A few days after our 68th Independence Day, last year, I gave you a compendium of The Best Azaadi (Independence) Poems, together with their translations. A large number of people have messaged to me that it is the finest compendium available on the Internet.
Now, a few days after our 66th Republic Day, I give you – what I consider as – the best patriotic songs. Sometimes, we are filled with anxiety about our country; at others, we are downright cynical. I myself took a reality check four years back with How Proud Should We Be Of Indian Republic At 62? However, we do recognise the fact that it is better to be free, independent and a sovereign republic than to be under a foreign yoke. With all our problems, there won’t be too many of us who don’t love our country India, both as a geographical entity and as an idea or concept. These songs, therefore, not only reflect our history but how and why we love India, that is, Bharat.
The very first song that comes to mind is of course Vande Mataram. It translates into ‘I praise thee, Mother’; wherein Mother is Bharat Mata. The poem was penned by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in his 1882 classic Anand Math, which was later (in 1952) made into a movie by the same name by Hemen Gupta who was private secretary to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and who, in 1961, directed Kabuliwala based on a story by Nobel Laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore. The music of the movie was given by my favourite singer and music director Hemant Kumar. Vande Mataram had many versions sung by many; the latest being on music composed by Oscar winner AR Rehman. However, my favourite is naturally the one sung by Hemant da, even though the movie itself had another version sung by Lata Mangeshkar, widely regarded as one of the best.
Please enjoy: Vande Mataram…..
vande maataram.h
sujalaa.n suphalaa.n malayajashiitalaam.h
shasya shyaamalaa.n maatara.n .
shubhra jyotsna pulakita yaaminiim
phulla kusumita drumadalashobhiniim.h,
suhaasinii.n sumadhura bhaashhiNiim.h .
sukhadaa.n varadaa.n maataram.h .. vande maataram.h dots
sapta koTi kanTha kalakala ninaada karaale
koTi koTi bhujaidhru.rta kharakaravaale
nisapta koTi bhujaidhruta kharakaravaale
ke bole maa tumii abale
bahubala dhaariNii.n namaami taariNiim.h
ripudalavaariNii.n maataram.h .. vande maataram.h dots
tumi vidyaa tumi dharma, tumi hR^idi tumi marma
tva.n hi praaNaaH shariire
baahute tumi maa shakti,
hR^idaye tumi maa bhakti,
tomaarai pratimaa gaDi ma.ndire ma.ndire .. vande maataram.h dots
tva.n hi durgaa dashapraharaNadhaariNii
kamalaa kamaladala vihaariNii
vaaNii vidyaadaayinii, namaami tvaam.h
namaami kamalaa.n amalaa.n atulaam.h
sujalaa.n suphalaa.n maataram.h .. vande maataram.h dots
shyaamalaa.n saralaa.n susmitaa.n bhuushhitaam.h
dharaNii.n bharaNii.n maataram.h .. vande maataram.h dots
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGWqGtPFbDQ
Lets now turn to Tarana-e-Hind (Anthem of the People of Hindostan) or the National Song of India: Saare Jahan Se Achha or Better Than The Whole World. It was penned by the Urdu poet Muhammad Iqbal and was published in the weekly journal Ittehad on 16th Aug 1904. It was the leading poem/song of our opposition to the British rule. In the 1950s, the Sitar Maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar composed the music of the national song and Melody Queen Lata Mangeshkar sang it. It also became the marching tune of the Indian Armed Forces. India’s astronaut, in 1984, in an interview with the Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, in answer to a question by her as to how India appeared from the outer space promptly replied (and gladdened the hearts of millions of Indians): “Saare jahan se achchha”!
