Nostalgic Harmony: Bollywood Music Of The 90s – The Most Melodious Era

Ever wondered why when you take public transport or a walk, you almost always find someone playing a song from the 90s or why so many contemporary composers are rehashing and remixing songs from the 90s (albeit without due credit to the original composers)?

Bollywood music has always held a special place in the hearts of millions around the world. While each decade has had its own unique musical identity, the 1990s stands out as a golden era, often referred to as the most melodious period in the history of Indian cinema. The combination of talented composers, soul-stirring lyrics, and unforgettable melodies gave rise to a musical landscape that continues to captivate audiences even decades later. Ever wondered why it is so? In this article, we delve into the reasons why the 90s remains a cherished chapter in the world of Bollywood music.

1. Lyrically Enriched Melodies: The 90s was a time when lyrics held deep meaning and emotional depth. The songs showcased the poetic brilliance of lyricists like Gulzar, Javed Akhtar, Sameer Anjaan, Anand Bakshi, and many more. These lyrical compositions resonated with the audience on a profound level, making them timeless classics.
2. Innovation in Sound and Technology: The 90s witnessed a gradual transition from analog to digital technology. Composers began experimenting with new sounds, instruments, and arrangements, creating a fresh auditory experience. A. R. Rahman’s introduction of electronic elements in “Humma Humma” (Bombay) and the fusion of traditional Indian and modern Western music in “Dil Se Re” (Dil Se) exemplified this innovative approach, elevating the musicality to new heights. On the other hand, Jatin Lalit were also experimenting with music arrangement and sound mixing. Their arrangement included extensive use of the brass section, a prominent strings arrangement going in reverse, guitar licks, flute, strumming of the banjo, and an elaborate orchestra reminiscent of the magic of R D Burman and Laxmikant Pyarelal from the 70s and 80s. Every composer had a distinct style of music arrangement – be it Anand Milind’s use of guitar and dhapli, or Nadeem Shravan’s reliance on string instruments, e.g. Guitar and Violin. All the composers relied heavily on traditional orchestration, utilizing a wide range of acoustic instruments such as strings (Sitar, Santoor, Guitar, violins, cellos), woodwinds (flutes, clarinets), brass (trumpets, trombones), and percussion (drums, tabla, Mridang, dhapli). This orchestration added depth and warmth to their arrangements. Traditional instruments were a part of every composer’s music including Viju Shah, who is credited for introducing elements of electronic music, techno, and pop into his compositions, creating a contemporary sound that appealed to a younger generation.
3. Iconic Playback Singers: The era of the 90s boasted a roster of iconic playback singers who added a layer of magic to the songs. Luminaries like Anuradha Paudwal, Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik, Udit Narayan, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Sonu Nigam, S. P. Balasubramaniam, Abhijeet Bhattacharya, Sadhana Sargam, Jagjit Singh lent their melodious voices along with evergreen legends Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle, making every song an unforgettable experience. Their vocal versatility and emotive renditions contributed significantly to the era’s timeless appeal.
4. Minimal Technological Manipulation: Unlike today’s auto-tuning and heavy post-production, the 90s music relied more on raw, genuine performances. The only improvisation that the technology allowed over the 80s was the availability of recording with more tracks beyond two for stereo leading to more clarity for the orchestration and vocals. This authenticity resonated with listeners, evoking genuine emotions and forging a stronger connection between the song and its audience.
5. Rich Diversity of Composers: This is probably the single biggest reason for the prominence of 90s music. The 90s witnessed a harmonious blend of both established and emerging music composers. Not just because musical legends like A. R. Rahman, Nadeem-Shravan, Jatin-Lalit, and Anu Malik, among others, contributed to the era’s musical brilliance, but the decade also boasts the largest number of composers in a single decade. We can list at least 37 composers who had at least one hit album in the decade and there were obviously many more. No other decade in the history of Indian cinema can match that in terms of quantity.

The biggest share of the cake went to Jatin Lalit, Nadeem Shravan, Anu Mallick, A. R. Rehman, and Anand Milind who ruled the roost. But legends from the 70s and 80s also continued to churn hit numbers/ albums – While R. D. Burman had 1942 a love story & Gardish, Laxmikant Pyarelal had Khalnayak & Khuda Gawah,  Kalyanji Anandji had Pratigyabadh, Bappi Lahiri had Hum Sab Chor Hain & Dalaal, Rajesh Roshan had  Karan Arjun, Koyla, Daddy, Papa Kehte Hain, Ravindra Jain had a Henna and Shiv Hari had Lamhe, Parampara & Darr to their credits, just to name a few.

But these were not the only prominent names, the list of achievers among Bollywood music composers from the 90s is a long one. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Viju Shah, Aadesh Srivastava, M M Kreem, Anand Raj Anand, Uttam Singh, Raam-Laxman, Shyam-Surender, Nikhil-Vinay, Amar-Utpal, Sanjeev-Darshan, Arun Paudwal, Dilip Sen-Sameer Sen, Vishal Bharadwaj, Sandesh Shandilya and Sandeep Chowta. And then there were those that had sleeper hits or had a loyal audience – Bhupen Hazarika, Zakeer Hussain, Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Channi Singh, Babul Bose, and Basu Chatterjee among others.

If you are wondering who some of these names are and why they exist in the list here, you will be surprised to learn that each of them had at least one popular song or album that you have probably heard but are unaware of the composer. If we tried to list all their hits, it may take another article or more. To add to the list, some of the composers that ruled the 2000s and beyond had also arrived – Shankar Ehsan Loy, Himesh Reshammiya, and Sajid Wajid. The list goes on as we are not including the non-film composers that ruled the Pop & MTV world which gained prominence in that decade. This rich diversity allowed for a wide range of musical styles, ensuring that each song had a unique flavor and emotional resonance.

The 1990s remain an unparalleled era in Bollywood music, celebrated for its timeless melodies, evocative lyrics, and the sheer passion that went into its creation. This period gave rise to a musical legacy that continues to influence contemporary compositions and retains an unwavering hold on the hearts of music lovers worldwide. The harmonious confluence of talented composers, gifted lyricists, iconic playback singers, and a genuine commitment to artistic expression converged to create a melodious symphony that has become a cherished hallmark of the 90s Bollywood music.