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News18
an hour ago
- News18
15 Best Patriotic Songs For 79th Independence Day Celebrations
Last Updated: Independence Day Songs: Here is a list of 15 iconic songs that resonate with the spirit of freedom and unity, perfect for Independence Day celebrations. Independence Day Songs: India is celebrating its 79th Independence Day today, on August 15, commemorating the nation's freedom from British rule in 1947. It is a significant national holiday where people across the country remember and honour the sacrifices of freedom fighters. Nothing gets emotions going like music and Independence Day celebrations always feature slogans and powerful patriotic songs. Here is a list of iconic songs that resonate with the spirit of freedom and unity, perfect for Independence Day celebrations: Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera: Swades The song Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera from the movie Swades, by AR Rahman, is the one that captures the emotional connection with one's homeland. It has a soulful melody that inspires a sense of belonging and encourages contributions towards the nation's progress. The heartwarming and patriotic song from the film Border, Sandese Aate Hai, captures the emotions of soldiers stationed far away from home. Sung by Sonu Nigam and Roop Kumar Rathod, the song beautifully depicts the emotions and sacrifices of the armed forces, highlighting their love for the motherland. The song's music is composed by Anu Malik, with lyrics penned by Javed Akhtar. Kar Chale Hum Fida: Haqeeqat Kar Chale Hum Fida is a patriotic song from the 1964 film Haqeeqat, which depicts the Sino-Indian war. Sung by Mohammed Rafi, the song is a powerful tribute to the courage and sacrifice of Indian soldiers. The film featured Dharmendra and Priya Rajvansh. Another popular song is I Love My India from the 1997 film Pardes. The lyrics by Anand Bakshi blend traditional and contemporary elements. It is often associated with patriotism and has become a staple at events celebrating India's national pride. Hariharan, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Shankar Mahadevan and Aditya Narayan were the vocalists for the song, while the music was given by Nadeem-Shravan. Mere Desh Ki Dharti: Upkaar Mere Desh Ki Dharti is an iconic song from the 1967 film Upkaar. Featuring the legendary Manoj Kumar, the song became incredibly popular and played an important role in popularising Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri's impactful slogan Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan. Rang De Basanti: Rang De Basanti Rang De Basanti, a bhangra-infused song from the movie of the same name, is a popular patriotic track known for its energetic fusion of bhangra beats and its inspiring, spirited feel. Sung by Daler Mehndi and KS Chithra, with music composed by AR Rahman, it combines patriotic fervour with a lively, danceable rhythm. The song's lyrics celebrate the five elements and their role in evoking a sense of patriotism in every Indian. Teri Mitti: Kesari Sung by B Praak, Teri Mitti is another song to add to your list for the Independence Day celebration. The song is from the 2019 film Kesari, featuring Akshay Kumar. The lyrics for this patriotic song were given by Manoj Muntashir. It is a tribute to soldiers and their love for their motherland, expressing a soldier's willingness to sacrifice everything for the nation's prosperity and safety. Aye Watan Watan Mere Abaad Rahe Tu: Raazi The Bollywood film Raazi features a moving patriotic song titled Ae Watan. The song was sung by Arijit Singh and the music was composed by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy. The female version of the song was sung by Sunidhi Chauhan. Challa (Main Lad Jaana) from the movie URI is a Punjabi bhangra-rock fusion anthem that portrays a warrior's unwavering commitment to fight for his country. The song's lyrics express the soldier's readiness to fight until his last breath, even willing to die in battle for victory. Fateh Kar Fateh: Fateh Fateh Kar Fateh is a powerful anthem from Sonu Sood's directorial debut, Fateh. The title track of the film embodies the protagonist's fight for justice. It is composed by the duo Haroon-Gavin, with lyrics by Mandeep Khurana and sung by Arijit Singh. Lehra Do: 83 The movie 83, directed by Kabir Khan, tells the story of India's 1983 Cricket World Cup victory, with Ranveer Singh portraying Kapil Dev. Lehra Do, sung by Arijit Singh, is a powerful anthem within the film, highlighting the team's determination and the country's pride through evocative lyrics and compelling music. The song is featured during a key montage, intensifying the emotional impact of the team's journey. Sung by Mahalaxmi Iyer, with music by Jatin-Lalit and lyrics by Prasoon Joshi, the popular patriotic