Please enjoy our national song Saare Jahan Se Achchha sung by Lata Mangeshkar on the music of Pandit Ravi Shankar:
saare jahaa.N se achchhaa, hindostaa.n hamaaraa
ham bulabule hai.n isakii, vo gulasitaa.n hamaaraa
gurabat me.n ho.n agar ham, rahataa hai dil vatan me.n
samajho vahii.n hame.n bhii, dil ho jahaa.N hamaaraa, saare …
parvat ho sabase uu.Nchaa, hamasaayaa aasamaa.N kaa
vo sa.ntarii hamaaraa, vo paasavaa.n hamaaraa, saare …
godii me.n khelatii hai.n, jisakii hazaaro.n nadiyaa.n
gulashan hai jisake dam se, rashk-e-jinaa.n hamaaraa
saare …
ai aab-e-rau.nd-e-ga.ngaa! vo din hai yaad tujhako
utaraa tere kinaare, jab kaaravaa.n hamaaraa, saare …
majahab nahii.n sikhaataa, aapas me.n bair rakhanaa
hindii hai.n ham vatan hai.n, hindostaa.n hamaaraa, saare …
yuunaan, misr, romaa.n, sab miT gae jahaa.N se
ab tak magar hai baakii, naam-o-nishaa.n hamaaraa,
saare …
kuchh baat hai kii hastii, miTatii nahii.n hamaarii
sadiyo.n rahaa hai dushman, daur-e-jahaa.N hamaaraa, saare …
‘iqabaal’ koI marahuum, apanaa nahii.n jahaa.N me.n
maaluum kyaa kisii ko, dard-e-nihaa.n hamaaraa, saare …
Kadam kadam badhaye jaa was the regimental quick march of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Written by Pt. Vanshidhar Shukla. Composed by Ram Singh Thakur who served in Netaji’s Indian National Army and was of Nepali origin. The song is also currently the regimental quickmarch of the Indian Army.
Please enjoy: Kadam kadam badhaye jaa, khushi ke geet gaaye jaa….
( kadam-kadam ba.Dhaaye jaa
Kushii ke giit gaaye jaa
ye zi.ndagii hai qaum kii
tuu qaum pe luTaaye jaa ) -2
( tuu sher-e-hind aage ba.Dh
marane se phir bhii tuu na Dar
u.Daa ke dushmano.n kaa sar
ju.D-e-watan ba.Dhaaye jaa ) -2
kadam-kadam ba.Dhaaye jaa
Kushii ke giit gaaye jaa
ye zi.ndagii hai qaum kii
tuu qaum pe luTaaye jaa
( chalo chale.n pukaar ke
Gam-e-nishaa.N sa.mbhaal ke
laa qile pe gaa.D ke
laharaaye jaa laharaaye jaa ) -2
( kadam-kadam ba.Dhaaye jaa
Kushii ke giit gaaye jaa
ye zi.ndagii hai qaum kii
tuu qaum pe luTaaye jaa ) -2
https://youtube.com/watch?v=bQcBNutX4GY%3F
This song sung by Lata Mangeshkar on a day after Republic Day in 1963, immediately after the Sino-Indian War of 1962, in Ramlila Maidan, New Delhi, brought the Indian Prime Minister Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru to tears. In 2013 when the song turned its glorious 50 years, it was sung by Lata ji at Mahalaxmi Race Course in Mumbai whereat the Armed Forces personnel with gallantry medals were re-honoured.
The lyrics of the song were written by Kavi Pradeep, the national poet; and the music was composed by C Ramchandra.
Please enjoy: Aye mere watan ke logo….
