A Tamil song is currently in the lead in a poll to find the most popular tune in the world, beating tracks by the Beatles, Queen and Led Zeppelin.

The song, Rakkama Kaiya Thattu, features in Indian film Thalapathi, made in 1991. It was written by a film lyricist called Valee and the music composed by Ilayaraja.

Its leading position indicates the fact that India has so far submitted the most votes in the BBC World Service poll on its website.

Two other songs popular with Indian audiences, Vande Mataram by Bankim Chandra Chatarji, said to be the country's national song, and Chaiyya Chaiyya by Sukhvinder, from the 1998 Bollywood movie Dil Se, are at number five and seven.

Believe it: Cher is at number three

Cliff Richard's 1979 hit We Don't Talk Anymore is currently in second place.

Third place is taken by Cher's 1998 hit Believe.

John Lennon's Imagine is the fourth most popular track, and Bohemian Rhapsody is at number six.

Led Zeppelin's Stairway To Heaven is at number eight, The Beatles only chart at number nine with Yesterday, while The Eagles' standard Hotel California is at 10.

World leaders

Listeners in 112 countries have cast their votes so far since the poll opened two weeks ago.

The World Service has also canvassed the opinions of various world leaders on their favourite song of all time.

Former first lady of the Philippines Imelda Marcos chose The Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah.

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, a member of the Elvis Presley fan club, surprisingly opted for the theme music from the Robert De Niro film Once Upon A Time In America.

The president of Mongolia, Natsagiin Bagabandi, went for The Beatles' Let It Be.

The results and final chart will be announced by Steve Wright in Wright Round the World on Saturday, 21 December.

Votes have so far been received from 112 countries and 830 different songs have been voted for.