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PM Sings Bollywood: Why Old Hindi Songs Endure
15 Sep
Summary
- Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim sang a 1965 Hindi song during his BRICS visit.
- Young listeners, under 25, form a significant portion of retro song audiences.
- Classic Hindi songs are globally popular, with millions of monthly listeners on platforms.
Great literature withstands the test of time, a quality shared by a special category of Hindi film songs. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently sang the 1965 hit "Khwab ho tum ya koi haqeeqat" during his BRICS visit, underscoring the song's lasting charm.
Penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri and composed by SD Burman, this classic melody, like many from the 1960s and 70s, continues to connect with contemporary life and emotions. Despite the passage of time, these songs remain popular for expressing love, heartbreak, happiness, sadness, and dreams.
Evidence of this enduring appeal is seen in listener demographics, with a 2026 survey indicating 67% of "retro song" listeners are younger than 25. Global streaming numbers for legendary singers like Kishore Kumar (13 million monthly listeners) and Lata Mangeshkar (19 million monthly listeners) further attest to this widespread popularity.
The dynamism of this era, exemplified by composers like C Ramchandra who blended Indian classical music with Western rhythms, created a rich musical legacy. While contemporary music is produced, the magic and poetic quality of golden oldies, delivered by voices like Kishore, Lata, and Rafi, suggest their enduring relevance.