ai mere vatan ke logo
tum khuub lagaa lo naaraa
ye shubh din hai ham sab kaa
laharaa lo tira.ngaa pyaaraa
par mat bhuulo siimaa par
viiro.n ne hai praaN ga.Nvaae
kuchh yaad unhe.n bhii kar lo -2
jo lauT ke ghar na aaye -2
ai mere vatan ke logo.n
zaraa aa.Nkh me.n bhar lo paanii
jo shahiid hue hai.n unakii
zaraa yaad karo qurabaanii
jab ghaayal huaa himaalay
khatare me.n pa.Dii aazaadii
jab tak thii saa.Ns la.De vo
phir apanii laash bichhaa dii
sa.ngiin pe dhar kar maathaa
so gaye amar balidaanii
jo shahiid…
jab desh me.n thii dIvaalii
vo khel rahe the holI
jab ham baiThe the gharo.n me.n
vo jhel rahe the golii
the dhanya javaan vo aapane
thii dhanya vo unakii javaanii
jo shahiid…
koii sikh koii jaaT maraaThaa
koii gurakhaa koii madaraasii
sarahad par maranevaalaa
har viir thaa bhaaratavaasii
jo khuun giraa pav.rat par
vo khuun thaa hi.ndustaanii
jo shahiid…
thii khuun se lath-path kaayaa
phir bhii banduuk uThaake
das-das ko ek ne maaraa
phir gir gaye hosh ga.Nvaa ke
jab ant-samay aayaa to
kah gaye ke ab marate hai.n
khush rahanaa desh ke pyaaro.n
ab ham to safar karate hai.n
kyaa log the vo dIvaane
kyaa log the vo abhimaanii
jo shahiid…
tum bhuul na jaao unako
is liye kahii ye kahaanii
jo shahiid…
jay hind… jay hind kii senaa -2
jay hind, jay hind, jay hind
After the success of 1957 Mother India, in 1962 Mehboob Khan made Son of India. As compared to the big cast of Mother India including Nargis, Khan took lesser known Simi Grewal, Kamaljith, Jayant and Kumkum in the lead roles. However, he retained the team of my favourite lyricist Shakeel Badayuni and music director Naushad Ali for the songs of the movie. For a young and newly independent nation, the voice of Shanti Mathur singing Nanha Munna Rahi Hoon was just what India wanted. It became a super-hit song instantly and is reflective of a resurgent India.
Please enjoy: Nanha munna raahi hoon…
nanhaa munnaa raahii huu.N, desh kaa sipaahii huu.N
bolo mere sa.ng, jay hi.nd, jay hi.nd, jay hi.nd …
raste pe chaluu.ngaa na Dar-Dar ke
chaahe mujhe jiinaa pa.De mar-mar ke
ma.nzil se pahale naa luu.ngaa kahii.n dam
aage hii aage ba.Dhaau.ngaa kadam
daahine baae.n daahine baae.n, tham! nanhaa …
dhuup me.n pasiinaa bahaau.ngaa jahaa.N
hare-bhare khet laharaae.nge vahaa.N
dharatii pe faake na paae.nge janam
aage hii aage …
nayaa hai zamaanaa merii na_ii hai Dagar
desh ko banaau.ngaa mashiino.n kaa nagar
bhaarat kisii se na rahegaa kam
aage hii aage …
ba.Daa ho ke desh kaa sitaaraa banuu.ngaa
duniyaa kii aa.Nkho.n kaa taaraa banuu.ngaa
rakhuu.Ngaa uu.nchaa tira.ngaa haradam
aage hii aage …
shaa.nti ki nagarii hai meraa ye vatan
sabako sikhaauu.ngaa pyaar kaa chalan
duniyaa me.n girane na duu.ngaa kahii.n bam
aage hii aage …
This song from the 1965 movie Shaheed on the lives and sacrifices of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev still makes my hair stand on end. The lyricist was Prem Dhawan and music was also composed by him. It was sung by Mohammad Rafi. The version that gives you goose pimples is when Bhagat Singh’s mother visits him in the jail before he and his two friends are taken to the gallows. There is promise in the song that ‘O, mother, your son will not die even after he is hanged and is fortunate to be wedded to the nation’.
Please enjoy: Ai watan, ai watan hamako teri kasam….
