The VVIP intensive care unit at AIIMS is now reverberating with old Hindi film music with former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who is recuperating here, requesting for the songs to be played on the radio.

After the veteran leader expressed his desire to listen to some soothing music, attending doctors gave the nod, saying it would have a calm effect.

Vajpayee, known for his penchant for movies, old film music and poetry, has been listening to these songs on the AIR FM Gold radio station, his personal physician Dr Randeep Guleria said.

"It has been a positive development and so we let it continue. Some time we put on music for him or else he asks for it to be played. He is now able to sit and listen to music in the morning and in the evening as well," he said.

Doctors said there has been a significant development in the health of the 84-year-old leader who was admitted to AIIMS after complaints of chest infection on February 3. He was later diagnosed with pneumonia.

"He is in the ICU. He is stable and improving. His chest infection has resolved and all the vital parameters are normal," said Medical Superintendent at AIIMS D K Sharma.

Vajpayee's ventilator support has been removed and he is breathing on his own, the doctors said.