Remembering Lata Didi’s iconic patriotic song ‘Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon’

Hyderabad: At the Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, on January 27th back in 1963, Lata Mangeshkar, fondly called Didi, sang the most revered song, ‘Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon’, written by Kavi Pradeep as a tribute to Indian soldiers who were martyred in the India-China battle of 1962. Didi’s heart-wrenching rendition of the song moved […]

Hyderabad: At the Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, on January 27th back in 1963, Lata Mangeshkar, fondly called Didi, sang the most revered song, ‘Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon’, written by Kavi Pradeep as a tribute to Indian soldiers who were martyred in the India-China battle of 1962. Didi’s heart-wrenching rendition of the song moved the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who was standing left to her on the stage, to tears.

Reports say, after the event, Pandit Nehru met her and said, ‘Lata, aaj tumne mujhe rula diya.”

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The song, composed by C Ramachandra, was performed live at the gathering two months after the struggle ended. Inspirational for the nation in the soul-stirring voice of Lata ji and the writer’s morale boosting words, the iconic song told the listeners not to be disheartened by defeat. Thousands of people were at the event also attended by the then President S Radhakrishnan.

Watch it:

This patriotic song, integral to our Republic Day and Independence Day events since then, gives goosebumps every time we hear it. Into the 60th year of this song, we still can’t stop our tears as we hear Didi’s melodious voice that gave the song an eternal life. It always lives on evoking many emotions and images of soldiers before our eyes.

The song for instilling a sense of pride in the citizens of the country and recalling the courage of the soldiers who laid down their lives for Mother India, hits our hearts deeply and moves our soul.

This year on January 29 at the Rasina Hill’s Vijay Chowk in the national capital, as part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, Military bands played ‘Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon’ at Beating Retreat ceremony which marks the end of Republic Day celebrations.

By Ravi Hari

#WATCH | Military bands play 'Aey Mere Watan ke Logo' as part of the Beating the Retreat ceremony being held at Vijay Chowk, Delhi pic.twitter.com/MvA32kzbSK

— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2022

The legendary singer passed away on Sunday (February 6) leaving the entire nation in a state of grief.

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