tuu nA ronA, ke tU hai bhagat si.nh kii maa.N
mar ke bhI laal terA maregaa nahii.n
Dolii cha.Dhake to laate hai dulhan sabhii
ha.Nsake har koI phaa.Nsii cha.Dhegaa nahii.n
jalate bhii gaye kahate bhii gaye
aazaadii ke paravaane
jiinaa to usiikaa jiinaa hai
jo maranaa desh par jaane
jab shahiido.n kii Dolii uThe dhuum se
deshavaalo.n tum aa.Nsuu bahaanaa nahii.n
par manaao jab aazaad bhaarat kA din
us gha.Dii tum hame.n bhuul jaanaa nahii.n
ai vatan ai vatan hamako terii qasam
terii rAho.n mai.n jaa.n tak luTaa jaaye.nge
phuul kyaa chiiz hai tere kadamo.n pe ham
bhe.nT apane saro.n kii cha.Dhaa jaaye.nge
ai vatan ai vatan
koii pa.njaab se, koii mahaarAshhTr se
koii yuu pii se hai, koii ba.ngaal se
terii puujaa kii thaalii me.n laaye hai.n ham
phuul har ra.ng ke, aaj har Daal se
naam kuchh bhii sahii par lagan ek hai
jot se jot dil kii jagaa jaaye.nge
ai vatan ai vatan …
terii jaanib uThii jo kahar kii nazar
us nazar ko jhukaa ke hii dam le.nge ham
terii dharatii pe hai jo kadam Gair kaa
us kadam kaa nishaa.N tak miTaa de.nge ham
jo bhii diivaar aayegii ab saamane
Thokaro.n se use ham giraa jaaye.nge
When it comes to a patriotic song that still gives you goose pimples, there is nothing to beat this one from Chetan Anand’s 1964 movie Haqeeqat (Reality) that sought to recreate the reality of 1962 Sino Indian War. The movie starred Dharmendra and Priya Rajvansh besides Balraj Sajni, Vijay Anand, Jayant and Sanjay Khan.
This song was penned by Kaifi Azmi who had mastered the art of writing simple words powerfully. Music was composed by Madan Mohan and the song was sung by Mohammad Rafi.
Please enjoy: Kar chale hum fida jaano tan saathiyo….
(kar chale ham fidaa jaan-o-tan saathiyo.n
ab tumhaare havaale vatan saathiyo.n ) – (2)
saa.Ns thamatii ga_ii nabz jamatii ga_ii
phir bhii ba.Dhate kadam ko na rukane diyaa
kaT gaye sar hamaare to kuchh Gam nahii.n
sar himaalay kaa hamane na jhukane diyaa
marate marate rahaa baa.Nkaapan saathiyo.n, ab tumhaare …
zi.ndaa rahane ke mausam bahut hai.n magar
jaan dene kii rut roz aatii nahii.n
husn aur ishq dono.n ko rusavaa kare
vo javaanii jo khuu.N me.n nahaatii nahii.n
baa.Ndh lo apane sar par kafan saathiyo.n, ab tumhaare …
raah qurbaaniyo.n kii na viiraan ho
tum sajaate hii rahanaa naye qaafile
fatah kaa jashn is jashn ke baad hai
zi.ndagii maut se mil rahii hai gale
aaj dharatii banii hai dulhan saathiyo.n, ab tumhaare …
khii.nch do apane khuu.N se zamii.n par lakiir
is taraf aane paaye na raavaN koii
to.D do haath agar haath uThane lage
chhuune paaye na siitaa kaa daaman koii
raam bhii tum tumhii.n lakshmaN saathiyo.n, ab tumhaare …
Lets turn to a little more modern movie and little more modern song. I love this song for its pathos and quiet resolve in the face of unequal war perpetrated on India by the terrorists from across the border. It brought national acclaim to two people: the story-writer and director of the movie Mani Ratnam and its music director AR Rehman. The 1992 movie Roja was first made in Tamil starring Arvind Swamy and Madhoo who nearly received the National Best Actress Award until she was beaten by Dimple Kapadia. The music got the Best Movie on National Integration Award and Best Music Director award for AR Rehman in his debut movie. The soundtrack of the movie by Rehman was declared by Time magazine in 2005 as one of the ten best sound tracks.
The song has the lyrics by PK Mishra and sung by Hariharan.
Please enjoy: Bharat hamako jaan se pyaara hai….
