New Delhi-On both Independence day and Republic day, we suddenly start listening to patriotic numbers like Aye Watan, Aye Watan, Watan Ki Raha Main, Mera Rang De Basanti Chola (Saheed) , Apni Azadi Ko Hum (Leader), title track of Hindusthan Ki Kasam and Kar Chale Hum Fida (Haqeeqat). Listening to these songs make you nostalgic and fill the heart with nationalistic fervor as well.Dekho Veer Jawano Apne , Khoon Pe Yeh Ilzaam Na Aaye, Maa Na Kahe Ki Mere Bete, Waqt Pada To Kaam Na Aaye (Anand Bakshi/Laxmi-Pyre/Kishor Kumar)
This was how a lame Rajesh Khanna exhorted the platoons of soldiers going to the battle field in J Omprakash`s Aakraman. In this war flick of 1973, the enemies whom the sapoots were out to slay were Pakistanis.
Only the issue was not Kargil but liberation of Bangladesh. So what we witnessed in Kashmir few years back was nothing but the repetition of the same old story.
But it was not always Pakisthan that provoked war frenzy in us. Before it, it was the prerogative of the `firangis`. During the pre-independence days, Akand Bharat was the fondly cherished dream of the freedom fighters. Hence during the Quit India movement, Kavi Pradeep , a great patriot as he was, wrote Dur Hato Aie Duniyawalo, Hindusthan Hamara Hai (Kismat, 1943).
It is said that the producer of this film Sashadhar Mukharjee was very skeptical about the reaction of the British rulers. But Pradeep somehow persuaded him to include the song in the film. At the same time he convinced the British rulers that, the song was targeted at the Japanese and German who were foes of England at that time, due to 2nd World War. But when the Indian freedom fighters lapped up the song and used it as a slogan against Britishers, the real design dawned on them. But then it was too late.
After the long drawn struggle, when India got the much awaited freedom, its euphoria stayed with the people well beyond a decade. Each successive anniversary was celebrated with increased enthusiasm and fervor. Films were made retracting the days of struggle and enumerating the dreams and ambitions of a young India. In Anandmath(1952), Hemant Kumar set Bankim Chandra`s Vande Mataram to a racy and rabble rousing composition, (which was totally opposite to the slow, solemn classical composition that our radio stations play in the morning everyday.)
And Lata Mangeshkar from her side complimented Hemnant Kumar`s chorus by singing it with feeling and a rare flourish.Talk of patriotic numbers and many more film songs of such caliber come to mind.
Songs like Aye Watan, Aye Watan, Watan Ki Raha Main, Mera Rang De Basanti Chola(Saheed) , Apni Azadi Ko Hum (Leader), title track of Hindusthan Ki Kasam and Kar Chale Hum Fida (Haqeekat) not only make one nostalgic but fill the heart with nationalistic fervor as well.
But all the patriotic songs of the Hindi films don`t sound like war cries. Hence before some critic dubs our film makers as jingoists, who advocate fervent nationalism and fierce fanaticism, he should think twice because they have a cache of cool compositions that neutralize the opprobrium.
Songs like Aao Bachchon Tumhe Dikhaon( Jagruti) Jahan Daal, Daal Par (Sikandar-E-Azam), Mere Desh Main (Jigri Dost), Yeh Desh Hai Veer Jawano Ka (Naya Daur), are all meaningful and benign compositions. These songs not only highlight the great social traditions and moral values of our ancient civilization, but give a glimpse of our history and heritage as well. And Chodo Kal Ki Baaten (Hum Hindusthani) deserves a special mention, because this can very well called one of the best compostion of not so prolific lady composer Ms Usha Khanna.
The youthful and spirited playback singing of Mukesh is able compemented by handsome and gentlemanly presence of Sunil Dutt on screen. And the sleek use of mandolin and accordion in orchestration and the pleasant vocal chorus that support the lead voices have a heart warming impact.
Mere Desh Ki Dharti (Upkaar) - if Raj Kapoor was die hard optimist, Manoj Kumar is a hard core pacifist. Needless to say songs of their films like Honthon Pe Sachchai Rahati Hai, Mera Naam Raju (Jis Desh Main Ganga Bahati Hai) and Hai Preet Jahan Ki Reet Sada (Purab Aur Pachchim) preached non-violence and advocated peaceful co-existence.
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