1990: ‘Chennai’ – Old, dull city. Faded tin-like PTC buses plying across dusty roads, passengers hanging out from all doors and windows too, much like grapes spilling out of a basket! Dark-skinned auto-drivers harassing their ‘savaari’ (passenger) for extra money.
Marriage was ‘arranged’ by matching horoscopes and families. And Love signified something forbidden. Passion, lust and seduction – three words used interchangeable, but sadly, all meant something borne out of duty to one’s spouse, or for someone else’s!
Seduction took many forms. Some were naive and delightful, like this:
And marriage meant a mature (beautiful, nevertheless) relationship between two equally serious adults.
Now this song is really old, but still amazes me! http://shankari.wordpress.com/, for putting this on FB 🙂
And one cannot forget this ‘then trendy’ song… (if you can stop laughing at the sensational 🙄 dance moves, that is!)
1992: For a community of people used to Hero Bhagyaraj’s hilarious flirting techniques…
… Perceptions of Love and Lust changed… with the arrival of suave fellow-south-Indian Arvind Swamy!
Suddenly, marriage changed from being a life-threatening-sober-event to something more fun and sexy.
And this innocent young girl’s idea of fun being frolicking about under waterfalls….
took the nation by storm!
Subsequently, ofcourse, we know how Bombay re-defined war, religion and passion among other things.
And suddenly, love was not ‘taboo’ or ‘gross’ any longer!!
This song, from Kalaignan, was as sensational (despite the heroine’s hair-do) as it was melodious. (Thanks, Vimmu & Scorpia, for reminding me).
Over these years, we had a deluge of ‘young’ movies, starring fresh and happy faces. ‘College life’ changed from ‘girls wearing dhavani and oily pig-tails’ to what-was-then-hep outfits 🙂 and Life also meant Fun 🙂
2000: And finally, while one could celebrate Youth and its associated freedom and carelessness, one also realised that beautiful sensual side to love.
This song from Alaipayuthey in particular was both naughty, and sensual. It showed that ‘marriage’ need not mean an always-behave-serious-relationship-of-two-mature-adults. Marriage could also mean ‘friendship’, ‘fun’ and spontaneity :-)
2001 onwards: Now, strangely, my mind goes blank when asked about songs that tingle the romance buds over the last ten years.
What songs redefined love and lust over the last ten years? Do fill in!
And on that happy note, hope you have a very good weekend, filled with sunshine, laughter and romance 😉
EDITED TO ADD:
Current faavvvvvvvvvvouurriiiiiiiiiiitttttttteeeeeeeeee:
Writer-z-block 