Remembering and adoring the motherland. Review on Ten Best Patriotic Songs

With the arrival of the Independence Day(and the Republic Day) every year, we start listening to the patriotic songs most of which belong to the movies only. Several memorable patriotic songs or the songs related to the praise or the rememberance of the motherland have been created by the music composers of Bollywood. I am sharing some of them here as per my personal choice as well as my knowledge.

Before I start listing out, let me mention Lata Mangeshkar's immortal song - Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon, Tum Aankh Mein Bhar Lo Paani, penned by Kavi Pradeep and composed by C. Ramachandra which is a tear-jerker. It is a non-filmi song and should be listened to feel the sacrifices of our uniform-clad brethren standing on the frontiers of our nation. Kavi Pradeep had penned it after seeing the aftermath of the 1962 war with China.

I have not included the immortal songs - Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna Ab Hamaare Dil Mein Hai, Mera Rang De Basanti Chola and Pagadi Sambhaal Jatta because they have been included in many patriotic movies(especially those based on the life of Bhagat Singh). These immortal songs were written by the Indian martyrs themselves. I have also not included a very favourite song in this list – Seemayen Bulaayen Tujhe Chal Raahi(LOC – Kargil – 2003)  and also Mera Joota Hai Japani(Shri 420 - 1955) because I have already included them in my review of journey songs.

Following is the list of my top ten patriotic songs from the Hindi movies:

1. Yun Neend Se Woh Jaan-e-Chaman Jaag Uthi Hai(Dard Ka Rishta – 1983): It's my most favourite patriotic song picturized on Sunil Dutt who plays an NRI in the movie and is missing his motherland very much while being abroad. The touching lyrics has come from the pen of Anand Bakshi and composition is of R.D. Burman. It has been sung by Kishore but Lata has also given voice to it separately.

   
   




2. Chitthi Aai Hai, Watan Se Chitthi Aai Hai(Naam - 1986): A highly popular song sung by Pankaj Ud-haas, picturized on Sanjay Dutt. Penned by Anand Bakshi and composed by Lakshmikant Pyarelal, this song is virtually a tear-jerker.

   
   




3. O Door Se Aane Waale Bata Kis Haal Mein Hai Yaarane Watan(Barkha Bahaar – 1973): An underrated song in the voices of Mahendra Kapoor and Manhar Ud-haas in which the prisoners who are away from their motherland, remember it with pain, melancholy and a hope to revisit it. Penned by Majrooh Sultaanpuri and composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal, this song has been picturized on many junior artists in the beginning of this movie.

   
   




4. Aye Mere Pyare Watan, Aye Mere Bichhade Chaman, Tujhpe Dil Qurbaan (Kaabuliwaala – 1961): This is one of the best songs of Manna Dey. The touching lyrics have come from the pen of Prem Dhawan whereas Salil Chowdhary has composed it and W.M. Khan has performed on it as the singer(Balraaj Saahni being the listener).

   
   




5. Aaj Himaalay Ki Choti Se Phir Humne Lalkaara Hai(Kismet – 1943): Written in the wake of the second world war, this highly popular patriotic song has been penned by Kavi Pradeep and composed by Anil Biswaas. Khan Mastaana and Ameer Baai Karnataki have sung it.

   
   




6. Hum Laaye Hain Toofan Se Kashti Nikaal Ke(Jagriti – 1954): It's a great song from a great movie, being the message of the freedom-fighters to the young generation breathing in the free air. Kavi Pradeep has penned it, Hemant Kumar has composed it and Mohammed Rafi has sung it for Abhi Bhattacharya.

   
   




7. Insaaf Ki Dagar Pe Bachchon Dikhaao Chal Ke(Ganga Jamuna – 1961): Again a song for the young ones, sung by a teacher(I don't know the name of the actor) in the movie. Hemant Kumar has sung it under the music direction of Naushad with the memorable lyric coming from the pen of Shakeel Badayuni.

   
   




8. Kar Chale Hum Fida Jaan-O-Tan Saathiyo(Haqeeqat – 1964): An immortal song in Rafi's voice(coming at the end of the movie) whose touching lyric is the creation of the great Shaayar Janaab Kaifi Aazmi and composition is of Madan Mohan.