Bhaarat hamako jaan se pyaaraa hai
sabase nyaaraa gulistaa.n hamaaraa hai
sadiyo.n se bhaarat bhuumi duniyaa kii shaan hai
bhaarat maa.n kii rakshaa me.n jiivan qurbaan hai
bhaarat hamako jaan se …
uja.De nahii.n apanaa chaman, TUTe nahii.n apanaa vatan
duniyaa dhar dharatii korI, barabaad naa karade koii
mandir yahaa.N, masjid vahaa.N, hinduu yahaa.N muslim vahaa.N
milate rahe ham pyaar se
jaago …
hindustaanii naam hamaaraa hai, sabase pyaaraa desh hamaaraa hai
janmabhuumi hai hamaarii shaan se kahe.nge ham
sabhii to bhaaI-bhaaI pyaar se rahe.nge ham
hindustaanii naam hamaaraa hai
aasaam se gujaraat tak, ba.ngaal se mahaaraashhTr tak
jhanakii sahii gun ek hai, bhaashhaa alag sur ek hai
kashmiir se madraas tak, kah do sabhii ham ek hai.n
aavaaz do ham ek hai.n
jAgo …
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Wqb4HIcZ-Gc%3F
Talking about AR Rehman, one can never forget his Maa Tujhe Salaam that has been sung by him on his own music. Its lyrics are by Mehboob. AR Rehman has a way of reaching to the hearts of our countrymen with his music and this song really assumed iconic proportions.
Please enjoy: Maa tujhe salaam….
maa.N
(mother)
va.nde maataram
(I pray to you, o mother)
yahaa.N-vahaa.N saaraa jahaa.N dekh liyaa hai
(here and there, i have seen the entire world)
kahii.n bhii tere jaisaa ko_ii nahii.n hai
(but, there is no one anywhere like you)
assii nahii.n sau din duniyaa ghuumaa huu.N
(I have travelled across the world, not for eighty, but for a hundred days)
nahii.n kahii.n tere jaisaa ko_ii nahii.n hai
(no one anywhere, like you no one is there)
mai.n gayaa jahaa.N bhii bas terii yaad thii
(wherever i went, only your memories were there)
jo mere saath thii mujh ko ta.Dapaatii-rulaatii
(that had accompanied me, torturing me, making me weep)
sab se pyaarii terii suurat pyaar hai bas teraa pyaar hii
(your face is the loveliest of them all, your affection is the only love)
maa.N tujhe salaam
(oh mother! i salute to you)
ammaa tujhe salaam
jahaa.N tuu hai vahaa.N mai.n teraa huu.N divaanaa mai.n
(wherever you are, i am there, i am mad after you)
jhuumuu.N naachu.n gaa_uu.N tere pyaar kaa taraanaa mai.n
( i swing, i dance, i sing, the song of your love)
cha.ndaa nahii.n suuraj nahii.n duiyaa kii daulat nahii.n
(i don’t want the moon, nor the sun, nor the wealth of this world)
bas luuTuu.Ngaa tere pyaar kaa khazaanaa
(i will only loot the treasure of your love)
ek nazar jab terii
(one glance of yours)
hotii hai pyaar kii
(you cast on me, filled with love)
duniyaa tab to merii chamake damake mahake re
(then my world shines, glitters, smells)
teraa cheharaa suuraj jaisaa chaa.Nd sii ThaND hai pyaar me.n
(you face is like the sun, the coolness of the moon is in your love)
tere paas hii mai.n aa rahaa huu.N apanii baa.Nhe.n khol de
(i am going to come near you, you please spread your arms)
jor se mujhako gale lagaa le mujhako phir vo pyaar de
(and hug me enthusiatically, grant me again that love of yours)
maa.N maa.N maa.N
%(oh mother!, oh mother!, oh mother!)
tuu hii zi.ndagii hai tuu hii merii mohabbat hai
(only your are the life, only you are my love)
tere hii pairo.n me.n jannat hai tuu hii dil tuu jaa.N maa.N
(the paradise lies only in your feet, you are my heart, you are my life, oh mother!)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=jDn2bn7_YSM%3F
Lets now turn to a song that has been filmed in the National Defence Academy at Khadakvasala, near Pune (Maharashtra). It is from the 1970 film Aadmi Aur Insaan. Lyrics of this vivacious song were penned by Sahir Ludhianvi and music composed by Ravi. The song was sung by Mahendra Kapoor, S Balbir and Joginder.
