Mera Joota Hai Japani

"Mera Joota hai Japani" (Hindi: मेरा जूता है जापानी, Urdu: میرا جُوتا ہے جاپانى, translation: My Shoes are Japanese) is a Hindi song composed by Shankar Jaikishan and sung by Mukesh. The lyrics of the song are by Shailendra. Due to its patriotic themes, the song was widely embraced in its time as a representation of the newly sovereign nation of India^[1]. The songs first and most famous appearance was in the movie Shree 420 where it was picturised on the popular Bollywood star Raj Kapoor. The opening lines are:

Mera Joota hai Japani

Yeh Patloon Inglistani

Sar pe lal topi Rusi

Phir bhi dil hai Hindustani

which translates to

My shoes are Japanese

These trousers are English

The red hat on my head is Russian

But even so, my heart is Indian

The full song is:

Mera Joota Hai Japani Yeh Patloon Englishtani

Sar Pe Laal Topi Roosi Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani

Mera Joota...

Nikal Pade Hai Khulli Sadak Par Apna Seena Taane

Manzil Kahan, Kahan Rukna Hai,Uparwala Jaane

Badte Jaayen Hum Sailani, Jaise Ek Dariya Toofani

Sar Pe Laal Topi Roosi Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani

Mera Joota...

Upar-Neeche Neeche-Upar Leher Chale Jeevan Ki

Nadaan Hai Jo Baith Kinare, Pooche Raah Watan Ki

Chalna Jeevan Ki Kahaani, Rukna Maut Ki Nishaani

Sar Pe Laal Topi Roosi Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani

Mera Joota...

Honge Raaje Rajkanwar Hum Bigde Dil Shehzade

Hum Singhasan Par Ja Baithen Jab Jab Karen Iraade

Surat Hai Jaani Pehchani Duniya Walon Ko Hairani

Sar Pe Laal Topi Roosi Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani

Mera Joota...

As India was gaining it status as a new sovereign democratic republic nation, this song depicted the professed trend of globalization.

This song gained international fame, particularly in the Soviet Union.

See also

• Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani
• Bollywood songs

References

1. ^ The Secret Politics of Our Desires: Innocence, Culpability and Indian Popular Cinema, By Ashis Nandy, Macmillan, 1998