Jahan Daal Daal Par…………………..
Sone Ki Chidiya Karati Hai Basera………….
Woh Bharat Desh Hai Mera…………….
It was a one of the best patriotic song of Hindi Film Music. Rafi Saheb in his golden voice wonderfully describes the unique and prosperous natural, cultural, social characteristics of our country in the song from Kedar Kapoor’s SIKANDAR-E-AZAM (1965), composed by Hansraj Bhel in the great lyrics of Qamar Jalalabadi and the song was picturised on Prem Nath and Prem Chopra.
I was listening to a few AR Rehman songs, when I realized that Mohd. Rafi is no less when it comes to patriotism through music. These are the songs we sing together when we celebrate the glory of the cause we work for- our motherland. This is a tribute to the great man; Mohd. Rafi!
In 1948, Rafi Saheb was distinguished for the singing the song “Suno Suno Aye Duniya Waaloon Bapuji Ki Amar Kahini” after premature demise of Mahatma Gandhi, written by Rajendra Krishan and composed by Husanlal Bhagatram. In the same year, Rafi Saheb got a silver medal from Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru on the Indian Independence Day. Mohammed Rafi  lent his golden voice for most of the inspiring patriotic songs of Hindi Film Music in the films like Jagriti (1954), Naya Daur(1957), Phool Bane Angaare (1963), Haqeeqat(1964), Leader(1964), Shahed(1965), Aakhen(1968), Lalkaar(1972), Hindustan Ki Kasam(1973), Badla Aur Balidan(1980) and Desh Premee(1981).
Shashadhar Mukherjee’s JAGRITI (The Awakening), written and directed by Satyen Bose is still remembered for its patriotic songs composed by Hemant Kumar in the lyrics of Pradeep. The Rafi number from the film, “Hum Laaye Hain Toofan Se Kashti Nikaal Ke, Is Desh Ko Rakhna Meri Bachoo Sambhal Ke” is a very cultured advice from a teacher played by Abhi Bhatacharjee to his students to became model citizens. The film won the Filmfare Best Movie Award in 1956 and Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award to Abhi Bhatacharjee. B.R. Chopra’s golden jubilee hit, NAYA DAUR had “Yeh Desh Hai Veer Jawanon Ka” by Rafi & Balbir picturised on Dilip Kumar & Ajit describing the heroic talent of our Army and People. Another duet from the film, by Rafi-Asha “Saathi Haath Badhana, Ek Akela Thak Jayee Tu Milkar Booj Uthana” is a well idea of joint effort for our labour force for development of Nation and the Country.
The Hindi-Urdu war film HAQEEQAT based on the 1962 Sino-Indian war, written & directed by Chetan Anand had became indistinguishable with patriotism in India because of notable Mohammed Rafi song “Kaar Chalee Hum Fida Jaan-O-Taan Saathiyon, Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyon” composed by Madan Mohan in the lyrics of Kaifi Azmi. The film won the National Award for Second Best Feature Film in 1965.
The Rafi gems from Suraj Prakash’s PHOOL BANE ANGAARE, “Watan Pe Jo Fida Hoga Amar Wo Naujawaan Hoga, Rehegi Jab Talak Duniyaa Yeh Afsana Bayaan Hoga” depicts the immortality of soldiers who scarified their life for the country in the battle. The song was beautifully composed by Kalyanji-Anandji in the lyrics of Anand Bakshi which was picturised on Raaj Kumar.
“Apni Azadi Ko Hum Hargis Mita Sakte Nahin” from LEADER sung by Rafi Saheb under composition of Naushad beautifully portrays the daring and fearless endeavour of our freedom fighters. The song was picturised on thespian Dilip Kumar.
The songs from the film SHAHEED, “Aye Watan Aye Watan Humko Teri Kasam” & “O Mera Rang De Basanti Chola” picturised on Manoj Kumar and “Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna Ab Hamare Dil Mein Hai” & “Pagadi Sambhal Jatha” picturised on Prem Chopra & Anand Kumar respectively are the Rafi Saheb’s genuine salute to the freedom fighters of the country who scarified their life for motherland. The film was a debut of composer Prem Dhawan which was too first film to win three National Awards.
“Aaj Ga Lo Mushkuraloo Mehfilee Sazaloo, Kiya Jane Kaal Koi Saathi Sooth Jayee, Jeevan Ke Door Badi Kamjoor, Kiskoo Khabar Hai Kaha Tut Jayee” by Rafi & Chorus from Ramanand Sagar’s LALKAAR picturised in a defence party which portrays the uncertainty of life of defence people in particular and they may lost their live at any point of time defending the country from enemy.
Chetan Anand’s another war film describing the Indian Air Force’s role in 1971 Indo Pak War, HINDUSTAN KI KASAM starts and ends with the title song “Hindustan Ki Kasam, Na Jukhengee Saar Watan Ke, Haar Jawan Ki Kasam” sung by Mohd. Rafi & Manna Dey. The song composed by Madan Mohan speak well of our defence system. Another title song from Ramanand Sagar’s AAKHEN “Us Mulk Ki Sarhaad Ko Koi Chu Nahin Sakta, Jis Mulk Ki Sarhad Ki Nigebaan Hai Aakhen” sung by Rafi Saheb portrays rigid defence organism of India. Both the title song was played in the background of the film.
