"Aye mere pyare watan, aye mere bichchde chaman, tujhpe dil qurban"
Movie: Kabuliwala (1961)
Music Director: Salil Choudhury
Lyricist: Prem Dhawan
Singer: Manna Dey
Composed on the eve of Indo-china war of 1962 this is one of the most heart-rending songs about mother India. The lyrics by Prem Dhawan depict the emotion of love towards one's motherland. Manna Dey has sung it in a sombre tone and that gives this inspirational number the right amount of awe.
“Aye watan, aye watan… hum ko teri kasam"
Movie: Shaheed (1965)
Music Director: Prem Dhawan
Lyricist: Prem Dhawan
Singer: Mohammed Rafi
The life of Bhagat Singh has been the subject of many Bollywood movies, but none of them could hold a candle to this 1965 classic. This song portrays the sheer determination and focus of Bhagat Singh and his fellow nationalists to sacrifice their lives for nation’s freedom. Mohammed Rafi has lends power to the vocals as Manoj Kumar carries the sentiments on video with equal gusto.
"Kar chale hum fida jaan-o-tan saathiyon, ab tumhare hawale watan saathiyon"
Movie: Haqeeqat (1965)
Music Director: Madan Mohan
Lyricist: Kaifi Azmi
Singer: Mohammed Rafi
Set against the Sino-Indian war of 1962, Haqeeqat was one of the first war movies to be showcased on the Indian silver screen. A young Dharmendra played the role of a soldier while the veteran Balraj Sahni anchored the film. The lyrics talk of carnage and the emotional state of a soldier ready to sacrifice life and limb for the country.
"Mere desh ki dharti sona ugle…"
Movie: Upkar (1967)
Music Director: Kalyanji-Anandji
Lyricist: Gulshan Bawra
Singer: Mahendra Kapoor
Manoj Kumar directed Upkar (1967) under the suggestion of then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. The idea was to make a film on the Jai jawaan jai kissan slogan. The song Mere desh ki dharti sung by Mahendra Kapoor was the highlight. The lyrics of the song depict the pride and holiness of the motherland. They describe an ordinary farmer’s pride and love towards his land and country.
"Hai preet jahan ki reet sada, mein geet wahan ke gaata hoon"
Movie: Purab Aur Paschim (1970)
Music Director: Kalyanji-Anandji
Lyricist: Indeevar
Singer: Mahendra Kapoor
This seventies movie had themes of the growing influence of westernisation on Indian values and culture. This number inspires every Indian to hold on to values that make and define a glorious nation. This Manoj Kumar classic also deals with the East-West divide, and asserts that it was the east that helped west to achieve greatness (“Jab zero diya mere Bharat ne, duniya ko ginti tab aayi”).
“Bharat humko jaan se pyaar hai"
Movie: Roja (1992)
Music Director: AR Rahman
Lyricist: PK Mishra
Singer: Hariharan
Roja was a film based on the backdrop of terrorism in India directed by Mani Ratnam. The highlight of the film was the song "Bharat humko jaan se pyaara hai" sung masterfully by Hariharan. The song evokes a sense of awakening and unity amongst all Indians. This powerful composition by AR Rahman was a touching experience for every Indian.
"Yeh jo desh hai tera"
Movie: Swades (2004)
Music Director: AR Rahman
Lyricist: Javed Akhtar
Singer: AR Rahman
Swades had a unique song that depicted the irony of a Non resident Indian played by Shah Rukh Khan. The hero feels towards the impoverished state of people in his parent country. This song awakened people about such misery and poverty faced by many even during the 21st century. It also emphasised on an individual’s timeless connection to his roots and/or birth place.
“Des rangilaa"
Movie: Fanaa (2006)
Music Director: Jatin-Lalit
Lyrisict: Prasoon Joshi
Singer: Mahalakshmi Iyer
Fanaa was a romantic film with themes of terrorism. Aamir Khan played the character of a terrorist who sided neither with India nor with Pakistan and fought for the freedom of Kashmir. The "Des rangilaa" song became popular amongst music lovers. The lyrics of the song described the ever-changing colours of the beautiful motherland.
"Rang de basanti"
Movie: Rang De Basanti (2006)
Music Director: AR Rahman
Lyricist: Prasoon JOshi
Singer: Daler Mehndi and KS Chithra
Rang De Basanti captured the angst of young India towards prevailing corruption in the country. This film portrayed a rustic background and showcased a deep determination of youngsters to usher change."Rang de basanti" the title track was a classic AR Rahman composition and it showcased a desi but nationalistic flavour with great effect.
"Maa tujhe salam"
Album: Vande Mataram
Music Director: AR Rahman
Lyricist: Mehboob Kotwal
Singer: AR Rahman
AR Rahman created the album Vande Mataram to commemorate 50 years of Indian independence along with his childhood friend and film maker Bharat Bala. AR Rahman dedicated this song to the future generations of India, hoping it would inspire them to grow up with the values and ethics that our motherland is known for. The lyrics of the song were simple and contemporary so that the youngsters could sing it and thereby respect it as well. This song was voted second most famous song of all time around the world by a BBC poll.
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