   
   




9. Aye Watan Aye Watan, Humko Teri Kasam(Shaheed – 1965): A memorable song from the classic movie made on the life of Bhagat Singh, sung by Rafi and chorus, picturized on Manoj Kumar and others and penned and composed by Prem Dhawan.

   
   




10. Desnu Challo, Desh Maangta Hai Qurbaaniyaan(23rd March, 1931–Shaheed - 2002): A brilliant patriotic song which is very close to my heart. It has been penned by Dev Kohli and composed by Anand Raj Anand. It has been sung by Hans Raj Hans and chorus and Imraan Khan has brilliantly performed on it as Shaheed Kartaar Singh Saraaba.

    
    

In addition to the above top 10, the following patriotic songs are also very much dear to me:

1. Watan Ki Raah Mein Watan Ke Naujawaan Shaheed Hon(Shaheed – 1948): A touching patriotic song sung by Rafi for Dilip Kumar in the movie whose tune has been composed by Ghulam Hyder for the lyric of Raja Mehndi Ali Khan.

   
   




2. Kadam Kadam Badhaaye Ja, Khushi Ke Geet Gaaye Ja, Yeh Zidagi Hai Kaum Ki, Tu Kaum Pe Lutaaye Ja(Samaadhi – 1950): A immensely beautiful being a call for the soldiers on the frontier to move ahead and sacrifice themselves for the nation. Rajinder Krishan has penned this great song which has been composed by C. Ramachandra and sung also by himself only(under the name Chitalkar). It has been picturized on Ashok Kumar and others.

   
   




3. Hamaara Pyara Hindustan(Jhaansi Ki Rani – 1953): A song dedicated to the struggles and sacrifices of the martyrs of the freedom movement that took place in 1857, it has been penned by Pandit Radheshyam, composed by Vasant Desai, sung by Rafi and chorus and picturized on Mehtaab(playing the title role of the great queen of Jhaansi in the movie) and others.

   
   




4. Aao Bachchon Tumhen Dikhaayen Jhaanki Hindustan Ki(Jagriti - 1954): Penned and sung by Kavi Pradeep, composed by Hemant Kumar, and picturized on Abhi Bhattacharya and child artists, this song is a treat to listen to as well as watch because it shows and tells about the differents parts of India.

   
   




5. Yeh Desh Hai Veer Jawaano Ka, Albelon Ka, Mastaano Ka(Naya Daur – 1957): An immensely popular patriotic song of Rafi, the singer(with Balbir) as well as Dilip Kumar, the actor(with Ajeet and others). O.P. Nayyar has composed tune for the lyric of Saahir Ludhiyanvi. It is a song for the popular Bhangra dance of Punjab.

   
   




6. Kehni Hai Ek Baat Mujhe In Desh Ke Pehredaaron Se(Talaaq – 1958): A long forgotten but excellent song sung by Manna De and chorus and picturized on Rajendra Kumar and others. C. Ramachandra has composed the lyric of Kavi Pradeep. It bewares the watchdogs of the nation from the traitors hidden inside.

   
   




7. Yeh Maati Sabhi Ki Kahaani Kahegi(Navrang – 1959): This is a brilliant patriotic song whose lyrics has been penned by Bharat Vyas for the composition of C. Ramachandra and Mahendra Kapoor has sung it excellently with Mahipal performing on it with equal excellence.

   
   




8. Chhodo Kal Ki Baatein, Kal Ki Baat Puraani(Hum Hindustani – 1960): An evergreen patriotic song picturized on Sunil Dutt, showing as the progress being made by India post-independence. Penned by Prem Dhawan, composed by Usha Khanna and sung by Mukesh and chorus, this song gives the message of leaving the past behind and moving ahead.

   
   




9. Hothon Pe Sachaai Rehti Hai, Jahaan Dil Mein Safaai Rehti Hai(Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai – 1960): A great praising the spirit of truthfulness, innocence and cleanliness in hearts prevailing in India. Raj Kapoor has performed on the voice of Mukesh. Shankar Jaikishan have composed the extra-ordinary lyric of Shailendra.

   
   

10.   Nanha Munna Raahi Hoon, Desh Ka Sipaahi Hoon(Son of India – 1962): A very popular song sung by Shaanti Mathur and chorus and picturized on Master Saajid. Naushad has composed the lyric of Shakeel Badayuni.

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