Please enjoy: Yaara dildaara mera dil karta…..
dil karta o yara dildara mera dil karta
o yara dildara mera dil karta
aisa kuch kar paye yado me bas jaye
dil karta o yara dildara mera dil karta
o yara dildara mera dil karta
ho sadiyo jahan me ho charcha hamara
dil karta o yara dildara mera dil karta
o yara dildara mera dil karta
jalti mashale leke milni ki raato me
milni ki rato me
aage aage hum chale yaro ki baraato me
yaro ki baraato me
fanse koi bholi bhali apni bhi baato me
apni bhi baato me
kisi ki kalaayi aaye apne bhi haatho me
apne bhi haatho me
ho sadiyo jahan me ho charcha hamara
dil karta o yara dildara mera dil karta
o yara dildara mera dil karta
aisa kuch kar paye yado me bas jaye
dil karta o yara dildara mera dil karta
o yara dildara mera dil karta
nit naye dhundhe mujhe nit naye mile ho
nit naye mile ho
pariyo me ghire rahe kabhi na akele ho
kabhi na akele ho
gum ki ghataaye ho ki khushiyo ke rele ho
khushiyo ke rele ho
dono se nibhaane wale hum albele ho
hum albele ho
ho sadiyo jahan me ho charcha hamara
dil karta o yara dildara mera dil karta
o yara dildara mera dil karta
aisa kuch kar paye yado me bas jaye
dil karta o yara dildara mera dil karta
o yara dildara mera dil karta
humsa jiyala koi mile na hajaro me
mile na hajaro me
mare chahe jiye rahe agli kataro me
agli kataro me
jhalke hamara lahu kal ki baharo me
kal ki baharo me
ashqo ka tauhafa hoke bant jaye yaaro me
bant jaye yaaro me
ho sadiyo jahan me ho charcha hamara
dil karta o yara dildara mera dil karta
o yara dildara mera dil karta
aisa kuch kar paye yado me bas jaye
dil karta o yara dildara mera dil karta
o yara dildara mera dil karta
o yara dildara mera dil karta
o yara dildara mera dil karta
o yara dildara mera dil karta
o yara dildara mera dil karta
https://youtube.com/watch?v=3adU-Pg7g-o%3F
Lets get back to 1954 movie Jagriti (Awakening) directed by Satyen Bose. It won the Filmfare Best Movie Award and brought for its lead actor Abhi Bhattacharya the Best Supporting Actor Award. This songs lyrics, once again, are by Kavi Pradeep who has excelled in writing patriotic songs. Music is by Hemant Kumar and the song has been sung by Mohammad Rafi.
Please enjoy: Ham laayen hain toofaan se kishati nikaal ke….
paase sabhii ulaT gae dushman kii chaal ke
akshar sabhii palaT gae bhaarat ke bhaal ke
ma.nzil pe aayaa mulk har balaa ko Taal ke
sadiyo.n ke baad phir u.De bAdal gulaal ke
ham laae hai.n tuufaan se kashtii nikaal ke
is desh ko rakhanaa mere bachcho.n sambhaal ke
tum hii bhavishhy ho mere bhaarat vishaal ke
is desh ko rakhanaa mere bachcho.n sambhaal ke
dekho kahii.n barabaad nA hoe ye bagiichaa
isako hR^iday ke khuun se baapuu ne hai sii.nchaa
rakkhaa hai ye chiraaG shahiido.n ne baal ke, is desh ko…
duniyaa ke daa.nv pe.nch se rakhanaa nA vaastaa
ma.nzil tumhaarii dUr hai lambaa hai raastaa
bhaTakaa nA de koii tumhe.n dhokhe me.n Daal ke, is desh ko…
aiTam bamo.n ke jor pe ai.nThii hai ye duniyaa
baaruud ke ik Dher pe baiThii hai ye duniyaa
tum har kadam uThaanaa zaraa dekha bhaal ke, is desh ko…
aaraam kii tum bhuul bhulayyaa me.n nA bhuulo
sapano.n ke hi.nDolo.n pe magan hoke nA jhuulo
ab vaqt aa gayaa hai mere ha.Nsate hue phuulo.n
uTho chhalaa.Ng maar ke aakaash ko chhuu lo
tum gaa.D do gagan pe tira.ngaa uchhaal ke, is desh ko…
https://youtube.com/watch?v=ddrx8288qwA%3F
What can you say about this song? You can only marvel at its lyrics that represents how India was known for the nation with Sone Ki Chidhiya. Rajinder Krishan, its lyricist needs to be congratulated for the words that became immortal, a cherished dream in later years. Music is by Hansraj Behl who has not only given music for several Punjabi movies but also for Hindi movies. It has been sung by Mohammad Rafi. The song is from the 1965 movie Sikander-e-Azam.
