Thanks to our belligerent
'neighbours', we would not be half as patriotic
as we are otherwise. As they cause problems across
our borders, what they witness in return is a
supreme display of solidarity from our side. Soldiers
lay down their lives. Civilians rise up, close
ranks and come forward to extend both moral support
and material help. And in such difficult times,
to wake up the dormant patriot in all of us, Indian
films and more particularly Hindi films have played
a great role, down the years.
As we all know, since its advent, the Hindi film
medium has developed not only as a mode of entertainment
but as an alternative form of chronicle as well.
So in all these years, not only it has entertained
the masses, but championed the social and political
issues of the time as well. And along the way,
it has become fairly successful in playing the
role of an alert watchman, hollering 'Jagte Raho'
in regular intervals. Hence not only during freedom
struggle but during India's other wars as well,
Hindi films have commemorated India's victories
and condemned the enemies of the other side. So
down the years, what we have reaped is a rich
harvest of war flicks and a treasure of patriotic
songs.
Dekho Veer Jawano Apne , Khoon Pe Yeh Ilzaam
Na Aaye, Maa Na Kahe Ki Mere Bete, Waqt Pada To
Kaam Na Aaye - This was how a lame Rajesh
Khanna exhorted the platoons of soldiers going
to the battle field in J Omprakash's Aakraman.
In this 1973 film (Lyrics: Anand
Bakshi, Music: Laxmikant - Pyarelal, singer:
Kishore Kumar),
the the issue was not Kargil but liberation of
Bangladesh. What we witnessed in Kashmir few years
back was nothing but the repetition of the same
old story.
 But
it was not always Pakistan that provoked patriotism
in us. Before it, it was the prerogative of the
'firangs'. During the pre-independence days, Akhand
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
Door Hato Ae Duniyawaalo, Hindusthan Hamara
Hai (Kismet (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 World War II. But when the
Indian freedom fighters lapped up the song and
used it as a slogan against the British, its real
design dawned on them. By then it was too late.
When India finally got its much awaited freedom,
its euphoria stayed with the people well beyond
a decade . Each successive Independence day anniversary
was celebrated with increased enthusiasm and fervor.
Films were made retracing the days of freedom
struggle and enumerating the dreams and ambitions
of a young India.
In Hemen Gupta's 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 Hemant Kumar's chorus by singing
it with much feeling and a rare flourish.
Talk of patriotic numbers and many more film songs
of such high calibre come to mind. Songs like
Ae Watan Ae Watan, Mera Rang De Basanti
Chola, Sarfaroshi ki Tamanna Hai,
Pagdi Sambhal Jatta - all from Shaheed
(1965), for instance and Watan ki Raah
Mein (Shaheed
(1948)) Apni Azadi ko Hum (Leader
(1964)) and the title track of Hindustan
ki Kasam (1973).
Kaifi Azmi has a significant contribution to the
repertoire of Hindi film lyrics in the genre of
patriotic songs. The patriotic song that he wrote
for Chetan Anand's Haqeeqat
(1964), later on became a classic of this
genre and unfailingly moves one tremendously even
today - Kar Chale Hum Fida Jaan-O-Tan Saathiyo.What
touches one is the concern the martyrs show about
the future of the motherland, while laying down
their life with the refrain Ab Tumhare Hawale
Watan Saathiyo. The soulful rendering by
Mohammad Rafi,
the dynamic orchestration of Madan Mohan with
its extensive use of vocal chorus and orchestra
violins, all leave an intense impact on the listeners.
But all patriotic songs of 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 Hindi films have a cache of cool
compositions too, to neutralize such opprobrium.
Songs like Aao Bachon Tumhein Dikhayein Jhanki
Hindustan ki (Jagriti
(1954)) Jahan Daal Daal Par (Sikandar-E-Azam
(1965)), Mere Desh Mein (Jigri
Dost (1969)) and Yeh Desh Hai Veer Jawano
Ka (Naya Daur (1957)) not only highlight
the great social traditions and values of our
ancient civilization, but give a glimpse of our
history and heritage as well.
Chhodo Kal Ki Baatien (Hum Hindustani
(1960)) is one more feel-good patriotic song
that deserves a special mention. Because this
can very well be called one of the best compositions
of 'not so prolific lady composer' Ms Usha Khanna.
The spirited playback singing of Mukesh
is suitably complemented by the handsome and gentlemanly
presence of Sunil
Dutt on screen. The wonderful use of mandolin
and accordion in orchestration along with the
vocal chorus make for an enriching listening experience.
Raj Kapoor
was a great lover of life and humanity. Needless
to say, songs in his films like Honthon Pe
Sachchai Rahati Hai or Mera Naam Raju
(Jis Desh Mein Ganga Bahati Hai (1960))
preached non-violence and advocated peaceful co-existence.
The above numbers at the same time extolled the
other virtues of this land of the Ganges and the
Himalayas. And it wont be an over statement, if
we describe Mere Desh ki Dharti (Upkaar
(1967)) as an alternative national anthem
of our country. In one interview, lyricist Gulshan
Bawra said, in his 45 year long career, he has
written some 250 songs. But what makes him proud
is, Mere Desh ki Dharti, voted as one
of the all time best patriotic songs of India.
In fact, when actor Manoj Kumar wanted to be a
producer-director too, many of his filmland colleagues
were skeptical. "All cannot be like Raj Kapoor",
he was taunted. But 'Bharat 'went ahead and launched
Upkaar. And thank God for that! Otherwise
the Hindi film music lovers would be deprived
of patriotic gems like Mere Desh ki Dharti
and subsequetly Purba Suhani Ayee Re
and Hai Preet Jahan ki Reet Sada (Purab
Aur Paschim (1970)).
