Tuesday 26 January 2010

National Anthem


It is India’s 60th Republic Day today. Even as I write, flags are being hoisted across the country and the national anthem is being sung.

This is, therefore, an opportune moment to put to rest an extremely silly, but annoyingly persistent, ‘controversy’ about our national anthem, “Jana Gana Mana”, composed by Indian poet laureate Rabindranath Tagore. The song was written, so the accusation goes, to felicitate the coronation of British emperor George V. Hence, it should be replaced by ‘something patriotic’.
So, what do I make of this?

My shortest answer is unprintable. A slightly longer answer is, “No, the song was not addressed to George V and ‘Bharatabhagyavidhata’ in the song does not refer to the British emperor, except in the imaginations of the ignorant and/or deliberately obtuse.”
The details of the song’s composition can be found in a delightful little book by Dr. Prabodh Chandra Sen – literary scholar, historian and a contemporary of Tagore.
To summarize, Tagore was asked to compose a song of felicitation at the coronation of the British emperor by a high ranking acquaintance in the Indian Civil Service.
Incensed by this request, the poet stayed awake all night, penning this masterpiece of a song.
It was first sung on 27th December, 1911 at the proceedings on the Indian National Congress.
The British press dutifully reported that “the Bengali poet Babu Rabindranath Tagore sang a song specially composed by him to welcome the emperor”.

Little did they know that what they had heard was an eulogy to the eternal spirit of India, referring to the geographic and religious unity of the country, the oppression of foreign rule and presaging an independence to come!
If you are frowning in puzzlement at this, you very probably don’t know that the song has five verses. What is sung at the flag hoisting ceremonies is the first verse – merely the ‘geographical introduction’, so to speak.

So, here I give you all five verses, sung and translated.

The singing is mine.

The translation is a bit of a ‘family project’. My parents remembered that my sister had done a translation way back. So, late last night, Dad emails me saying, “Here it is.”
Both sis and I take a look at it, and our conclusion was, “Hmm, not that great, needs some serious changing.” In fact, we are both secretly convinced that this might have been mailed to Dad by somebody else, though parents insist it wasn’t.
Anyway, I heavily modify the second and fifth verses, and sis does a complete rewrite of the third and fourth. And after some further fine tuning, we think, “Now it looks decent.”

After all this, I get another email from parents. Turns out that ‘sister’s original attempt’, which we pretty much rewrote, was actually Tagore’s own translation. Aaaah, well !! :) :)

However, what you see below, is our translation of the song.

Listen, read and judge for yourself.




Thou art the ruler of the minds of the people,
O Creator of India’s destiny.
Thy name rouses the hearts of Punjab, Sind,
Gujarat and Maratha, of Dravida, Orissa and Bengal.
It echoes in the hills of the Vindhyas and Himalayas,
Mingles in the music of Jamuna and Ganges,
In the surging of the Indian Seas.
They pray for thy blessing and sing thy praise,
O Creator of India’s destiny,
Victory, Victory, Victory to thee.

Day and night thy call is heard across the lands,
Drawing Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs to thy throne
And Parsees, Musalmans and Christians.
East and West bring offerings to thy shrine,
A garland of Love is woven.
O Uniter of the hearts of all,
Creator of India’s destiny,
Victory, Victory, Victory to thee.

Along that road rugged with the rise and falls of Nations
Which Mankind travels down the ages.
Eternal Charioteer, the thunder of thy Chariot's wheels echo.
Amidst the revolutions of history,
Thy trumpet sounds its clarion call,
Thou guide to all travelers in their paths of peril,
Creator of India’s destiny,
Victory, Victory, Victory to thee.

When the long dreary night was dense with gloom
And the Country lay in a fevered stupor,
Thy sheltering arms held her,
Thy watchful, compassionate eyes bent upon her face.
Against the dark evil dreams of oppression
Did thou protect her, most Compassionate Mother.
Creator of India’s destiny,
Victory, Victory, Victory to thee.

