January 26, 2017, marks the 68th Republic Day and all Indians across the globe will be celebrating the important event in Indian history. One of the three national holidays of India, Republic Day is the day when the Constitution of India came into force on January 26, 1950. Republic Day celebrations play a significant role in our lives, as we honour the historical event with pride and excitement. The patriotic songs full of desh bhakti played during Republic Day functions at schools, colleges and government institutions on January 26 are an important part of the joyous occasion. India or as we proudly call our motherland ‘Bharat’ got freedom from British rule on August 15, 1947, celebrated as Independence Day, while Republic Day commemorates the day when India became a Sovereign Democratic Republic.
There is a mix of emotions playing on in our minds when patriotic songs are hummed, with the tri-colour soaring high in the sky. We at India.com compile a list of 17 spellbinding patriotic songs from Hindi cinema and independent music albums, which will evoke patriotism and nationalism in you. Most importantly, this fun Republic Day songs collection is all you need for the Republic Day dance performances this Republic Day 2017.
1. Maa Tujhe Salaam, Vande Mataram, AR Rahman
Maa Tujhe Salaam, the title song of 1997 studio album, Vande Mataram by music maestro AR Rahman captures the patriotic mood of the nation excellently. The most popular song for celebrating national days in India, Maa Tujhe Salaam swells up the chest of every Indian with pride. The soulful and passionate voice of Rahman creates a magic and unifies the country. Maa Tujhe Salaam song from Vande Mataram till date remains one of the most popular and positive tracks for the occasion like Republic Day.


2. Nanha Munna Rahi Hoon, Son Of India (1962 film)
The most evergreen patriotic song of all time, Nanha Munna Rahi Hoon from 1962 film Son Of India forms an integral part of our Republic Day celebrations. No national day function is complete without the nostalgic children’s music track sung by Shanti Mathur. Nanha Munna Rahi Hoon Desh Ka Sipahi Hoon is a must in the Republic Day 2017 celebrations.


3. Love Your Country, Kangana Ranaut
After the age-old patriotic songs, we list down a new-age song depicting the same patriotism and nationalism. Love Your Country featuring Bollywood actress and youth icon Kangana Ranaut is teaching a thing or two about loving India. The song composed by Siddhart Sharma & Piyush Wasnik, sung by Siddhart Sharma, Piyush Wasnik and Yash Chauhan with lyrics by Reeta D Gupta has a lively feel to it. The song has Kangana, joined in by beautiful kids and other proud citizens of India dancing to the patriotic tunes. Love Your Country is the new desh-bhakti song which you must include in your dance performance at the Republic Day 2017.


4. Ye Jo Des Hai Tera, Swades
AR Rahman boasts of an extensive list of hit patriotic songs but Yeh Jo Desh Hai Tera sung and composed by him for Swades is unique in its own way. For starters, it is not a high tempo song rather it has its own flow. It compels us to feel the lyrics, feel the pain and inner struggle of a young NRI Scientist who is struggling to choose a royal life over his motherland. This song beautifully brings the never-breaking connect we have with our country, and despite the issues, we cannot let it go off.


5. Chak De! India
Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Chak De! India’s title track will evoke your nationalism like no other. Sung by Sukhwinder Singh, Salim–Sulaiman and Marianne D’Cruz, Chak De! India sets the mood right from the first beat, and by the end of the track, you will be punching fists in the air with patriotism filled in the atmosphere. Yes, such is the energy and effect of this another evergreen and most played track on Republic Day functions, especially in school dance performances.


6. Kandhon Se Milte Hain Kandhe, Lakshya
Kandhon Se Milte Hain Kandhe song from 2004 film Lakshya starring Hrithik Roshan is high on patriotic fervour. Sung by an army of the talented lot – Shankar Mahadevan, Sonu Nigam, Roop Kumar Rathod, Vijay Prakash, Hariharan and Kunal Ganjawala, this song teaches about teamwork, unity and diversity. A hit song from the famous collection of desh-bhakti music tracks, the song video will make for a mesmerising Republic Day performance.


7. Zindagi Maut Na Ban Jaye, Sarfarosh
Talking about patriotic songs that are a must play on Republic Day; it would not be complete without this cult hit from Amir Khan-starrer Sarfarosh. The ease with which Roop Kumar Rathod instills a feeling of positivity and nationalistic pride is mesmerising. A perfect combination of catchy lyrics and good music, the song is synonymous with national events’ celebrations. The song which even today remains a fan favourite will set the tone for Republic Day 2017.

 
8. India Waale, Happy New Year
Indiawale became a common term to represent the elated, proud citizens of the country after Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Happy New Year film released in 2014. The peppy track became a cheering anthem while celebrating the feeling of nationalism. Sung by KK, Neeti Mohan, Shankar Mahadevan and Vishal Dadlani, Indiawale perfectly fits the bill for Republic Day 2017 celebrations.


