POV- Why I miss the 90s Hindi Indie pop!

On World Music Day, let's revisit the magic of 90s Indie pop music where songs were rich in melody, lyrics had depth, and visuals carried beautiful storylines!

If you are a 90s kid you must have often found yourself guilty of bringing up the decade time again in your day-to-day conversations and fairly so. The decade was eventful in so many ways, as it brought a paradigm shift in our socio-cultural orders. There are so many things we hold dear to our heart from the period, right from the rise of our favorite actors, the fiery cricket tournaments, the uber cool shows to the Channel V/ MTV video jockeys we had massive crushes on - 90s served it all with a lot of style, class, and innocence! However, one thing I miss the most about the decade is its music, especially the ever-charming indie-pop genre. Maybe it was the soulful tunes, the heartfelt lyrics, the vibrant videos, or pure nostalgia, the music back then had carried some magic that is missing from current times. 

The 90s witnessed the rise of non-film music that offered a breath of fresh air in the Hindi music scene that was dominated by Bollywood soundtracks. The beautiful ballads, peppy dance numbers, or even the stylish remixes of Hindi retro songs often offered the right fusion of Indian melody with 'videshi tadka', in a way capturing the post-liberalization expressions of the youth of the country!

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Another factor that made it so special was how it allowed the artist to be completely themselves as they often wrote and performed their songs and enjoyed the liberty of experimenting with sounds, themes, and lyrical styles without being bound by cinematic narratives. Think of Bombay Vikings, Euphoria, Alisha Chinoy, Lucky Ali, Euphoria, Aryan, Falguni Pathak, and many more. Their music felt more authentic as it brought their raw refreshing energy.

The internet era has been of great benefit for both artists and audiences and I’ve been introduced to great music because of it however somewhere down the line my heart longs for the comfort of those soulful melodies and lyrics that give expression to my feelings I wouldn’t be able to articulate or the familiar peppy tunes I’d love to vibe to when I need a little bit of cheering. The lyrics in 90s indie pop often explored themes of love, friendship, heartbreak, patriotism, and everyday life in a way that resonated deeply with the youth of the time.

Songs like 'Tahna Dil' (Shaan) spoke of longing for companionship in the uncertain journey of life, KK’s ‘Yaaron’ became a friendship anthem and is sung during farewell parties to date. Suneeta Rao’s Pari Hoon Main taught me self-love long before it became a thing. The songs prioritized strong melodies that were catchy yet enduring and were designed to be sung along to. They stuck with listeners long after their release.

Everybody loves stories and at a time now when even big-budget movies are lacking one, I can proudly say (With the risk of sounding like a boomer) back in our times, even songs had stories! These music videos were mini-movies in themselves, adding another layer of engagement to the songs, making the overall experience even more immersive. Falguni Pathak’s Maine Payal Hai Chhankai and Yaadi Piya Ki captured the innocence and anticipation of teenage love. Kabhi Aana Tu Meri Gali by Euphoria spoke of themes of homecoming, remembering one’s roots, and the enduring power of love and belonging. 

I strongly feel, compared to today's music, which is largely driven by viral trends and short attention spans, 90s indie pop was less overtly commercial and more of a celebration of an artist's craft. The focus was on creating good music, and not just a catchy hook for social media. Artists like Lucky Ali, Shewta Shetty, Daler Mehndi or even Shaan, KK and Sonu Nigam who went on to scale new heights in playback singing became a household name in that era owing to their sincerely crafted music.

The genre, however witnessed a sharp decline in the early 2000s owing to the overwhelming dominance of Bollywood music, increased piracy, and a shift in record label investments. Many talented indie artists transitioned to playback singing in films, further diminishing the independent scene. This created a void that, in my opinion, hasn't been filled in a long time. 

We discussed the melodies, the lyrics, and storytelling, but for many like myself the 90s represent the simplicity and slow pace of the time before the pervasive influence of the internet and social media took over. A time when discovering new music required us to buy cassettes or CDs and we had to wait tirelessly for our favorite songs to play on TV or radio, things GenZ and GenAlpha would even find hard to fathom today. Also, the nostalgia of seeing my favorite actors, models, and singers in their salad days adds to the fascination of watching those songs now. Indie pop of the 90s indeed played a crucial part in shaping the tastes and memories of my generation, serving as a bridge now that instantly transports me to non-complicated simpler times!

Which were some of your favorite songs from the decade? Tell us in the comments below!

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