As I was creating the poll above, I thought how wonderful it would be to have the best songs of these soundtracks in one CD. I couldn't do it. There are too many good songs, so I though of creating a 2 CD compilation with an extra CD of the best instrumentals of those albums. Since a music company is probably not going to put this together, why not I do it myself? This is my selection, hence yours may differ.
I want to add that nobody in today's times can stake claim to compositions as beautiful, classy, melodious, deep, rich, flavorful as below. Nevermind ARR's brilliance for modern compositions, nobody can touch him when it comes to period film scores. (BTW, I added Ay Hairathe and Tere Bina from Guru since these are period like songs to me, even though Guru is not a period album per se, though it has a period section). I cheated a little.... I guarantee that if you gift a compliation like this to someone who loves deep, rich raaga based classy melodies reminiscent of the evergreen era, they will savor this collection and be forever grateful. I'd like you to think about how much craftmanship and work went into these period compositions adorned by some of the richest sounds and ethnic instrumentation of any musical time or place. Disc 1 Dheeme Dheeme - Zubeidaa Basanti Chola - LOBS Piya Ho - Water Ruth Aa Gaye Re - Earth Azeem O Shaan - JA Ekla Chalo - Bose Tere Bina - Guru Mitwa - Lagaan Chan Chan - Water Dheemi Dheemi - Earth O Paalanhaare (Sadhana Sargam Version) - Lagaan Aazadi - Bose Man Mohanna - JA So Gayein - Zubeidaa Disc 2 Ghanan Ghanan - Lagaan Jashne Bahaar - JA Naina Neer - Water O Re Chori - Lagaan Chhodo More Baiyaan - Zubeidaa Ay Hairathe - Guru In Lamho Ke - JA Ghoomparani - Bose Radha Kaise Na Jale - Lagaan Khwaja Mere Khwaja - JA Hai Na - Zubeidaa Desh Ki Mitti - Bose Ishwar Allah - Earth Bangari Marori - Water Disc 3 (Period Instrumentals) 1947 Earth Theme Spirit of Lagaan Jashne Bahaar Flute Instrumental Earth Piano Theme Desh Ki Mitti Orchestral Version Khwaja Oboe Instrumental Afghanistan - Themes 1 and 2