I don't think the Hindi cinema that was made in the 1950's, the 1960's and some of the 70's can be matched anytime, if ever. I am a very old fashioned individual when it comes to Hindi cinema I suppose. I simply refuse to believe that there can be a better gamut of actors, singers, directors and musicians than from that era. I just think that much of the things made in those years made a lot more sense than most of the things made today. The inane acting, the cacophony of music and putting in models instead of proper actresses tells me that today's Bollywood isn't really about substance, at least not as much as it was way back in the day.

Everybody's talking about the spate of deaths to some of India's best musical and thespian treasures within a span of a few months. We lost Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Bhupen Hazarika, Shammi Kapoor, M.F. Hussein and now Dev Anand. That's a lot of talent!

So while Dev sahab had drifted into making independent films with unknown faces and daring themes in the later half of his film career, nobody can deny the quality of stuff he made way back in the day. They say that when he would venture out wearing black, girls would literally swoon over him from every corner. Of course, the great music that accompanied him in so many of his great movies just adds to the perfection.

One of my most favorite movies is the movie Guide. Based on a Sahitya Kala Academy Award winning "The Guide" written by another of India's great literary sons, R.K. Narayan, directed by Chetan Anand and starring Dev Anand and Waheeda ji as the protagonists, this movie hit the entire spectrum of human emotion. And the music this movie had was heavenly. I think the scenes in the end of the movie (yes they have taken some theatrical liberties with the story line but all for a good cause) such as the Swami asking Ram to take him and his Muslim friend Gafoor in the background praying "No, Ram", or the people singing the Lord Ram bhajans and then the Swami finally passing on are etched permanently in this mind of mine.

The music sung by Mohammad Rafi sahab, Kishore da and Lata ji and music by S.D. Burman all in all created one of Bollywood's masterpieces.

Then there is Haqeeqat, about the India-China War, and all the buggers who talk about how India should be China's best friend because they are oh so nice and oh so progressive should watch this movie. The Chinese of today have only one demonic aim in mind, to rule the world, and since they can't rule the world on the basic principles of human freedom, they can only do so by force. Sorry for bringing it in but this is just to talk about the relevance of this movie even today.

My respects to all these great people who've passed away. There is something about being an artist, at least their creations will stay long after they're gone. Unfortunately those of us in the corporate grind will probably never be remembered for any achievement at work. The position of Manager - Finance will stay, but maybe 2 years down the line people will forget who was in it on Friday, 9th December 2011.

But I must not be cynical now. I want to remember the great movies and songs of that era of which Dev sahab was an integral part, and hope that humanity for all its shortcomings and failures continue to inspire itself and keep unlocking its artistic potential.