song is from the 2006 film Fanaa. The song evokes a strong sense of national pride and loyalty, making it a common feature of Independence Day celebrations in India. Heer Aasmani: Fighter Fighter's song Heer Aasmani celebrates the camaraderie and dedication of the Indian Air Force's Air Dragons squad. The song highlights the pilots' strong bonds formed during training and downtime. The film features Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone and Anil Kapoor. Mera Rang De Basanti Chola: The Legend of Bhagat Singh The revolutionary anthem Rang De Basanti Chola is from the movie The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002). Sung by Sonu Nigam and Manmohan Waris, this powerful and iconic song has been reinvented and recreated throughout the years, but its spirit remains the same. The film stars Ajay Devgn as the fearless freedom fighter Bhagat Singh. Kandhon Se Milte Hain Kandhe: Lakshya Kandhon Se Milte Hain Kandhe is a powerful song from the 2004 film Lakshya. It encapsulates the spirit of the Indian Army, emphasising unity, camaraderie and dedication to the nation. It highlights the bonds between soldiers, their shared experiences and their unwavering commitment to each other and their country, making it an ideal anthem for the celebration. The lyrics of the song were given by Javed Akhtar, while the music was by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. view comments First Published: August 15, 2025, 06:23 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Books to teach children about India's rich history and culture
The Indian children's publishing industry has sounded the bugle for a new kind of revolution — one that makes reading history cool. From graphic novels to fictionalised stories set against the backdrop of major historical events, children's authors are exploring interesting ways to bring context and nuances that will make Indian history come alive for children. Here are some recommended reads: 'Songs of Freedom' series (Duckbill) by multiple authors These stories follow the life of a child living in India grappling with the effects of an event in the struggle for Indian Independence allowing young readers to understand what life may have been like during the freedom struggle. 'After Midnight: A History of Independent India' (Penguin) by Meghaa Gupta What happened when the British left India? How did a country so divided unite to become the country we know and love today? From unifying the princely states to a single-minded focus on progress and development, this book details everything that has happened from 1947 to today. '565: The Dramatic Story of Unifying India' (Hachette) by Mallika Ravikumar The amazing story of how a team persuaded 565 princely states to join the independent nation of India to become one nation. 'History Unpacked' (Duckbill) by Saisudha Acharya How much do we know about Ancient India? This book will unwrap the connection ancient India had to the rest of the world in a rib-tickling, laugh-out-loud manner! Reading history has never been more fun! 'A History of South India for Children' (Hachette) by Pradeep Chakravarthy Take a trip to South India and read about what life was like when the Pandyas, Cholas, Cheras, and other famous dynasties were in power. 'Travelling Treasures' (Hachette) by Mala Kumar Find out how all the things we take for granted today — from ketchup to corn and steel tumblers to umbrellas — came to India. This is an amazing, alphabetical journey through history. 'The Puffin History of India' by Roshen Dalal A comprehensive book, detailing history from the Indus Valley Civilisation all the way to Independent India in 1947 — this book is well researched and a joy to read. 'A Children's History of India in a 100 Objects' (Puffin) by Devika Cariapa The fascinating history of India told through 100 treasures that have shaped our nation in a manner that will fascinate and enthral the reader. 'The People of the Indus' (Penguin) by Nikhil Gulati with Jonathan Mark Kenoyer When a graphic novel crosses paths with ancient Indian history, the reader gets a book that will educate, fascinate, and make immediate history buffs of even the most discerning reader. 'The Book of Emperors: An Illustrated History of the Mughals' (Puffin) by Ashwitha Jayakumar and Nikhil Gulati Get acquainted with Mughal emperors as though they are people you know and mingle with. Jaykumar's amazing research brings the Mughals to life in one of the more fantastic ways to learn about India's history. 'Krishna Deva Raya: King of Kings' (Hachette) by Roopa Pai and Archana Sreenivasan A lively, richly illustrated retelling of the life and legacy of the Vijayanagara Empire's greatest ruler, Krishna Deva Raya, for young readers. 'India's Freedom Story' (HarperCollins) by Ira Saxena and Nilima Sinha An engaging, accessible journey through India's struggle for independence, brought to life for young readers with vivid storytelling and historical insight. 