When showman Subhash Ghai made Karma (1986),
the country had come a long way since its independence.
The freedom struggle looked like a far off event.
A sepia tone memory. Why , even the euphoria generated
by the Indo-Pak war of 1971 had long died down.
Instead it was the aftermath of 'Operation Blue
Star' and the assassination of Indira Gandhi.
A difficult juncture of time for the country.
Society was riven by terrorist activities and
insurgency. The people were dazed and demoralized.
Ghai's magnum opus could not have come in a more
appropriate time. Karma is a film, where,
led by a police officer, three reformed convicts
fight traitors and terrorists. Ghai wanted to
make it a protest film. So he conceived the song
Aye Watan Tere Liye as a slogan against
violence, bloodshed and terrorism. Anand Bakshi's
meaningful lyrics and Laxmikant-Pyaerlal's evocative
composition bracketed it among the all time best
patriotic songs. Try These lines - Hindu Muslim
Sikh Isahi , Humkaram Humnaam Hai, Jo Kare Inko
Juda, Majhab Nahin Ilzaam Hai. Or that way
give a look to these lines too. Loot Rahein
Hain Aap to Apne Gharon Ko Loot Kar, Khelte Hain
Bekhabar Apni Lahoo Se Holiyaan. If the earlier
line decries communalism, the other is a poignant
revelation of the absurdity of violence and self
destructive bloodbath.
But before one rips the present generation apart
as denim clad, mobile flaunting mobikers, one
needs to hang on a while. More so, after they
have so overwhelmingly accepted 'Gandhigiri' and
Lage Raho Munnabhai (2006). Admittedly today's
youths are crazy about all the junk that money
can buy for them. But it will be unfair to pooh
pooh at their patriotism because of their fixation
with cola drinks, i-pods and IT jobs. And if they
are out to buy desh bhakti as a consumer brand
then the media-market nexus is equally at fault.
Otherwise, today's 'Bermuda Brigade' too has its
own body of songs, propagating spaghetti patriotism.
Like East Or West India is the Best (Judwaa
(1997), It Happens Only In India
(Pardesi Babu (1998)) and I Love
My India (Pardes (1997)). No problem,
if these songs sound like 'hinglish homage' to
Hindustan. So long they love their motherland,
one can very well overlook the noise and nuisance
of today's youth.
One more patriotic song of today's time that deserves
an analysis is AR Rahman's composition Bharat
Humko Jaan Se Pyaara Hai (Roja (1992)).
Here Hariharan's slow and sombre words are contrasted
with racy and exciting trumpet and vocal chorus.
And this juxtaposition of languorous tuning with
galloping orchestration leaves an amazing impact
on the listeners.
Roja introduced AR Rahman to the wide
Hindi film world as a trend setting and futuristic
film music director. A true icon and fitting role
model of today's generation. He proved this credential
once more when he had this avant garde composition
of Vande Mataram. Rahman himself is a
very good singer in the line of RD
Burman. And almost in all of his films lends
his voice to one or two songs. So he sang this
song too. Not only that, acted in its music video
as well. This modern version of Vande Mataram
became so popular that, for a while people forget
the original composition. Some years later, Rahman
again composed semi-patriotic songs in Lagaan.
Baar Baar Haan Bolo Yaar Haan Apni Jeet Ho
Unki Haar Haan - he transformed these simple
words of Javed
Akhtar into a powerful chorus of bonding,
loyalty and gritty determination. But when Rahman
sang Yeh Desh Hai Tera Swades Hai Tera
(Swades (2005)), this
time, the purpose was not to boil blood or accelerate
the heart beats. Rather, this cool, soothing,
soul stirring song was a wake up call to all those
dislocated NRIs, who are longing for the homeland
in far off countries.
The roll call of patriotic songs will be incomplete
without remembering the songs dedicated to Gandhiji.
After the motherland, perhaps it is Mahatma, who
is eulogized and venerated most by we Indians.
No doubt, the father of the Nation has inspired
quite a few word smiths to wax lyrical. The most
memorable are Suno Suno Ae Duniyanwalo Bapuji
Ki Amar Kahani or De Di Hamein Azaadi
(Jagriti) and Sun Le Bapu Yeh Paigham
(Baalak (1969)) .
Along with film songs , a number of non-film patriotic
songs also make rounds of radio, television and
celebration pandals during national days. Songs
like Jhanda Ooncha Rahe Hamara, Saare
Jahaan se Achha and Hum Honge Kaamyab
have by now achieved cult status. But one song
above everything that deserves special mention
is Kavi Pradeep's Ae Mere Watan ke Logon,
sung by Lata Mangeshkar
under the baton of C Ramchandra. Pradeep wrote
it during the Indo-China war of 1962, to pay homage
to our martyrs, in this 'uncalled for' war. Pandit
Nehru was so moved by this profound and poignant
composition that, it brought tears in his eyes.
During the recent Kargil conflict also, India
paid homage to the slain soldiers, quoting lines
from this immortal song.
Be it film or non-film songs, patriotic numbers
have become part of our collective memory. And
not only they are spiritedly heart-warming, they
have immense nostalgic value and a sense of pride
too. Jai Hind!
Tulsidas Mishra is an alumnus of the
Film and Television Institute of India (FTII),
Pune with specialization in Film Direction (1994).
He is presently based in Hyderabad where he works
for the ETV Network.
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