Top 20 new age patriotic songs in India

Watch the patriotic songs from movies like Chak De! India, Lakshya, Rang De Basanti, Sarfarosh, Roja and albums like Vande Mataram.

Republic Day is around the corner and you will soon start hearing the familiar classic patriotic songs on radio, television and in neighbourhood homes. But there are a lot of new, modern patriotic songs – from movies like Chak De! India, Lakshya, Rang De Basanti, Sarfarosh and many more, and albums like Vande Mataram – in the last two decades, which are often overshadowed by the unforgettable numbers that have an independence struggle hangover.

Here’s a jukebox of some of these songs for the young crowd of India, many of whom are part of the new political revolution in India. Coincidentally, many numbers have been composed by maestro A R Rahman who himself is a symbol of communal harmony.

1. Zindagi Maut Na Ban Jaye – Sarfarosh

This Sonu Nigam number is soulful and was very apt for the Aamir Khan movie that dealt with terrorism.

2. Rang De Basanti Title song

Daler Mehndi peps it up in this energetic song inspired by the classic Mera Rang De Basanti Chola from Shaheed.

3. Bharat Humko Jaan – Roja

The Kashmir issue was tackled in this Mani Ratnam film. A young couple from south India goes for a honeymoon and the groom is kidnapped by jihadis. This song truly epitomises the spirit of the movie.

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4. Bombay Theme – Bombay

The Mani Ratnam movie was about the 1992-93 communal riots in Bombay, and this instrumental theme although dedicated to Mumbai reverberated in the entire country.

5. Aisa Des Hai Mera – Veer-Zaara

It was a romantic movie set in the olden times, about cross-border love between an Indian boy (Shahrukh Khan) and Pakistani girl (Preity Zinta). This lovely patriotic song is when the boy is singing paeans to his country, and the girl points out that both their countries are similar. ‘Tere des ko maine dekha tere des ko maine jaana, Jaane kyun ye lagta hai mujhko jaana pehchaana’, she replies to him. He agrees ‘Aisa des hain mera ho, jaise des hain tera’. The lovers compare their respective countries in a positive way promoting harmony.

6. Satyamev Jayate – Satyamev Jayate TV show

Aamir Khan’s first TV show made an impression even before its premiere thanks to the patriotic song composed by Ram Sampath and written by adman and ace lyricist Prasoon Joshi. Satyamev Jayate was on ringtones soon after. Take a look.

7. Maa Tujhe Salaam – A R Rahman’s private album Vande Mataram

This was the music maestro’s first non-film, private album. He created waves simply by presenting India’s favourite Vande Mataram in a modern avatar. The music video, directed by the acclaimed Bharat Bala, also was very popular. Take a look.

8. Chale Chalo – Lagaan

It’s a highly motivational song, as the village bumpkins who have never played cricket prepare for a face-off with the colonial English to beat them in their own game – of cricket.

9. Kuch Kariya – Chak De! India title song

When we saw this song for the first time, we thought it was just a catchy number with a long-haired Shahrukh and his swagger in a hockey stadium. But when we saw the movie, the entire nation including us went berserk and realised the importance of this theme song in the film. Ever since, whenever India wins a match or a game in any sport, Kuch Kariya is sure to be played!

10. Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera – Swades

Starting with a shehnai-like instrument, nobody expected this A R Rahman song to be so good. It grows on you slowly and kills you. Very apt for a movie like Swades.