Music is eternal and timelessly powerful and has fueled countless times the spirit of freedom and oneness since time immemorial. No celebration reaches its crescendo when India prepares to celebrate its 78th Independence Day on August 15, 2024—without the pulsating and inspiring patriotic anthems that capture the spirit of our nation’s history and pride.
Here’s a list of twelve such patriotic anthems that would help you celebrate this Independence Day:
1. Vande Mataram
‘Vande Mataram’, a turn-of-the-century song of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, is evergreen, eulogizing in song the might and beauty of India. Having worked as a backbone of India’s freedom movement, it has been one of the prime forces promoting patriotism.
2. Maa Tujhe Salaam
The award-winning album Vande Mataram by A.R. Rahman is a modern classic that has captured great regard and love for the motherland, forming an intrinsic part of the celebration of Independence Day.
3. Mere Desh Ki Dharti
This was the title song in the 1967 film Upkaar, which gained fame for depicting the agrarian struggle powerfully associated with Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri’s slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.” It is a verse to hardworking growers and warriors of the country.
4. Mera Rang De Basanti Chola
This one’s from ‘The Legend of Bhagat Singh’: ‘Mera Rang De Basanti Chola’. An emblematic song like this would capture the revolutionary spirit of Bhagat Singh and match up to its historical relevance through its emotional depth.
5. Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon
‘Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon’ is possibly one of the most stirring tributes to the courage of the Indian soldier; all their sacrifices have been put into evocative words in the lyrics and even more so in the music. It is written by C Ramchandra and rendered in voice by Lata Mangeshkar.
6. Des Rangila
This 2006 song from the movie ‘Fanaa’, voiced by Mahalaxmi Iyer, through the song, shows the unity in India’s diversity and marks the date of great national pride.
7. Ae Watan
This song from the movie ‘Raazi’ arouses feelings of devotion and pride for the nation, with heart-pounding lyrics and amazingly heavy composition by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.
8. Rang De Basanti
This title track of the film is what Indian nationalism is all about in the most energizing beats and inspirational lyrics, denoting fun and togetherness.
9. Aisa Des Hai Mera
This song from the movie Veer-Zaara spells out magnificent cultural tapestry throughout India, filling every individual with immense pride and attachment towards the motherland.
10. Chakde India
Now, Salim-Sulaiman’s anthem ‘Chak de India’, vocalized by Sukhwinder Singh, inducts an attitude towards fraternity and national identity—a part that should be an inalienable part of any patriotic playlist.
11. Teri Mitti
‘Teri Mitti’ is a soulful tribute that provokes feelings of pride and compassion for the nation. Poetic lyrics with a soulful tune make this song a must-listen during Independence Day.
12. Lehra Do
‘Lehra Do’ from the film ’83’, celebrates the historic win of India in the 1983 Cricket World Cup. Just the strong score of the Song itself, let alone the lyrics evokes the emotions of jubilation and pride, on seeing that historic win.
So, feel free to add these patriotic anthems to your playlists, for that would rejuvenate the dose of patriotism within you to make this Independence Day memorable, be it the nostalgia or the first-time experience.
ANI