Come Republic day on January 26th or Independence day on August 15th, our nation is reverberating with the Indian Patriotic Songs over the loudspeakers. Be it at public functions, in residential colonies, homes, and now on the mobile phones across the length and breadth of the nation. Of course with the Indian diaspora all over the world.
These songs fill us with the joy that comes with the celebration of this ancient and sacred land. It connects with a sense of shared belongingness. They also bring out the responsibilities that we have towards the countries as its children or citizens.
Indian Patriotic Songs
You will enjoy, cherish, and revere the Indians who fought for the independence of the nation, be it the respected public personalities or the admired armed forces personnel who laid down their lives for the future of this great nation. These songs remind us of our golden past, our rich heritage, and the supreme sacrifices made by our ancestors. The best ones are at the end do scroll down to the last one.
Songs from Bollywood
Bollywood or the Indian Hindi movie industry has created and picturized several popular songs in the movies related to patriotism. The following list is not in any particular order, just listen/watch and cherish.
1. Yeh Desh Hai Veer Jawanon Ka – Naya Daur
This song set to the tune of Bhangra, with accompanying dance is one of my favorite patriotic songs. It fills you with pride for being born in India, and give you the motivation to get up and do something for the country. A very positive and encouraging song.
Lead actors Dilip Kumar and Vyjayantimala, Music by O. P. Nayyar, Lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi, Singers: Mohammed Rafi, Balbir.
2. Jahan Daal Daal Par Sone Ke Chidiya – Sikandar E Azam (1965)
Do read: Best Garba songs Dandiya Raas for your Navratri festivities
3. Bharat Ka Rahnewala Hoon – Purab Aur Paschim (1970)
I remember watching this song on all national holidays in Chitrahar on Doordarshan. For me, this song captures the essence of India, one of the rare ones that talks about its scientific and mathematical genius, one that talks about worshipping rivers, and one that says the world has moved ahead of us, may it still prosper more and more.
Singer Mahendra Kapoor, Music Director Kalyanji-Anandji, Lyricist Indeevar. Starring Manoj Kumar, Saira Banu, Ashok Kumar, Pran, Prem Chopra, Nirupa Roy, Vinod Khanna, Bharati, Manmohan, Kamini Kaushal. Director Manoj Kumar.
4. I Love My India – Pardes (1997)
This is a song that one would happily sing-along for the love of India. Not many listen to its lyrics but they are quite meaningful.
Singer Kavita Krishnamurthy, Composer Nadeem-Shravan, Starring Shahrukh Khan, Amrish Puri, Mahima Chaudhry, Apoorva Agnihotri, Alok Nath, Himani Shivpuri & Aditya Narayan. Director & Producer Subhash Ghai.
5. Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani (2000)
I love this song as it captures the dichotomies of us Indians, our ability to carry the good and the not so good with equal ease. I also like that it is a fun song, that would make you smile in a reflective way, while most patriotic songs tend to be serious.
Singer Udit Narayan, Lyrics by Javed Akhtar, Music Composer Jatin – Lalit, Starring Juhi Chawla & Shah Rukh Khan.
Do read: All-time great Ganpati songs classical & devotional
6. Mere Desh Ki Dharti – Upkar (1967)
This is a rooted song, rooted in the agrarian society that India continues to be. It talks about the farmer and the soldier, the two people who were most important when this film came out.
Sung by Mahendra Kapoor, Music Director Kalyanji-Anandji, Lyricist Gulshan Bawra, Starring Asha Parekh, Manoj Kumar. Director Manoj Kumar, Producer Manoj Kumar.
7. Aao Bachhon Tumhe Dikhaye – Jagriti (1954)
This kids song is something we performed on stage in school, so it is special. Now, I see it as a travel song, and I wonder if I can write a similar song someday to show the glory of my land.
1954 movie Jagriti starring Abhi Bhattacharya, Pranoti Ghosh, Bipin Gupta, and Rattan Kumar. Singer Kavi Pradeep, Music Director Hemant Kumar, Lyricist Kavi Pradeep, Director Satyen Bose
Aao Bachho Tumhe Dikhaye – Jagriti
8. Nanha Munna Rahi Hun – Son of India (1962)
This is another childhood song that we have all sung in schools, hoping to serve the country as a soldier. Priorities changed as we grew up, but this song always serves as a reminder of that innocent childhood dream.
Do read: Top 20 Rain songs from Bollywood – Monsoon music
9. Ae Watan Tere Liye – Karma (1986)
Again a song I remember from my childhood, that gave us goosebumps.
One of the popular songs from the movie Karma, sung by Mohammad Aziz & Kavita Krishnamurthy. Composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Directed & produced by Subhash Ghai.
10. Teri Mitti – Kesari (2019)
This soulful song is the latest in the series of patriotic songs. Soulful lyrics, sung beautifully, and for me, that bit of Punjabi tinge makes me nostalgic for the land that is known for its brave sons.
Singer B Praak, Music by Arko. Lyrics by Manoj Muntashir. Starring Akshay Kumar & Parineeti Chopra the movie was directed by Anurag Singh.
Do read: Top 20 Bollywood songs on trains – You must see
11. Sandese Aate Hai – Border (1997)
This song tells you the longing of a soldier posted on the borders away from their families, with letters and memories being their only connection. It helps you understand the sacrifices they make and the respect they deserve.