The night dawns, the Sun rises
Over the mountains of the East
The birds sing, life stirs in the morning breeze.
Blessed by the golden rays of thy love,
India awakes again from sleep
And bends her head at thy feet.
Victory, victory, victory to thee,
O Lord of all kings,
Creator of India’s destiny,
Victory, Victory, Victory to thee.



124 comments:

  1. Nicely done! Every Indian should be made to read what Tagore wrote in his letter to Pulin Bihari Sen: "A certain high official in His Majesty's service, who was also my friend, had requested that I write a song of felicitation towards the Emperor. The request simply amazed me. It caused a great stir in my heart. In response to that great mental turmoil, I pronounced the victory in Jana Gana Mana of that Bhagya Vidhata of India who has from age after age held steadfast the reins of India's chariot through rise and fall, through the straight path and the curved. That Lord of Destiny, that Reader of the Collective Mind of India, that Perennial Guide, could never be George V, George VI, or any other George. Even my official friend understood this about the song. After all, even if his admiration for the crown was excessive, he was not lacking in simple common sense."

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  2. Hi Anindya,
    It's quite rare that we get to hear/ read such wonderful relevations. Everyone knows of 'Janaganamana' but not everyone knows about the five versus in the song. Atleast there is someone who brings out this and enlightens us. Overwhelmed by this piece of writing!!

    What I am expecting from you is the written version of the song that you've sung. (The bengali verision written in English. It would be nice if you could share that.

    Last but not the least, thankyou for sharing thins.

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  3. Hey.... its very interesting... Very well written....

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  4. dis is awssumm..sum hidden talent there!!!i wuld like my profession more if i get to do PR for such ppl..great goin!!!

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  5. Fabulous job Mr.Sen.Really informative for everyone.I think we should start singing the full version of the song.Frankly speaking, as a media person we were also not aware of the full version of our National Anthem.Shame shame! Today morning my friend Sayantani had sent me the link saying that check Arijit if you find it interesting! I was like why didn't you send me this before Republic Day?We would have done a nice story on this.Anyway we would like to do something around Independence Day.Lets see!

    P.S:You've got a nice voice.Great job.Keep it up!

    Best Wishes,
    Arijit

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  6. Thou art the ruler of the minds of all people, dispenser of India's destiny.
    Thy name rouses the hearts of Punjab, Sind, Gujarat and Maratha, of the Dravida and Orissa (Utkala) and Bengal;
    It echoes in the hills of the Vindyas and Himalayas, mingles in the music of Jamuna and Ganga and is chanted by the waves of the Indian Sea.
    They pray for thy blessings and sing thy praise. The saving of all people waits in thy hand, thou dispenser of India's destiny.
    Victory, victory, victory to thee.

    As I understand, this was the translation attributed to Tagore himself, who had composed this at Madanapalle. The controversy is still there on whether the song was meant for felicitating King George V. However, the controversy can be set to rest with what Tagore has himself wrote in a letter to Pulin Behari Sen: "A certain high official in His Majesty's service, who was also my friend, had requested that I write a song of felicitation towards the Emperor. The request simply amazed me. It caused a great stir in my heart. In response to that great mental turmoil, I pronounced the victory in Jana Gana Mana of that Bhagya Vidhata [ed. God of Destiny] of India who has from age after age held steadfast the reins of India's chariot through rise and fall, through the straight path and the curved. That Lord of Destiny, that Reader of the Collective Mind of India, that Perennial Guide, could never be George V, George VI, or any other George. Even my official friend understood this about the song. After all, even if his admiration for the crown was excessive, he was not lacking in simple common sense."

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  7. Good Job dude!!

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  8. Thanks for the many appreciative comments. Glad you liked the post !

    My parents recall that when they were growing up in Shantiniketan, the 1st, 2nd and 5th verses used to be sung, but not anymore.
    As far as I know, the full version of Jana-gana-mana is not sung *anywhere* nowadays, and its a huge pity IMO.

