Bhubaneswar, Aug. 15: Young and veteran singers came together to present a number of famous songs dedicated to the motherland on the occasion of Independence Day at Rabindra Mandap here this evening.

The artistes rendered celebrated nationalistic songs, both from films and otherwise, in Hindi and Odia, at the musical evening titled Bharatiyam. The state culture department organised the show.

Co-ordinated by Om Prakash Mohanty, many popular and budding artistes came together at the event and sang an array of songs that not only were in praise of the nation, but also paid great tributes to the freedom fighters of the country.

The musical renditions also focused on the heritage of India as well as the diversity and unity of the various religions and communities of the country.

From the evergreen Hindi songs such as Hai preet jahanki reet sada, Chhodo kal ki baatien, Tu mera karma, tu mera dharma to the recent numbers such as Yeh mera India, the singers presented a wide range of film songs on the theme and enchanted the listeners.

A number of Odia patriotic songs, including Matirlagi karsun aame (Sambalpuri), Ame tiki tiki phula, He Bapu, tumaku pranama, were also presented at the event.

Many renowned artistes of the Odisha music circle such as Arjun Charan Samal, Mohapatra Minati Bhanja, Mitali Chinara and others performed on the occasion as well.

Younger singers such as Adyasha Das, Krishna Mishra, Kumar Bapi, Chhanda Mishra, Sursarita Rout, Sudhakar Mishra and Karunakar Sethi won over the hearts of the audience with their renditions.

"The singers gave brilliant performances and were quite successful in creating an ambience of patriotism with a judicious selection of the songs that touched the heart," said Padmanabh Swain, a member of the audience.

Music played a very significant role in India's Independence movement and hence the evening at Rabindra Mandap was seen as a tribute to the poets and artistes involved in the freedom movement, said Dhirendranath Mallick, secretary of the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi.

The Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi organised the event for the state's culture department.

"The event is an attempt to celebrate the spirit of India in an ensemble of patriotic flavour and fervour," he said.