Here’s a look at some patriotic songs that forever give you goosebumps

Assam se Gujarat tak, Bengal se Maharashtra tak, Jaati kai dhun ek hain, Bhaasha kai sur ek hai, Kashmir se Madras tak, Keh do sabhi hum ek hain, Aawaaz do hum ek hain … Jago … was the sentiment as India woke up to the news of Operation Sindoor; two women in uniform — Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sophia Qureshi — leading the press briefing soon after! Any doubts of partisanship that the code name gave way to were soon allayed and the nation came together to rejoice the avenging of Pahalgam terror attack.

If people were not bursting crackers or being part of the bike or torch rallies, posts on social media underlined the jubilant mood.

Patriotic songs, a celebration of Indian courage and valour, set the mood. Here’s a look at songs that bring the nation together, some full on josh, others paying soulful tributes to nation’s bravehearts; some timeless like Lata Mangeshkar’s Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon or the rather recent Ae Watan from Raazi.

Maa Tujhhe Salaam

Composed by music legend AR Rahman and sung by Shankar Mahadevan, the song is almost two decades old but still doesn’t fail to move us to the core. Rukna kabhi seekha nahin, Jhukna hamein aata nahin…this, with a chorus of Vande Matram, fill one with patriotic fervour.

Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon

Written by Kavi Pradeep and composed by C Ramachandra, the song famously moved India’s first Prime Minister Pt Jawaharlal Nehru to tears when the legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar sang it on the occasion of Republic Day in New Delhi in 1963.

Ae Mere Pyare Watan

One of the most memorable Hindi patriotic songs by Manna Dey, it has an emotional touch and a soothing feel that transports you into a space of complete devotion and earnest love for your motherland.

Luka Chhupi

This AR Rahman composition and Prasoon Joshi’s lyrics are sure to bring tears in your eyes. A mother’s ode to her son, who dies in the line of duty, this song generates goosebump moments.

Desh Mere Desh Mere

This patriotic song imbues you in a feeling of complete surrender for the country’s good. Smooth and melodious, this one is written by Sameer and sung by AR Rahman and Sukhwinder Singh.

Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera

One of the AR Rahman’s top patriotic songs, this evokes a spirit of nationalism. Whether you are in India or far away in some other country, you feel the unbreakable bond with your country with this patriotic song.

Bharat Humko Jaan Se Pyaara Hai

One true tribute to multi-religious fabric of India, written by PK Mishra and music composed by AR Rahman, this song sung by Hariharan still moves the soul.

Jai Ho

Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire had the song Jai Ho — a catchy and thunderous tune. Written by Gulzar and Tanvi Shah, it has been sung by Sukhwinder Singh, Tanvi Shah, Mahalakshmi Iyer and Vijay Prakash.

Sandese Aate Hain

This song from the film Border holds importance not only because of it patriotic touch, but also the romantic feel of a soldier longing to see his lover and family. Written by Javed Akhtar and sung by Sonu Nigam, Roop Kumar Rathod and chorus, this is one hopeful song of victory.

Rang De Basanti

AR Rahman has undoubtedly understood the pulse of patriotism. This playful patriotic song is high on fervour and zeal. With Daler Mehndi’s energetic tone, the song has a flavour of patriotism that is sure to heighten your spirits.

Mera Rang De Basanti Chola

Sonu Nigam has excellently maneuvered his silken voice to come up with this piece that makes us sit back, reflect upon the Indian freedom struggle and get overwhelmed with a sense of patriotism.

Dil Diya Hai Jaan Bhi Denge

This song has stayed with one and for all the right reasons. From music to lyrics, this patriotic song is one gem of a composition that has been sung by Mohammad Aziz and Kavita Krishnamurthy.

Teri Mitti

A soulful number from Kesari, written by Manoj Muntashi, this one is an ultimate ode to one’s nation. Music by Arko and sung by B Praak, the song stirs one’s soul with the sentiment of sacrifice for the desh ki mitti!

Between old hits and new numbers — Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Sathiyo, Sholay (RRR), Hai Preet Jahan (Puran Aur Pashchim), Lehra Do (86) to the recent Challa from Uri —are some of the other songs that capture the true essence of love, sacrifice and valour.

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