    Regarding the transliteration (Bengali words in English), I'll have to prepare one. I don't think I'll post it up on the blog. But if you're interested mail me, and I'll send it over.

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  9. Great Job! Keep it up. You never fail to surprise us with your knowledge.

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  10. Anindya,

    Tomar kathagulo bhison bhalo laglo pore, Sadhinatar shaat dashak par habar pare keno jani na puro deshtai amra abar bhenge dite bhison basto hoye porechi.Ar tar sathe emon kichu sristi jar bastubachak prithibite bichar hoy na. Ei nirashar majhe ei lekha ta ekta ashar alo....
    Likhte thako, themo na....

    Ekla chalo re...

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  11. Hi Anindya,

    First of all, I would like to give you thanks for sharing such a great thing with us.In todays world, people are not that keen to share the knowledge that much.Its quite appreciating that you have the knowledge and sharing with people also. I'm quite agreed with Arijit that its a shame that we don't know our full version of National Anthem.Anyway now its our own responsibility to give a serious thought on the same.Specially WE whoever works in Media need to work on this issue.Thanks to Sayantani that atleast she made the effort to forward us the link.Well done boss!!!!

    Keep it up...share more with us!!!

    Best of luck,
    Mihir
    Zee Network

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  12. Quite informative!!Nicely done!!

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  13. Hey I really liked it. It is a real shame that we do not know about this and neither do we have the urge to know our complete national anthem . Thanks for that extra PUSH. Like many other issues, media should also take up a proactive role and drive an awareness campaign about this. Our great men deserve that much.

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  14. Good effort!
    Actually you know what Mr. Bokbok, the National Anthem (1st Stranza) we follow that is highly sanskritized which all Indian can understand.I think thats why we just sing the 1st stranza. The rest 4 stranzas are in Bengali.If it was written in Sanskrit /Hindi (National Language) then WE the Indians could follow the whole song. Anyway I was trying to put my view here but I must admit that you've done a good job by translating the whole song in English.
    You know this piece could have become more interesting if you've written the whole bengali songs and kept the English version beside the Bengali one.

    Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.

    Regards,
    SK

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  15. Hi SK,

    >Actually you know what Mr. Bokbok, the National >Anthem (1st Stranza) we follow that is highly >sanskritized which all Indian can understand.I think thats why we just sing the 1st stranza. >The rest 4 stranzas are in Bengali.

    Not really. The entire song is very sanskritized Bengali. Its just that the first stanza is usually sung with a a Hindi-ized pronunciation, (which you are used to), whereas I have sung the entire song in Bengali here.

    I'll shortly put up a transliteration - Bengali words in English script - and you'll find that you can follow it pretty well !

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  16. Raja,

    >Tomar kathagulo bhison bhalo laglo pore, >Sadhinatar shaat dashak par habar pare keno jani >na puro deshtai amra abar bhenge dite bhison >basto hoye porechi

    Onek dhonnobaad.

    Bideshey giye aami prothom kheyaal korecchilaam je ektaa jonomot aacche,- bisheshoto obangalider moddhe - je "Jono gono mono" amaaderr jaatiyo shongeet howaa uchit noy.
    Ektu jiggashabaad korey jaante perecchilaam er kaaron. Tokhon mone hoyecchilo, "Eesh, eraa shottiy jaane naa, eder ki shompod aacche".

    Tobe obosheshey etaa likhe uthte perecchi, ebong porey lokey prochur utsahito hoyecche, dekhe bhaalo laagcche.
    Er picchoney amaar co-blogger Baishali-r obodaan-o kom noy. Or prochur utsaho naa thaakle ei blog-ta shuru-i hoto naa.

    Tobe deshey phire ektaa bhaalo jinish dekhcchi. Aami jokhon ccherecchilam, taar cheye ekhon jeno desher lokeder jaatiyota-bodh berecche.
    Er kaaron mone hoy goto doshoker orthonaitik unnoti - taar pholey amaader nijeder upor aasthaa berecche.
    Shetaa dekhe bhaalo laage.

