit Chauhan is a well known name what with his amazing songs in Rockstar and Tamasha to name a few, but what today’s kids might not remember is his band Silk Route with the phenomenal song Dooba Dooba Rehta Hoon which is still a cult favourite for the 90’s kids. Who can forget longing for Palash Sen’s new video with his band Euphoria which gave us memorable songs like Dhoom Pichak Dhoom, Maaeri and Aana Meri Gali. The music videos were also a sight for sore eyes weaving a tale of its own.
Then there were artists who gave us singles which will be part of the golden era of music forever. These include Saiyonee by Junoon, Pari Hoon Main by Suneeti Rao, Deewane toh Deewane Hai by Shweta Shetty, Kahin Karta Hoga by Anamika, and the super hit Made in India by Alisha Chinoy.
Another cult classic artist was and has always been is Baba Sehgal. His crazy videos and crazier songs had a huge fan following. His song Aaja Meri Gaadi Mein Baith Jaa is still immensely popular today. Falguni Pathak was another pop queen whose music videos would be the talk of the town and whose songs still rule the hearts of many. These include Maine Payal Hai Chankai, O Piya, Saawan Mein, Yaad Piya Ki Aane Lagi, Pal Pal Teri Yaad and many more such hits.
We were introduced to the classical pop genre by none other than Shubha Mudgal who brought Ab Ke Saawan Aise Barse to life. Everybody knows Asha Bhosle and her song Jaanam Samjha Karo ruled the airwaves for an entire generation.
Daler Mehendi, the king of Punjbai pop sang dance numbers which still rule today like Tunak Tunak Tun, Bolo Tara Ra amongst others. Sukhbir’s Ishq Tera Tadpave and Bally Sagoo’s Gore Naal Ishq is another immensely popular Punjabi track which all the 90s kids will remember dancing to. Neeraj Shridhar with Bombay Vikings was the find of an entire generation with Kya Soorat Hai and Woh Chali being the most played song on many playlists.
A trip down memory lane is incomplete without remembering the Aryans who had a certain Shahid Kapoor in one of their immensely popular videos Aankhon Mein Tera Hi Chehra, one of the most popular hits of the 90’s. College goers will not forget the anthem Purani Jeans by Ali Haider which remains a cult classic even today talking about friends and college life with so much love it resonates even today.
Babul Supriyo’s Sochta Hoon to KK’s Yaaron and Pal, there are hundreds of pop songs which today’s generation is missing. The soulful voices, the beautiful lyrics and the storyline of the music videos, waiting for the cassettes to release to borrowing them from friends-a far cry from digital downloads today which are so easily accessible. Yet these songs found a way in every 90’s teenager’s heart and till date have a very special place in the music industry.
Tera Mera Pyaar by Kumar Sanu, a beautiful single by the very popular playback singer is much loved even today as is Piya Basanti by Ustad Sultan Khan and Chitra Anand. Colonial Cousins were the coolest with Sa Ni Dha Pa as was Stereo Nation with Nachange Saari Raat. Adnan Sami was and still is such a phenomenon belting out hit after hit with Lift Karade, Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Mein and Tera Chehra. His music videos were a huge hit with him roping in all the big stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Govinda and Rani Mukherjee star in them.
Kunal Ganjawala, the bands Viva, Aasma, tracks by Strings, Breathless by Shankar Mahadevan, the list could go on and on. The 90’s were indeed a golden era for pop music in India and it is unfortunate that this trend has failed to continue with today’s generation missing out on the music created by these wonderful artists. Nevertheless the legacy which this decade has left behind in the form of memorable songs will always be cherished.
There is no dearth of good music today with new musicians entering the scene everyday but every new song replaces the older one. These songs from the 90’s are such as they can never be forgotten and even today you will find yourself humming the songs and singing along with the lyrics evoking golden memories of the past, of the happy times and the memories made with these evergreen songs.
