Jhanda Uncha Rahe Hamaara!

1. Jahan Daal Daal par sone ki from the movie Sikandar-e-Azam :- A few decades since Independence, most of the movie aimed at igniting the patriotism dying down in the hearts of the Indians (in the wake of Partition and the initial problems faced during Independence). Some of the best patriotic songs were composed during this time! And most of the movies had such patriotic songs whether required or not!! This song from the movie Sikandar-e-Azam, is one of my most favorite songs of all time. Not just for the fact that we had one a prize by singing this song in a group singing competition, but also that it had left a deep impression on my young heart! It wonderfully sang the glory of India during the yester years, at the time of advent of Alexander. Beautifully picturized, with Prithviraj kapoor majestically adorned on the elephant as Raja Pourava, the song had the most idealistic picture of India!
2. Chodo kal ki baatein kal ki baat puraani from the movie Hum Hindustani :- Righto.. lets leave the past to the past, and set forth towards modernization and development! Yeah! thatz what the whole song was about! Soulful and inspiring voice of Mukesh adorns the lyrics written by Prem dhawan. Every line of the lyrics breathes of freshness, a fresh start and new goals!
3. Mere desh ki dharti sona ugle from the movie Upkaar :- Manoj Kumar, probably the one actor who made sure that his movies had patriotic songs, is featured in this song! He is a farmer, who later turns into a soldier, and finally returns to his farm in the end! The movie had many hit numbers, and none equal to the one mentioned!
4. Dil diya hai jaan bhi denge from the movie Karma :- A big banner production, a plethora of stalwarts, lilting songs were the hallmark of the movie – Karma. This particular song and most of the ones mentioned herein were a regular on the Rangoli program (featured every Sunday morning) during national festivals. The song was sung by Aunradha Paudwal and Mohd. Aziz, written by Anand Bakshi.
5. E mere watan ke logon sung by Lata Mangeshkar :- I would not dispute the choice of the singer here! Not just Jawaharlal Nehru, every common man would break down listening to this song. The lyrics that tug at the strings of your heart have been rendered equally mesmerizingly by Lata Mangeshkar. This song would feature in my testimonials for her singing prowess – not that she needs one! 😉
6. E mere pyaare watan from the movie Kabulliwalah :- Those of the people who have read Kabulliwalah by Rabindranath Tagore, would certainly agree with me, that this song has wonderfully captured the mood and tone of the prime character of the movie! The yearning that he has for his motherland is extremely moving. Manna dey excels in this song that is beyond any words to describe and extol. What more can one expect when it is Gulzar who writes the lyrics!
7. Ek tu hi bharosa Ek tu hi sahaara from Pukar :- Okay! Lata is simply divine! I give it to her! If she can’t make the heart go out for a song, not many can revive that song! Lataji’s voice, ARR’s music, the voices of the children have been so deftly used in this song, almost as if its the future of the country calling out for the grace of the Lord above! Thumbs up for this song.
8. Mere desh mein pawan chale purvaayi from the movie Jigari Dost :- Yeddanoder Mohd. Rafi number, full of life and vigor describing the beauty of India with all fervor that his voice could muster for a song like this! (Not to mention that it had to suit the “Jumpin’ Jack’s” excitement!!). The picturization in lush green fields, and the picturesque backdrop of the high mountains, this song is also a visual treat!
9. Aa ab laut chalen from the movie jis desh mein ganga behti hai :- A bunch of reformed outlaws returning to the mainstream life with Mukesh crooning for Raj Kapoor! The distant voice… “aajaa re… aajaa re.. aajaa aajaa” seemingly portraying the way the land is calling out for them! Of the many patriotic numbers that were featured in Raj Kapoor’s movies time and again, I would rate this on the top! Followed right next by the song from the same very movie “Hoton pe sacchai rehti hai”. So why did I choose the former to be better than the latter? Hmm.. I’d say for the message that the song had provided subtly for the ones who had left their mother land for good! (laakh lubhaaye mahal paraaye apna ghar phir apna ghar hai). If one were to see deeply most of the songs in the movies were portraying the trends during each era! Holding a mirror to the ongoing events on the national front!
10. Ekla chalo from the movie Bose – The forgotten hero :- The opening lines are taken from a poem written by Rabindranath Tagore, one of Mahatma Gandhi’s favorites! The original poem is ofcourse extremely inspiring in not just a patriotic sense, but even otherwise for an everyday life! ARR’s music and Sonu Nigam’s voice have given the necessary boost required for Javed’s lyrics. As for the song, it speaks at length about the determination in the heart of the main protagonist! Much as Bose had to stand alone, after the Congress he so much believed in had deserted him!
11. Desh ki mitti also from the movie Bose – The forgotten hero :- Also in the voice of Sonu Nigam, is a song that reminisences the various aspects of motherland. I guess this song is used when Subhash Chandra Bose had to leave the nation to muster the army! The song is well sung, and portrays the various climates, and geographical beauty of India. Javed saab’s lyrics has as usual worked wonders, and this song shall certainly be a hit amidst the non-resident Indians.

I still very vividly remember the way we all celebrated the National Festivals more importantly – Independence and Republic Days. The programs always started with a beautiful song “atha swAgataM shubha swAgataM aanaMda maMgaLa maMgaLaM ita niyam bhArata bhAratam“. I still hum this song, but alas! have long forgotten the lyrics of it! I have looked for this song in several places, but to no avail! There are so many meaningful songs that have passed out into the oblivion! It’s a tragedy that we have missed out on so many things amidst the growing rat race!