Dear Listers, On the eve of August 15, I am happy to bring these to your notice. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. India's National Anthem 'Jana Gana Mana' collectively played/sung by Gurus of Indian music, classical and popular, and created by the talented music director AR Rehman. The first half is instrumental and second is vocal. Listen to both. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftD3gDA-5S0&feature=related AR Rehman's 'Vande Mataram', the song that inspired the freedom struggle. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRPpSgRqtRc Gandhiji's favorite bhajan (devotional hymn) 'Raghupati Raghava Rajaram'' from the film 'Gandhi my father'. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz7S5IBmtAs Same rendered by the late D.V. Paluskar. He was the son of Vishnu Digambar Paluskar, who brought Indian Classical Music into the living room of the average Indian. DV was massively talented but died prematurely in 1954 when he was only 34. He is still heard... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDUV5-DbFE4&NR=1 Another of Gandhiji's favorite bhajans - this by the 15th century saint-poet Narsi Mehta - rendered by Lata Mangeshkar. Three generations of Indians have been brought up listening to her music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLbqn7hmOo0&NR=1 Arvind Kolhatkar, Toronto, August 14, 2008.