January 26, 1963 scripted a history in India as renowned singer Lata Mangeshkar also known as ‘Nightangle of India’ sang the melodious yet patriotic song ‘Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon’ for the first time at the National Stadium in New Delhi which left Pt Jawaharlal Nehru teary eyed.
This song always invokes patriotism in each citizen of India. Let’s know a fascinating story behind the song ‘Ae Mere Watan ke Logo.’
It has been written by famous Kavi Pradeep after the Indo China War of 1962 as a tribute to soldiers who died saving the country. Almost 1000s of soldiers were martyred during the war which made Pradeep write the lyrics of this song.
The song undoubtedly acts as a wake up call to country’s people reminding them of sacrifices of soldiers.
Pradeep has a strong desire that the song should be sung by Lata Mangeshkar as her voice could do justice to the lyrics. When Lata jii first heard this song, she broke down in tear and without a doubt she agreed to sing the song.
After days of practice, in 1963, Lata Mangeshkar first sung the song in front of Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru and thousands of people during the Celebration of Republic day. The song brought tears in the eyes of every single person present over there. Sadly Pradeep ji never got the appreciation he actually deserved as he wasn’t invited to the event at National Stadium. But he got an opportunity to sing the song in a school function he attended.
However, the government of India bestowed Pradeep jii with Rashtriya Kavi Award.