On August 15, 1997, he released an album called "Vande Mataram," on
Columbia/SME Records, to commemorate 50 years of Indian independence. A
tribute to the motherland, it featured songs for each of the Indian
flag colors. The album was released simultaneously across the world in
28 countries, and Rahman himself performed in New Delhi to a packed
audience including the honorable Indian Prime Minister. Over 1.2
million copies were sold in India alone.