MUMBAI: To commemorate the 66^th Independence Day celebration, there will be countless activities happening around the country. Politicians will hoist the tri-colour, make inane speeches in succession, and intellects will discuss issues at hand. This day, for India’s 1.2 billion plus citizens, will be a well-earned holiday as well. But to capture the mood and thoughts of some of India’s leading musicians and singers, Radioandmusic.com asks them what Independence Day means to them, the hopes and aspirations for the country and the songs and poems that they associate with the day when, at the stroke of midnight in 1947, India became a free country. See what your favourite artistes have to say:

Kailash Kher (singer-songwriter-composer):

Independence Day and India symbolises freedom to express without fear. Today we have the freedom not only to feel but to think and believe. Corruption is part of the ‘rotten’ system that we have grown up with. But we have also progressed as a country. I see much positivity in the future of India. The media and the new generation have managed to raise awareness on various issues in the society. What is needed now is action.

The song that I associate with Independence Day has to be ‘Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera’ from Swades because it’s now just about pride for one’s country but a call to delivery in the need of the hour.

Dominique Cerejo (playback singer):

To me, it is a day of hope, where I am reminded of the hope that India is capable of giving. Independence Day is a day where I am made acutely aware of what we can achieve as a country. India is taking great strides economically and socially. Where many things have been achieved on so many levels, so many things are left out.I hope for greater equality; a country where women are treated with respect and seen as equals, where children have the right to education.

What comes to my mind is not a song but Tagore’s poem “Where the mind is without fear”.

Shibani Kashyap (singer-songwriter):

Independence Day means complete freedom of expression and choice. It defines life itself and completely defines me.

India is progressing by leaps and bounds- there is juxtaposition here. It is an irony of sorts. It is plummeting to success in so many arenas, at the same time we are so bad in other things-corruption, crime and issues related to women. The girl child, even today, is killed in the most inhuman ways in rural India. This paradox needs amendment. Public personalities are at an advantange of being heard and should voice their options.

‘Vande Mataram’ is my all time favorite song, especially AR Rahman’s version. It is very soulful.

Remo Fernandes (singer-composer):

It means the end of foreign exploiters, and the beginning of home-grown exploiters. At least the colonizers were doing their job and exploiting the colonies; in their own way, they were upright men of duty, hard work, discipline, and honor. They were not exploiting their own country, i.e. England. Our ministers, politicians and leaders exploit and rape and rob their own country and their own people. They are the real anti-nationals, the real terrorists who do much more harm to India in a single day than all terrorist attacks put together have ever done.

The rich are getting richer and richer, our 'progress' is marching forward, trampling our tribals, our poor, and our natural resources to death. This is not progress. This is murder.

My own songs ‘India, I Cry’ and ‘India Against Corruption’. You can find them both on YouTube. Independence Day songs are the ones which our corrupt Government pays willing artists to write praising them and their 'achievements'. I don't do that lying kind of stuff, and I don't listen to it either.

Raghav Sachar (singer-musician):

Essentially, it is a moment of celebration. I always try and release something during Independence Day. I would like India to be corruption free. The economy has gone down. Personally, I have been in Mumbai for 10 years and I have seen no change in roads or anything else. The standard of living here is extremely poor.

My favourite song for Independence Day is ‘Vande Mataram’. The melody is soothing and has a brilliant composition.

Rahul Ram (singer-composer):

The day is when we shook off the colonial yoke but I feel India is not really free, especially for the poor and the tribal. For many, Independence has not changed things; no wonder there is a strong Naxalite movement. The state itself is treating its citizens as second class beings, especially in areas rich with natural resources. I don’t have any exceptional or fond memories of Independence Day but once I spend the day at the Narmada valley which was an interesting experience.

‘Ae Mere Watan ke Logo’ by Lata Mangheskar is a song that I associate on Independence day.

Rahul Sharma (Santoor) :

As a musician I express myself through music which I believe is a universal language. Similarly, Indians should have universal feelings of brotherhood and should be proud that they belong to a country so ancient in its art forms, traditions and culture. There is no other day than 15 August to celebrate this emotion.

India is emerging as one of the leading nations in the world in various aspects. Economic stability and a sense of rapid growth amongst Indians in various fields can be seen. The youth should always tap the rich source of spirituality to stay connected with their inner being along with their success.

The most touching patriotic song would be ' Aye mere watan ke logon' sung by Lata ji which for its beautiful melody and lyrics reminds every Indian to pay homage to its soldiers and all who sacrificed for India.

Luke Kenny (musician- actor- media professional):

For me it’s a day of remembrance of an event that changed the fate of the Indians.  Fates which have been proven to be more fatal with the fortunes of the common man at the mercy of various governments, haphazardly run this country since. Apart from it being a holiday and participating in the foolhardy flag hoisting events which (has) become excuses for false patriotism, nothing else really.

The forwardly educated and globally sensitive youth have a great opportunity to take the country back from the hands of the politicians who have been having their way with the people and the land over the past few decades. If they choose to want to make that difference or change then it’s a bright time to look forward to.

The patriotic song (for Independence Day) would be ‘Vande Mataram’ as it is extremely relevant in these times. When translated into any language, the song will swell the chest of any human being on the planet.

Akriti Kakkar (playback singer):

From my school days Independence Day has been a day of major importance. From pledging to make the country a better place, being a more responsible citizen to singing rejoicing patriotic songs. Nowadays, we actively involve the entire residential society and unfurl the Indian flag and chant patriotic songs. We celebrate with choicest foods and actively debate on how to make changes on grassroots levels to make a big difference eventually.

I feel as a common man one can only crib about the down side of our country like growing corruption and disappointing ministers only if we are aware and want to see a better nation and are really doing anything about it. With the growth of media there is huge awareness but also most of us don't indulge into all this thinking it's none of our business. I feel the youth should be more charged and take the reins in their hands and actively join politics so that fresh blood comes into political parties and hence current views can be incorporated in the system.

My fave patriotic song are ‘Aye mere pyaare Watan’, ‘ Aye Mere Bichhade Chaman’, ‘ Tujhpe Dil Qurban’.