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  17. Dear Anindya,
    This is very typically you. So it was no surprise after knowing you for 16 years.

    Very good translation but "dudher shadh ghole mete na" for someone enjoying Bangla.

    Also AFAIK, only the 1st stanza has been selected as National Anthem. The rest are of course part of this brilliant song (so relevant now). But 2nd-4th para were never given the status of National Anthem.
    Swati

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  18. Your rocking knowledge reflects in your each & every post in this blog.Bhishon bhalo lekhen apni!

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  19. Execellent piece!!!

    Ananda

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  20. Hridoy chuye jawa lekha r gaan.Chaliye jao.Amader deshe tomader moto loker onek dorkar.Tomra deshei thako aar desher jonno kichu koro.Etai kamona kori.

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  21. Bravo Anindya! Tor lekhar haat khubi mishti, ar chirachorito roshobodh upobhog korlam! Ananda di

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  22. Excellent Anindya Da!

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  23. Ananda-di,

    >Bravo Anindya! Tor lekhar haat khubi mishti, ar >chirachorito roshobodh upobhog korlam! Ananda di

    Onek, onek din por jogajog !
    Kothaay aaccho ekhon ?? Facebook-e join up koro.

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  24. Dr. Shekhar Subramaniam31 January 2010 at 21:31

    Amazing piece.Specially the translation part is excellent.Keep it up!

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  25. Hi,

    Informative piece.Its really appreciating that someone has translated the whole version of JANAGANA MANA.Its an incredible translation with full of creativity.good job!!
    You've got quite impressive voice as well.Can I know the name of Little Book by Dr. Prabodh Chandra Sen please?

    Regards
    Arushi

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  26. Apnader moto loker khub dorkar amader deshe.Western culture eto beshi eshe geche je amra amader root ta prai bhulte bosechi.Amader oitijjho amader Bangla bhasha,amader gorbo Rabindra sangeet eshob toh amra prai bhulei gechi.Khub beshi English ke akre dhore jibonjapon korchi amra.onek kichu janar ache jeta amader generation prai janei na bollei chole.khub bhalo initiative eta.amader sholpo shimito gyane apni ekta dari jog korlen.erokom kore lekha chaliye jaan.Ashakori bhobishoteo aro kichu bhalo lekha apnar kaach theke amra asha korte pari!

    Seshe bolte chai gaaner golati apnar besh bhaloi kintu ektu shure jeno khotomoto laglo!

    Shubho kamona roilo,
    Dr.Subhashis Ganguly

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  27. Hi Arushi,

    >Can I know the name of Little Book by Dr. Prabodh >Chandra Sen please?

    Its called "India's National Anthem". Published by Vishwabharati Press.

    All the best,
    Anindya

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  28. Hghly patriotic Mr.Sen!Good job:)

    Suhani

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  29. Nicely written and the translation is neatly done.
    Regarding Tagore's English version of Anthem:

    It was in the small town of Madanapalle in Chittoor district that Rabindranath Tagore first penned the English version of the
    National Anthem 'Jana Gana Mana' in 1919. Today, when the entire world is hailing 'Jana Gana Mana' as the best national anthem of the world and the country is celebrating 60 glorious years of Republic, Madanapalle has little or no time to pay tributes to the great man.

    Thanks to the scant attention paid by the Besant Theosophical (BT) College — where Tagore penned the anthem's English version — authorities and the district administration, there's not even a semblance of reliving the remarkable journey of the author's masterpiece. In fact, the cottage where Tagore stayed and penned the anthem is in a dilapidated condition, while his English translation of the Bengali version lies in tatters in the BT College library.

