Maharashtra, February 14: Indian cinema has long been celebrated for its timeless love songs, and the 1990s remain a golden era for romantic melodies that continue to resonate with listeners today.

Despite modern music’s faster beats and digital production, the 90s songs felt personal and poetic, turning cinematic love stories into evergreen musical memories. On Valentine’s Day, singers Kavita Krishnamurti, Hariharan, Anuradha Paudwal, Lalit Pandit, and Shaan revisited this era, highlighting its enduring charm.

Kavita Krishnamurti, known for hits like Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan, said, “Music played a crucial role in films back then. Every emotion—love, tragedy, or joy—was conveyed through melody, which made the songs timeless.” She noted that actors’ performances and contributions from legendary composers like Laxmikant-Pyarelal and RD Burman added depth to these musical stories.

Hariharan described 90s songs as “born out of a dream,” emphasizing that melodies were given time to breathe and evolve naturally. “It wasn’t manufactured; it was slow-cooked. That’s why these songs feel like a fragrance that stays with you,” he said, contrasting the era with today’s technical, fast-paced compositions.

Lalit Pandit, of the Jatin-Lalit duo, called love songs the “strength of 90s music,” citing Pehla Nasha as the epitome of romantic timelessness. He warned that while AI can replicate voices, it cannot capture the emotions that make a song truly touch the heart.

Shaan added that 90s love songs put “love on a pedestal and worshipped it,” while today’s tracks, though intense, often lack the poetic charm and aspirational emotion of the era.

As Valentine’s Day celebrations unfold, these reflections remind us that true romance in music isn’t about trends—it’s about enduring emotion. The 90s stand as a testament to a time when melody was the hero, and love was elevated to art, with songs that continue to live in hearts decades later.