MUMBAI: The historic voice and speech by India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawarharlal Nehru on 15 August, 1947 declaring India as a free nation, is still etched in our memories. His voice even after 69 years of independence brings goose bumps and makes us rejoice freedom.

While Nehru’s voice is a personification for the Declaration of Independence, similarly there are singers who have become identities of particular songs. These singers reminds us of the price our freedom fighters paid for an independent India. On the occasion of India’s 68th Independence Day, Radioandmusic.com brings to you songs, which evoke feelings of patriotism.

Lata Mangeshkar:

Paying tribute to the martyrs the Sino-Indian War, the Nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar, performed this track on 27 January, 1963 at the National Stadium in the presence of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in New Delhi on account of Republic Day (26 January) in 1963, just two months after the end of the war. Not only the Prime Minister, but the nation too was moved to tears. Penned by Kavi Pradeep and composed by C Ramchandra, each word of the song will make the listener emotional. The Melody Queen has also crooned ‘Vande Mataram’ for her single.

Mohammed Rafi:

You name the song and he has sung it. The maestro, Mohammed Rafi in the yesteryears, has sung some unforgettable tracks like ‘Kar Chale Hum Fida’ from the movie ‘Haqeeqat’, ‘Apni Azadi Ko Hum Hargis Mita Sakte Nahin’ from ‘Leader’, ‘Desh Ka Yaroo’ from the film ‘Naya Daur’. But the track ‘Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna’, from ’Shaeed’ is the most memorable one. The track is originally a poem, which was written by Bismil Azimabadil in 1921. The poem was written as a tribute to freedom fighters like Ashfaqullah Khan, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev and Chandrashekhar Azad.

Mahendra Kapoor:

Who can forget songs like ‘Mera Rang De Basanti’ from ‘Shaeed’ and ‘Mere Desh Ki Dharti’ from ‘Upkar’? The way Mahendra Kapoor sings these with full-throated vigour, but without going off key, suits this particular genre of music. The tracks fill you with pride as they go on to praise the motherland.

Manna Dey:

The famous track, ‘Aye Mere Pyare Watan’ from the film ‘Kabuliwala’ sung by Manna Dey, is something that he is best remembered for. Dey's baritone voice is something that adds to the feeling of the song.

AR Rahman:

Whether it was the hums in the backgrounds of the movie ‘Rang De Basanti’ or the whole track ‘Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera’ from the film ‘Swadesh’, his vocals have always stuck the right chord. In 1997, the Mozart of Madras released an entire album ‘Vande Mataram’ featuring the song ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam.’ Needless to say, it was yet another hit. Rahman has also been featured in the new version of ‘Mile Sur Mera Tumhara,’ which released under Times Music.

Hariharan:

Remember the scene in the movie ‘Roja’, where Arvind Swamy risks his life just to save the flag from getting burnt? The soothing song ‘Bharat Humko Jaan Se Pyara Hai’ by Hariharan, still has the power to give you goose bumps. The soulful voice of Hariharan, adds the element of patriotism to the song.

Sukhwinder Singh:

Known for his rustic vocals, the first patriotic song crooned by Sukhwinder Singh was the track ‘Des Mere’ from the film ‘The Legend of Bhagat Singh’. However, the track ‘Hindustan Kaha Hai’ from the film ‘Kaanchi’ will pump your blood with the feeling of national sentiments. The lyrics of the track are very punchy as it projects the present situation of the country.

Sonu Nigam:

Sonu Nigam's mellifluous voice in tracks like, ‘Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna’ and ‘Mera Rang De Basanti Chola’ from the film ‘The Legend of Bhagat Singh’ and ‘Zindagi Maut Na Ban Jaye’ from the film ‘Sarfarosh’, evoke feelings of patriotism. He was featured in the remake of ‘Vande Mataram’ by Bickram Ghosh. His voice was also featured on the new version of ‘Mile Sur Mera Tumhara,’ which released under Times Music. But out of all these songs, his track ‘Sarfaoshi Ki Tamana’ is the best.

Kavita Krishnamurthy:

Do you remember the line ‘Yeh Mera India, I Love My India’ from the film ‘Pardes’, in the year 1997? That was Kavita Krishnamurthy singing her heart out in praise for the motherland. Her vocals in the film, ‘Karma’ for the track ‘Har Karam Apna Karenge,’ have also been well appreciated. Krishnamurthy was featured both in old and new versions of ‘Mile Sur Mera Tumhara.’

Malakshmi Iyer:

Out of the melodies that she has sung, Malahlaksmi Iyer’s song ‘Des Rangeela’ from the movie ‘Fanaa’ is best remembered. The song goes on to praise the country and its people. The movie ‘Fanaa,’ was about the tussle between patriotism and love.