The Rafi song from Swarn Singh Kanwar’s BADLA AUR BALIDAN “Meri Laash Ki Mitti Kharab Na Hoo, Ise Aake Thikanee Laga Dena” is an indirect appeal of our freedom fighters to the defence people to save the soil and nation from the adversary. The song was composed by Sonik Omi and it was picturised on Rajendra Kumar.
Above all the last and superb number of this category, sung by our beloved Rafi Saheb is from Manmohan Desai’s Desh Premee:-
Nafarat Ki Lathi Tadoo………….
Lalas Ki Khanjar Phakoo………….
Zidd Ke Pechee Mat Dauroo…….
Mere Desh Premiyo Apas Mein Prem Kare Desh Premiyo…………..
The song was picturised on Mega Star Amitabh Bachchan in a plot of communal harmony among four communities: Punjabi, Gujrati, Bengali and Muslim lived in a sub-urban area. The roles of four communal leaders are played by Shammi Kapoor (Punjabi), Premnath (Gujrati), Uttam Kumar (Bengali) and Parikhit Sahani (Muslim).
Mahendra Kapoor, the first ever singer inspired by Mohammed Rafi, is famous for rendering of the most of patriotic songs picturised on the actor Manoj Kumar for which the actor felicitated the title of Mr. Bharat or Bharat Kumar and his brand of patriotism started from Shaheed with voice of Rafi. His most famous patriotic song was “Meri Desh Ki Dharti, Sona Ugle , Ugle Heere Moti” picturised on Manoj Kumar in the film UPKAAR for which the singer won the National Film Award in 1968 for Best Male Playback Singer and Second Best Feature Film Award to director Manoj Kumar . His other notable patriotic songs are: “Na Moonh Chhupa Ke Jiyo” from HUMRAAZ, “Bharat Ka Rehnewala Hoon” from PURAB AUR PASCHIM, “Woh Kaun Hai Jo Maa Ki Tarah Booj Uthayee Palkoo Mein Bethayee, Yehi Dharti Yehi Dharti” from GAANWAR, “Aandhi Aaye Ki Toofan Koyee Gam Nahin” from SAAT HINDUSTANI, “Aur Nahin Bas Aur Nahin” from ROTI KAPADA AUR MAKAAN and “Ab Ke Baras Tujhe Dharti Ke Rani” & “Kranti Kranti” from KRANTI.
“Honthon Pe Sachchai Rehti Hain, Jaha Dil Mein Safai Rehi Hain” from JIS DESH MEIN GANGA BEHTI HAI and “Chodo Kaal Ki Baatein, Kaal Ki Baat Purani, Hum Hindusthani” from HUM HINDUSTANI are the remarkable patriotic songs sung by Mukesh Chand Mathur. His light popular number from SREE 420, “Mera Joota Hai Japani, Yeh Patlung Englishthani, Saar Pe Laal Toopi Ruchi, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindusthani” had also feelings of patriotism.
The JAGRITI number “Aao Bachhon Tumhen Dikhaaye” by lyricist cum singer Pradeep, “Insaf Ki Dagar Pe” from GANGA JAMUNA by Hemant Kumar, “Aye Mere Pyare Watan” from KABULIWALLA & “Taqat Watan Ki Humse Hai” from PREM PUJARI by Manna Dey, “Nanna Munna Rahi Hoon, Desh Ka Sipahi Hoon” from SON OF INDIA by Shanti Mathur, “De Di Hamein Azadi Bina Khadak Bina Dhaal” from JAGRITI by Asha Bhonsle, “Dekho Veer Jawano Apne Khoon Pe” from AAKRAMAN by Kishore Kumar, “Sare Jahan Se Achchha” from BADI BEHAN by Lata Mangeshkar are also notable patriotic songs of Hindi Film Music. “Vande Matram” and “Ai Mere Watan Ke Logon” sung by Lata Mangeshkar are famous non-film patriotic songs.
From mid 1980s, the subject of patriotism or national integration became out of fashion from Hindi Film and Hindi Film Music. However, the film makers like J.P. Dutta, Subhash Ghai continues to make films on the subject of patriotism by taking risk of commercial failure.”Dil Diya Hai Jaan Bhi Dengee, Aye Watan Tere Liye” sung by Mohd. Aziz & Kavita Krishnamurty from Ghai’s KARMA (1986), was became undying. “Sandse Aate Hain, Hume Tarpate Hain” from Dutta’s BORDER (1997) is the last remarkable & popular patriotic song of Hindi Film Music, sung by Sonu Nigam & Roopkumar Rathod under compositions of Annu Malik in the lyrics of Javed Akhther.
The milestone patriotic songs of Mohammed Rafi and Mahendra Kapoor are being everlasting, still very popular in All India Radio and National TV Channels and also have the sense of hearing in all the corners of the country during the Independence Day, Republic Day and any other public functions. The songs facilitate in inspiring the pure feelings of nationalism or national integration whenever we hear them.
Rafi’s voice will always live on. As also his freshness and enthusiastic approach to life.
Lets not forget these masterpieces…