'Girls of India' series (Puffin) by multiple authors Step into the annals of history with this fiction series where young girls tackle challenges and make their mark. 'The Missing Rocks of Hampi' (BluOne Ink) by Mala Kumar Two mysteries, both set in Hampi. While Devyani and her siblings, 'The Seekers', go about solving a mystery to help their mother in modern India, we also travel back to Vijayanagara in 1407 to help Subha unravel a plot against the kingdom 'Bhimrao Ambedkar: The Boy Who Asked Why' (Tulika) by Sowmya Rajendran An inspiring picture-book biography of B.R. Ambedkar, tracing his childhood curiosity and determination to challenge injustice. 'Ahimsa' (Scholastic) by Supriya Kelkar A moving historical novel about a young girl whose life changes when her mother joins Gandhi's freedom movement, challenging her to stand up for justice and equality. 'A Children's History of India' (Rupa Publications) by Subhadra Sen Gupta A captivating, child-friendly retelling of India's history, weaving together key events, cultures, and personalities from ancient times to the present. Podcasts 'India Unveiled' by Rakesh Soni 'Empire' by William Dalrymple and Anita Soni The writer is founder of Mother of Readers, a platform championing Indian children's literature.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Hema Malini: ‘There can be remakes, but there is no guarantee it will stay relevant for 50 years'
Actor-politician Hema Malini still marvels at the legacy of Sholay, 50 years after she brought Basanti to life on screen with fun and flair. While she's open to the idea of a remake with new-age actors, she believes the original Ramesh Sippy film's impact can never be replicated. Hema Malini's role of Basant is still considered the most popular and successful role of her career. Sholay etched its name in Indian cinema's hall of fame with its iconic friendship between Jai and Veeru, Gabbar's menacing villain act, and the heartwarming romance between Basanti (Hema Malini) and Veeru (Dharmendra). The film's dialogues and songs continue to captivate audiences. Amitabh Bachchan took on the role of Jai, and Amjad Khan as Gabbar. It also featured Sanjeev Kumar and Jaya Bachchan. The film still holds the record for most tickets sold by an Indian film. On Sholay turning 50 During an interview with Hindustan Times, Hema Malini candidly admitted that when Sholay was made, none of the cast members, including herself, foresaw the film's massive impact and lasting influence that would cement its place in history. 'I have such fond memories of working with everyone. People ask me about my best memories, but we never thought that we were supposed to remember anything. We all worked in Sholay like we do in other films. We have worked in several films, and Sholay was also one such film,' Hema tells us. The 76-year-old continues, 'Today, Sholay has become an iconic film now… So when we look back, there are many pleasant and beautiful memories of working with all those stalwarts.' Looking back, Hema shares, 'At that time, we all were just starting (our career)... Like Amitji was also upcoming in those days. Except for Dharmji and Sanjeev ji, all the other actors were upcoming. Today, we all have achieved so much… It shows how things change and where we all have reached today from the Sholay days.' We ask her if she has a personal favourite scene, to which Hema confesses that she can never pick any one scene. On Sholay being remade Here, Hema Malini expressed openness to a potential remake of Sholay, but firmly believes that no new version can match the timeless impact and legacy of the original film. 'Remake ho sakte hai, kyun nahi ho sakti (A remake can happen, why not). But woh aage 50 saal chalega ya nahi chalega woh guarantee nahi hai (But whether it (the remake) will stand the test of time for the next 50 years or not, there's no guarantee). Sholay has a legacy and it is iconic. People remember each and every dialogue of the film,' says the mother of two, adding, 'New actors also wish to perform those roles, so they should.' Hema mentions, 'Just like you can't repeat Godfather, you can't repeat the success of Sholay. You can repeat the story but not the success. Whether people are going to accept and how they are going to accept is something to be seen.' She gives examples of Ramayana and Mahabharat to explain her point of view, saying, 'They all are great epics. So many interpretations have been made on the same, some for the big screen and some for the small screen. BR Chopra's Ramayan worked so well, but that is not true for every version. Some came and vanished without even being noticed. So, it depends on the mood of the people at that time and how well you have made. Sholay jaisi film sirf ek baar banti hai.'