Sung by Sonu Nigam & Roop Kumar Rathod to the lyrics of Javed Akhtar. Music by Anu Malik, Directed by J P Dutta.
12. Mere Rang De Basanti Chola – The Legend Of Bhagat Singh (2002)
This song takes you back to the days of independence struggle when the likes of Bhagat Singh gave up their lives for earning independence for the country. It is a reminder of the enthusiasm these young men had to see the country independent. These songs make you think if you are doing justice to their sacrifice, especially for those of us born after independence.
Sung by Sonu Nigam & Manmohan Waris. Music Director A.R.Rahman. Lyricist Sameer. Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi.
13. Des Mere Des – The Legend Of Bhagat Singh (2002)
Another song from the pre-independence era that is full of love for India.
Sung by A.R. Rahman & Sukhwinder Singh.
Do read: Bollywood songs – Famous Indian destinations & monuments
14. Aye Mere Pyare Watan – Kabuliwala (1961)
Aye Mere Pyare Watan – the song is sung by legendary singer Manna Dey. Lyrics by Prem Dhawan.
Eternal Patriotic Songs
1. Mile Sur Mera Tumhara – Bhimsen Joshi
A musical that brought all the regions and languages of India together in one song. It was my generation’s most loved song, or maybe still is. It simply shows all the streams that come together to form India, just like different musical notes come together to form a song. The song featured all the stalwarts from the world of music, sports, and films of its time. A remake was made a couple of decades later but just could not stand the original.
2. Ye Mere Watan Ke Logon – Lata Mangeshkar
This song has made many of us cry. It reminds us of all those who have given up their life while protecting the boundaries of the country, the families they left behind. One of the most emotional patriotic songs we have.
A trivia – this song was to be originally to be sung by Asha Bhosle. But at the last minute, it was sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Rest is history.
Written by Kavi Pradeep and composed by C. Ramchandra. Commemorating the Indian soldiers who died during the 1962 Sino-Indian war.
It is considered to be one of the most prominent patriotic songs alongside “Jana Gana Mana” (the national anthem), “Vande Mataram” (the national song), and “Sare Jahan Se Accha”.
This version of Saxophone played by an Army Jawan is also a wonderful musical version you will love to listen to.
Do read: 20 Best Krishna Bhajans from Bollywood for Janmashtami
3. Maa Tuje Salaam by A R Rahman
We have already treated India as Bharat Mata or mother India, so here is a song that bows down to the mother.
4. Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja
Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja, Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja, Khushi Ke Geet Gaye Ja. This motivational song was the regimental quick march of the Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army. Written by Pt. Vanshidhar Shukla and composed by Ram Singh Thakuri. It was banned in India after World War II as “seditious”, which was subsequently lifted in August 1947. The song has since become a patriotic song in India. It is currently the regimental quick march of the Indian Army.
5. Vande Mataram Full Version by Sangeeta Katti
A tribute to our motherland. Renowned vocalist Sangeeta Katti Kulkarni renders the full version of Vande Mataram written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.
Do read: Hori Thumris – Must-listen playful music of Holi
6. Sare Jahan Se Accha
Sare Jahan Se Achha Hindustan Hamara sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Composed by Pt. Ravi Shankar and written by poet Muhammad Iqbal.
7 Jana Gana Mana Full Song
Our national anthem, what can one say about it.
Sampoorna Jana Gana Mana. A lyrical video celebrating Indianhood. Music by Sukhada Bhave-Dabke. Singers Bhakti Athavle-Bhave, Anuradha Gangal-Kelkar, Sudhanshu Gharpure, Nikhil Nijasure.
8. Jana Gana Mana in Bengali: Tagore’s full song
Jana Gana Mana full song comprising of five paragraphs by Rabindranath Tagore. Sung by Swagatalakshmi Dasgupta. The Bengali version or rather the original version by Tagore. Do listen to this one, you will like it.
Did we miss any of the significant, meaningful songs? Do let us know in the comment below, thanks. Although most of these songs are in the Hindi language, songs from all the Indian languages are welcome on this list.
Which are your favorite patriotic songs?
Hi Goyal.
These are beautiful songs that are also put behind a great culture. I really admire how expressively joyous the demonstrators are in the videos. You did a nice pick.
Cheers
thanks for listing lots of patriotic songs of India keep it up.
Great list. Also songs like Chak De India and Jai ho can be added
Thank you for awakening! You inspired through these videos.
Nice blog post, I’m glad to be here at your blog. Your blog post about “TOP 22 INDIAN PATRIOTIC SONGS” I read, it’s really awesome. I really enjoy your post. It is written with proper research and hard work. I’ll often visit your blog for the latest stuff like that.
Apni azaadi ko hum hargiz bhula sakte nahin
You picked up a good list. I remember some of our colleagues did a small dance and skit based on A.R. Rehman’s song Vande Matram at our college in Switzerland. It was not great in terms of 3 days’ preparation but the song and the music made the audience get up and appreciate.
Vande Matram is an old song that was represented by A R Rehman.
hey you have picked a very good list of patriotic songs all songs are awesome
Thank you for this great blog
Patriotic songs really gives you feels and evoke the dish Bhakti in ourselves. Maa tujhe Salam by A R Rehman and Mile sur mera tungstate by Joshi hi is my personal favourite. I still remember during my childhood on weekends Mile sur mera aur tumahara will telecast on DD national channel.
Nice
Found it really helpful
Thank you 💗