LOVE – The well known factor of Tamil cinema has catered for uncountable number of movies in the past till contemporary times. We can easily count the number of films that doesn't base on love. But, the way love being picturized on celluloid has drastically changed from time to time depending on the vantage point of youngsters. Definition of love changed from hiding behind curtains, walking around trees, exchanging words with looks to dating over a coffee for knowing the person better.

Cinema passed along different generations and changed itself accordingly to suit the taste. In the time of bigwigs MGR and Sivaji, taunting the women and making her fall in love was the best suggested way. Even though, they had the way of behaving as perfect gentlemen with immense talent at times to woo the girls, they often criticized the woman's attitude which was staged prominently. The idea was carried forward even later by Superstar Rajinikanth, who flaunts the girl before loving her.

The other style showcased was soft and subtle love hints made which was a more romantic approach. Love at first sight made famous by Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' predominantly ruled cinema in those times.

Then came the second era, love and innocence joined hands during this period. Walking along the shore holding hands, censoring smooches with bustling flowers, looking into one another's eyes for hours! And finally do or die…in this case love or die was the crux of Tamil films of the time.

Sensible portrayal of young love which had abounding innocence and pure heart to it adorned cinemas which enthralled the crowd. Best movies of the era, 'Marocharitra' (Telugu), 'Ek Duje Keliye' (Hindi), 'Punnagai Mannan', ' et. al. (mostly Kamal Haasan starrer) often ended in tragedy similar to the Shakespearen era.

Listen to 'Maro Charithra' songs on raaga.com Now….

Listen to 'Kizhake Pogum Rayil' songs on raaga.com Now….

'Alaigal Oyivathilai', 'Paneer Pushpangal', 'Kizhake Pogum Rayil' are films in which love triumphs against all odds as in our latest 'Slumdog Millionaire'.

The last definition of love faded out in the 90's with Murali (Idhayam) being the last man standing without expressing his love till the end. A new trend of love kicked in with women taking the step ahead instead of waiting for the man to approach. Instead of underplayed hints, the couples started expressing their emotional traits without inhibitions. Even though, the bigger crowd decided to refrain from proposing, love was in the air more free than ever. Cinema reflected society and vice versa which happened simultaneously.

Listen to 'Alai Payuthey' songs on raaga.com Now….

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Mani Ratnam's 'Alai Payuthey' was a trendsetter in the list and we cannot deny the fact that many youngsters got inspired by the idea. Moreover, movies never misguide people as told by critics but just a mirror image of the society. 'Kadhal Kottai' and 'Kadhalar Dhinam' depicted how technology bridged the gap through phone and internet. Love is never egoistic but lovers are was a new genre told in 'Kushi', 'Thiruda Thirudi' and the forthcoming 'Siva Manasula Sakthi'.

Listen to 'Kushi' songs on raaga.com Now….

Love at the first sight is out of the box termed as a myth and dating over a cup of coffee for knowing the better half is widely accepted for now. In terms of names, lovers christened themselves as boyfriends and girlfriends and love is widely known as LOVE, surprisingly!

Times may have changed and how people define love differed yet some things are the same. Caring for one another and sharing love till death, sentimental love and sensible love are different perceptions but everything came under one roof, Love.

Valentine's Day is being celebrated honoring Saint Valentine, the man who made efforts to get couples married against the King's rule (Roman age 'Shajahan'), which led to his death but still his name lingers on.

Happy Valentine's Day.

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