e+ chooses the musician's top 10 patriotic compositions.
Musical maestro A. R. Rahman has made India proud by winning the Golden Globe Award for Original Music Score in Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire, a first for any Indian musician. So we decided to let his music celebrate India's Republic Day (January 26). e+ chooses Rahman's top 10 patriotic compositions.
1. Bharat Humko Jaan Se - Roja (1992)
Rahman showed his patriotic colours in his debut musical score for the Tamil flick Roja, which was later dubbed in Hindi. Hariharan was applauded for his impeccable rendition of Bharat Humko Jaan Se.
2. Kashtiyan Bhi Ladh Gayi - Hindustani (1996)
The song was originally composed for Tamil blockbuster Indian, which was later dubbed in Hindi. Singers S. P. Bala Subramanium and Sadhana Sargam beautifully rendered the essence of the national freedom struggle.
3. Maa Tujhe Salaam - Vande Mataram album (1997)
Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay wrote the Indian national song Vande Mataram and Rahman reinvented it with his Maa Tujhe Salaam track in his album Vande. This album was released to mark India's 50th year
of independence.
4. Ishwar Allah - Earth (1998)
Set against the backdrop of communal riots during the partition of India and Pakistan, Javed Akhtar's lyrics and Rahman's soul-searching music preach the message of peace and unity.
5. Ek Tu Hi Bharosa - Pukar (2000)
Legendary Lata Mangeshkar renders a beautiful number based on national integration and faith in the pre-climax of this Anil Kapoor-starrer.
6. Mere Rang De Basanti & Sarfaroshi - The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002)
There were several Bollywood films on Bhagat Singh, all released in 2002 with similar titles, but nothing could beat the spirit of patriotism evoked in Sonu Nigam's emotionally-charged voice in Mere Rang De Basanti and Sarfaroshi.
7. Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera - Swades (2004)
Written by Prasoon Joshi and rendered by Rahman, this track evoked a sense of longing for one's land. This powerful song instilled a sense of patriotism in every Non-Resident Indian.
8. Azaadi & Desh Ki Mitti - Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose - The Forgotten Hero (2005)
Rahman backs the patriotic track Azaadi with a rising gusto and Nigam goes one step ahead with Desh Ki Mitti, in which he superbly evokes the feeling of pathos of homesick statesmen through Akhtar's brilliant lyrics. It's sad that not many have heard this musical score, which included tracks like Kadam Kadam, Hum Dilli Dilli and Jana Gana Mana (the Indian national anthem).
9. Mangal Mangal (Agni version) - Mangal Pandey (2005)
The song comes in three versions but it is the Agni version in which Kailash Kher sings with gusto to whip the fervor of revolution that eventually led to the famous revolt of 1857 against British rule.
10. Khoon Chala - Rang De Basanti (2006)
This thought-provoking ballad definitely inspired the youth to understand the pulse of their nation. Full marks to Joshi's lyrics, Mohit Chauhan's soothing voice and Rahman's restrained music.
