Didi’s campaign theme song based on Yohani’s ‘Menike Mage Hithe’ Are we patriotic as a nation?

I served as the First Secretary/ Defence Adviser at the Sri Lanka High Commission in New Delhi, India from November 2001 to April 2004. I served under two High Commissioners, namely late Professor Senake Bandaranaike and late Mangala Munasinghe, and two Foreign Ministers, Lakshman Kadirgamar and Tyronne Fernando.

I was occupying a house inside the High Commission complex in Kautilya Marg, Chanakyapuri, in the Diplomatic enclave of New Delhi. Our chief gardener was Perry Ram. He was a very experienced gardener who had served the High Commission for the past 30 years. A very dedicated person, he worked tirelessly to maintain the High Commission premises with beautiful flower beds and flower pots. From February to April, New Delhi looks beautiful with flowers blossoming in mild cold weather. The Sri Lankan High Commission garden looked magnificent during this period, thanks to Ram, who had been to school only up to Fifth Grade, and his two assistants. Our High Commission garden had won the ‘Best Garden in New Delhi’ award three times in the 1990s, thanks to then young Ram. He is old now and the award has been conferred on him for the garden in the residence of the Indian Chief of Air Staff (Indian Air Force Commander).

I had a CD containing Indian patriotic songs presented to me by the then Indian Chief of Naval Staff (Indian Navy Commander). I used to play those songs loud at my residence, because they were beautiful and could be heard even from my garden.

I noticed something unusual when the song ‘Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon’ sung by great Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar was being played. Ram, who was working in the garden, would stop work and stand at attention until the song was over. It is not the Indian National Anthem! Then why did Perry Ram stand at attention? I inquired about this from an Indian Naval officer I was acquainted with. He said, “Ravi, this song was sung by Lataji in honour of the Indian Armed forces personnel who died in the Sino-Indian War in 1962. So, everyone stands at attention when it is sung in honour of those brave service personnel who paid the supreme sacrifice.”

‘Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon’ (available on YouTube, please listen) was written by Kavi Pradeep saddened by the considerable loss of Indian Army personnel in the Sino-Indian War in 1962, accodring to Wikipedia. The bravery and valour of the Indian forces, at stopping the Chinese advance, were heard throughout India. The Indian public was saddened by the supreme sacrifices made by their army.

The inspiration for a new song, which could be dedicated to these gallant men, emerged during lyricist Kavi Pradeep’s morning walks on Mahim beach in Mumbai. He immediately borrowed a pen from a fellow walker and wrote down a few verses of the new song on the back of the foil paper in his cigarette pack.

The initial plan had been to have the song sung, as a duet, by Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. However, the composer Kavi Pradeep had opposed the idea and it was sung only by Lata Mangeshkar.

The song was first sung, at the National Stadium of New Delhi on January 27, 1963, during the Indian Republic Day celebrations, by Lata Mangeshkar in front of the then Indian President S Radhakrishnan and Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The stadium was filled to capacity and it was only a few months after the end of the Sino-Indian War. The song had become an immediate hit. The story goes that Jawaharlal Nehru’s eyes brimmed with tears. Later, when inquired by a reporter, the PM had said, “Those who don’t feel inspired by ‘Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon’ don’t deserve to be called Hindustani.”

Artistes, technical staff and Mangeshkar agreed to donate the income from the song to the Indian Army welfare fund for the welfare of the families of Indian Army personnel killed in action.

The song received considerable public appreciation and even today, when it is sung, everyone stands at attention. At the end of the song, it says ‘Jaya Hind Ki Sena’ (Long live Indian Army!)

I wish we also had a song dedicated to our war heroes.

At the time of writing, Sri Lankan singing sensation, Yohani Diloka De Silva has set new records with her cover song ‘Manike Mage Hithe’, making a name for Sri Lanka in the world of music.

We military parents are always happy and delighted to see our children do so well in their lives. Her father, Major General Prasanna De Silva (Retired), a much-decorated war hero of our nation, provided leadership to the elite Sri Lanka Army Special Forces during a difficult and most crucial time in history. I can still remember how he came to Trincomalee in a civilian lorry and demanded he be airdropped with his Special Forces troops, when late Colonel Fazly Laphir, the Commanding officer of SF was killed on the battlefield in July 1996. It was a true display of patriotism, valour, bravery and comradeship.

Credit should go to daughter Yohani for inspiring all military children with her achievements.

Her song, dedicated to her father, brings tears to any military father who fought in our conflict against LTTE terrorists. Dear daughter, all our children feared for our safety. I can imagine your fear as a young girl. We wholeheartedly wish you all the success in future endeavours.

Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of Indian State of West Bengal from 2011, of All India Thinamoor Congress, fondly known as ‘Didi’ (elder sister in Bengali) faced a ‘do or die’ battle at the election last week. She defeated the Communist party of India (Marxist) after 34 years. This 66-year-old Iron Lady is from a Bengali Hindu Brahmin family with a basic degree in history, education and law and Masters in Islamic history. She was later honoured with a Doctorate of Literature (D. Litt.) from Calcutta University.

Even though her party won the last State election with a huge majority, she lost her seat Nandigram. Still her party appointed her the Chief Minister. As per Indian Constitution, she should be elected to the State Assembly within six months. Consequently, the Bhabanipur by-election was a ‘must win’ for her to remain Chief Minister. Six days ago, she won the seat with more than 58,300 votes.

What is significant here is that Didi’s campaigners based the election theme song on Yohani’s ‘Manike Mage Hithe’ melody. It was widely broadcast during the by-election campaign and crowds danced to the music and immensely enjoyed it. (Google the YouTube version of the song).

A father-daughter duo had remixed the chartbuster as a tribute for Didi. We are so proud of you Yohani! Do not forget that our ancestors came from West Bengal. Prince Vijaya with his 700 followers in seven ships (circa 543 – 505 BCE) came from Kalingadesha (present day West Bangalore) as per Mahavamsa, historical chronology of our country. In my opinion, your tour of India was to visit our relatives. Do visit West Bengal also in the near future.

Dear Yohani, keep singing and reach greater heights.

Most significant is that all this time you were introduced as ‘General Prasanna De Silva’s daughter’. Now, you have changed it. In the future, your father will be introduced as ‘Yohani’s father’. What a great achievement by a young lady. I wish the same for my own son.