9. Des Rangila, Fanaa
The beautiful song from Aamir Khan-Kajol starrer 2006 film Fanna, Des Rangila presents India in its full glory. The melodious voice of Mahalakshmi Iyer will remain etched to your soul as the beat dissolves in the already patriotic atmosphere of Republic Day. Des Rangila features Kajol, a young blind Kashmiri girl giving a brilliant dance performance. Des Rangila song is a tailor made Republic Day song for dance functions in schools and colleges.


10. Aisa Des Hai Mera, Veer-Zaara
Set in the picturesque background of Punjab and sung be the legendary singing trio of Udit Narayanan, Gurdas Maan and Lata Mangeshkar, Aisa Des Hai Mera song from Veer-Zaara has a few parallels when it comes to defining the beauty of India. It is rare for a romantic movie to produce a patriotic chartbuster, but Yash Chopra was a magician for a reason. Aisa Desh Hai Mera has been played time and again at important events like the Commonwealth Games and several other occasions to represent Indian Diaspora. You just cannot miss having this song in the Republic Days songs playlist.


11. Rang De Basanti
The perfect song for dancing your way to Republic Day 2017 celebrations is Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra directed 2006 cult film Rang De Basanti’s title track. The fiery voice of Daler Mehndi and musical genius of AR Rahman came up with a youth-centric song in Rang De Basanti and took the nation by storm. The song undoubtedly raises the energy level of the people listening to it and rightfully earned the tag of modern day classic.


12. Suno Gaur Se Dunia Walo, Dus
Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt starrer Dus never saw the daylight but its song Suno Gaur Se Duniya Walo became a chartbuster. No song can show Indians right on the top and keep eyeing enemies at the bay like this song. Sung by Udit Narayan, Mahalakshmi Iyer, Shankar Mahadevan and Dominique Cerejo, Suno Gaur Se Duniya Walo is your high-spirited track for an energetic dance performance on Republic Day 2017.


13. Tu Bhoola Jise, Airlift
Akshay Kumar-starrer 2016 patriotic movie Airlift boasts of a calming yet powerful song – Tu Bhoola Jise. This song captures the current mood of the nation and emphasizes on loving the motherland. High on emotions, Tu Bhoola Jise is sung by KK, composed by Amaal Mallik with the hard-hitting lyrics by Kumaar. Be prepared to get goosebumps as the song reaches its climax with overtones of “Vande Mataram” in abundance.


14. Salaam India, Mary Kom
A spirited performance on the song Salaam India from Priyanka Chopra-starrer Mary Kom will be a right way to give a big salute to the nation on Republic Day. The Song composed by Shivam with lyrics penned by Sandeep Singh with the powerful voice of Vishal Dadlani and Salim Merchant is bound to leave you mesmerized. The song features Priyanka in the role of shining Indian medal winning Olympian, Mary Kom who made the country proud. Salaam India has every ingredient to ooze out the feeling of patriotism in you this Republic Day 2017.


15. Jai Ho, Slumdog Millionaire
The song that got AR Rahman an Academy Award is historic in all true sense. Jai Ho from Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire brought Indian music to the global map. The music is very different from AR Rahman’s earlier numbers as he carries the rhythm up and down throughout the song. Though the lyrics may not be catchy, but the overall feel does remain buoyant for the celebrations like Republic Day.


16. Rang Laal, Force 2
John Abraham and Sonakshi Sinha starrer Force 2 has a soul-stirring track Rang Laal. The movie which released in 2016 saw the lead protagonist lend their voices for this powerful song. Their timely voiceover in the song sung by Dev Negi and Aditi Singh Sharma makes all the difference. Rang Laal from Force 2 will hit you at the right places and its inclusion in the Republic Day 2017 playlist will give your function an edge with its variation.


17. Vande Mataram, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
Vande Mataram, the national song of India penned down by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay is recreated time and again over the years. This version of Vande Mataram in the melodious and heartfelt voices of Usha Uthup and Kavita Krishnamurthy from the 2004 film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham is one of the most popular ones played on Republic Day celebrations. The Indian flag and tri-colour painting the streets of London with this all-time favourite patriotic song played in the background will leave you spell bound.
We hope, the aforementioned collection of best of patriotic songs helps you in deciding for the dance performances on the Republic Day. Be a proud Indian; be proud to be called an Indian as thousands of leaders and revolutionaries fought to give us this freedom. Many political greats fought hard with times to provide us with an identity of a Republic nation. Thousands of soldiers fight against enemies to safeguard us. This Republic Day 2017 let us all take pledge to make our country proud and a better place to live in. Wishing everyone a Happy Republic Day.