An ode to rain

With the monsoon hesitating to come out in full form, what better way to wait for this season than to celebrate a few rain songs that scorched the silver screen and have remained favourites with audiences for decades together. Here’s a list of songs that have been all-time hits:

Chitapata chinukulu padutu unte
This song features legendary actor of Telugu cinema, ANR. He is seen romancing B Saroja Devi to the mesmerising tunes of KV Mahadevan. Probably one of the first rain songs in Telugu cinema, the number from 1964 film ‘Aatma Balam’ was a trendsetter and made way for several rain songs.

Swathi mutyapu jallulo
With real life couple Akkineni Nagarjuna and Amala dancing in the rain, the song spells amazing chemistry. From the 1990 film ‘Prema Yuddam’, this one is one of the most loved rain songs of Telugu cinema. Such is the love for the song composed by Hamsalekha that it was reprised in Allari Naresh’s 2013 film, ‘Action 3D’.

Vana vana velluvaye
Chiranjeevi in a white shirt paired with white trousers and Vijayashanti gyrating in the red saree is a scene not many will forget. One of the few Telugu compositions by Bappi Lahari, this song is a romantic outing for many of that generation. From the 1991 film ‘Gang Leader’, this one definitely deserves a place in the list. In 2012 film ‘Racha’, Chiranjeevi’s son Ram Charan shook a leg to the same number with Tamannaah in tow.

Swathi lo muthyam anta
Raveena Tandon and Balakrishna begin to dance as soon as lightning hits the ground. That is precisely how the song begins. Composed by Koti for the 1993 film ‘Bangaru Bullodu’, this is an apt tune for this monsoon.

Jallanta Kavvinta Kavali le
Here’s a beautiful song picturised by Mani Ratnam in the 1989 film ‘Geetanjali’. This Ilaiyaraaja composition rendered by KS Chitra is a fun, jolly and joyous song that captures rain in its immense beautiful form.

Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana
Picturised on Trisha, this song from 2004 film ‘Varsham’ is a rare ode to rain. Dressed in a blue langa oni, Trisha instantly rose to fame and became the new pinup girl. Composed by Devi Sri Prasad, the movie went on to become a musical hit with this number being the highlight of the album.

Ammayi muddu ivvande
This one isn’t a whole and sole rain song. But half the song sees Sridevi and Venkatesh romancing each other in the rain. Ram Gopal Varma gives this composition by MM Keeravani his touch and shows Sridevi in her sensual best. This song from RGV’s 1991 film is the last song on this list!