Please enjoy: Jahan daal daal par sone ki chidhiyan karti hain basera….
jahaa.N Daal-Daal par
sone kii chi.Diyaa.n karatii hai baseraa
vo bhaarat desh hai meraa
jahaa.N satya, ahi.nsaa aur dharm kaa
pag-pag lagataa Deraa
vo bhaarat desh hai meraa
ye dharatii vo jahaa.N R^ishhi muni
japate prabhu naam kii maalaa
jahaa.N har baalak ek mohan hai
aur raadhaa har ek baalaa
jahaa.N suuraj sabase pahale aa kar
Daale apanaa pheraa
vo bhaarat desh hai meraa
alabelo.n kii is dharatii ke
tyohaar bhii hai alabele
kahii.n diivaalii kii jagamag hai
kahii.n hai.n holii ke mele
jahaa.N raag ra.ng aur ha.Nsii khushii kaa
chaaro aur hai gheraa
vo bhaarat desh hai meraa
jahaa.N aasamaan se baate karate
ma.ndir aur shivaale
jahaa.N kisii nagar me kisii dvaar par
koii na taalaa Daale
prem kii ba.nsii jahaa.N bajaataa
hai ye shaam saveraa
vo bhaarat desh hai meraa …
https://youtube.com/watch?v=-0kPkqkrHPk%3F
Lastly, I give you a song from Manoj Kumar’s 1967 movie Upkaar in which for the first time the villain Pran shifted to good roles. Manoj Kumar was an artificial stereo-typed actor but he excelled in making movies on patriotic themes. The movie Upkaar was also known for Kalyanji Anandji’s music and Indeevar’s lyrics. This very popular song has been sung in the silk-smooth voice of Mahendra Kapoor.
Please enjoy: Mere desh ki dharti…..
mere desh kii dharatii sonaa ugale, ugale hiire motii
mere desh kii dharatii …
bailo.n ke gale me.n jab ghu.ngharuu jiivan kaa raag sunaate hai.n
Gam kos duur ho jaataa hai khushiyo.n ke ka.nval muskaate hai.n
sunake rahaT kii aavaaze.n yuu.N lage kahii.n shahanaaI baje
aate hii mast bahaaro.n ke dulhan kii tarah har khet saje,
mere desh …
jab chalate hai.n is dharatii pe hal mamataa a.nga.Daaiyaa.N letii hai
kyuu.N naa puuje is maaTii ko jo jiivan kaa sukh detii hai
is dharatii pe jisane janam liyaa, usane hii paayaa pyaar teraa
yahaa.N apanaa paraayaa koI nahii.n hai sab pe hai maa.N upakaar teraa,
mere desh …
ye baaG hai gautam naanak kaa khilate hai.n chaman ke phuul yahaa.N
gaa.ndhii, subhaashh, Taigor, tilak, aise hai.n aman ke phuul yahaa.N
ra.ng haraa harii si.nh nalave se ra.ng laal hai laal bahaadur se
ra.ng banaa basa.ntii bhagat si.nh ra.ng aman kaa viir javaahar se,
mere desh …
Before we say Jai Hind, lets recall the 1910 poem of Nobel Laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore and pray that India takes its rightful place in the great nations of the world:
Where The Mind Is Without Fear
by Rabindranath Tagore
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.
A very fine collection of patriotic songs,need to be complimented for a super
Selection…however I missed my second most favourite song from Kabuliwalla
sung by Manna de–Ai mere pyare watan,Ai mere bichhde chaman. tujh pe dil kurban.the lines Tere daaman se jo aayen un hawaaon ko salaam……move our hearts and soul everytime we hear it..A Must include evergreen song one can never
tire of hearing.Regards. niraj vohra. Col(retd).
I would have included that Col Vohra but for the fact that the song was sung by an Afghan for his country in the movie Kabuliwala. Similarly, there would be many other patriotic songs sung by foreigners for their respective countries.