"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. 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.