Songs that make Dev Anand the evergreen star

Hum bekhudi mein (Kala Pani, 1958): Sung at a kotha, this drunk and disorderly exploration of love and life composed by SD Burman and sung to perfection by Mohammad Rafi along Anand’s tilted gait remains iconic for its warm embrace.

Main zindagi ka saath (Hum Dono, 1961): Dev Anand lit up Sahir Ludhianvi’s lyrics while metaphorically presenting the essence of life and its ups and downs in a piece that will forever remain at the heart of The actor’s persona.

Tere mere sapne (Guide, 1965): One of SD Burman’s finest hour, the emotional depth of Rafi’s voice and Shailendra’s lyrics along Hari Prasad Chaurasia’s flute take one to the most obscure corners of the heart of Raju and Rosie in a difficult moment.

Gaata rahe mera dil (Guide, 1965): For years to come, this Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar piece would come to be known as the evergreen hero’s marquee song.

Hum hain raahi pyaar ke (Nau Do Gyarah, 1957): Soundtrack to a drive taken by Madan (Dev Anand) from Delhi to Mumbai, this Majrooh Sultanpuri piece that’s brimming with affection, playfulness and the absolutely beautiful idea, Jo bhi pyar se mila hum usi ke ho liye.

Hai apna dil toh awara (Solva Saal, 1958): The playful and charming train melody had a young RD Burman play the iconic interlude on the mouth organ for this SD Burman and Majrooh Sultanpuri piece. Hemant Kumar sang it with much tenderness and impishness for Dev Anand, the handsome journalist travelling on the same train as Waheeda Rehman attempting to elope with her boyfriend.

Khoya khoya chaand (Kala Bazaar, 1960): A lovely example of mischief and melody bound together, the song in Mohommad Rafi’s voice describes the feeling of falling in love and wanting to stay that way.

Abhi na jao chhod kar (Hum Dono, 1961): If there is any hall of fame for Hindi cinema, then this Jaidev melody written by Sahir should be inducted in it for being one of the best romantic duets from Hindi cinema. Etched in the hearts of many, the song has cut across generations to stay as popular even today.

Dil ka bhawar kare pukaar (Tere ghar ke saamne, 1963): Beautifully shot inside Qutub Minar this Hasrat Jaipuri and SD Burman piece picturised on Nutan and Dev Anand, has a simple melody that sticks in one’s head and treads into a world of relishing a new relationship.

Vahan kaun hai tera (Guide, 1965): One of the few wonderful times when SD Burman got behind the microphone in a recording studio. This touching piece by Shailendra opens Guide as Burman sings with a nasal twang in the typical Bhatiyali folk style – the river song usually sung by the boatman. As the credits roll, Dev Anand walks the country, trying to figure life. Metaphorically strong, the piece is an unfailingly touching start to a film that came with one of the finest soundtracks of Hindi cinema

Kabhi khud pe kabhi halaat pe: Composer Jaidev and Rafi would go on to weave a tapestry of melancholy in this piece about love and loss in Hum Dono, a film about two soldiers, both played by Dev Anand. The devastatingly truthful lines by Sahir, Kaun rota hai kisi aur ki khatir aye dost, sabko apni hi kisi baat par rona aaya that have Dev Anand emoting them, put despair — of Sahir as well as Dev Anand’s character — in perspective.