    It was during 1918-19 Tagore visited Madanapalle over an invitation from his friend and Irish poet James H Cousins to spend a few days at BT College, of which Cousins was then principal. On the evening of February 28, 1919, Tagore joined a gathering of students. Upon Cousins' request, he sang 'Jana Gana Mana' in Bengali (which he wrote in 1911). Later, he wrote the English version of the anthem with help from Cousins' wife Margaret, who was an expert in Western music.

    Best wishes,
    Ankit

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  30. The song was originally composed for King George V on his voyage to India. It was first adopted by Indian National Congress on 27/12/1911 in Calcutta session and later adopted as the national anthem by the Constituent assembly on 24/01/1950. Rabindranath Tagore's another creation Amar Shonar Bangla is the national anthem of present day Bangladesh.

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  31. Jana-Gana-Mana
    (Thou Art the Ruler of All Minds)
    The Indian National anthem, composed originally in Bengali by Rabindranath Tagore, was adopted in its Hindi version by the Constituent Assembly as the National Anthem of India on 24 January 1950. It was first sung 27 December 1911 at the Calcutta session of the IndianNational Congress. The complete song consists of five stanzas. The lyrics were rendered into English by Tagore himself.
    NATIONAL ANTHEM OF INDIA
    " Jana Gana Mana Adhinayaka Jaya He
    Bharat Bhagya Vidhata
    Punjab Sindh Gujarat Maratha
    Dravida Utkala Banga
    Vindhya Himachal Yamuna Ganga
    Ucchala Jaladhi Taranga
    Tubh Shubha Name Jage
    Tubh Shubha Ashisha Mange
    Gahe Tubh Jaya Gata
    Jan Gan Mangaldayak Jay He
    Bharat Bhagya Vidhata
    Jaye He ! Jaye He ! Jaye He !
    Jaye,Jaye,Jaye,Jaye He "


    Translation of The national anthem- Jana Gana Mana In English
    Thou are the ruler of the minds of all people, dispenser of India's destiny.
    The name rouses the hearts of Punjab, Sind, Gujurat and Maratha. Of the Dravid and Orissa and Bengal.
    It Echoes in the hills of Vindhyas and Himalayas, mingles in the music of Yamuna and Ganga and is chanted by the waves of the Indian Sea.
    They pray for your blessing and sing thy praise. The salvation of all peaople is thy hand, thou dispenser of India's destiny. Victory, Victory, Victory to thee.

    The Jana Gana Mana was composed by Shri Rabindranath Tagore and first sung at the Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress on December 27th, 1911. It was adopted as the National Anthem of India on 24th January, 1950 by the Constituent Assembly. The first stanza( out of five stanzas) of the song forms the National Anthem.

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  32. Contribute something here:
    http://www.indiatogether.org/people/tagore.htm

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  33. Proud to be an Indian!

    Shalini

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  34. Good initiative Anindya!Though Gurudev has written it in English but your translation is just AWSOME!Good job!

    Somshubhra

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  35. Journey of Indian Republic:
    58 years back, a salute of 21 guns and the unfurling of the Indian National flag by Dr. Rajendra Prasad heralded the historic birth of the Indian Republic on January 26, 1950; 894 days after our country became a dominion following withdrawal of British Rule. Since then, every year the day is celebrated with great pride and happiness all over the nation.

    The transition of India from a British colony to a sovereign, secular, and democratic nation was indeed historical. It was a long journey of around two decades that started with the conceptualisation of the dream in 1930 to its actual realization in 1950. A look into the journey that led to the birth of Indian Republic will make our celebrations more meaningful.

    Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress

    The seeds of a republican nation were sowed at the Lahore session of the Indian National Congress at the midnight of 31st December 1929. The session was held under the presidency of Pt. Jawarhar Lal Nehru. Those present in the meeting took a pledge to mark January 26 as "Independence Day" in order to march towards realizing the dream of complete independence from the British. The Lahore Session paved way to the Civil Disobedience movement. It was decided that January 26, 1930 would be observed as the Purna Swaraj (complete Independence) Day. Many Indian political parties and Indian revolutionaries from all over the country united to observe the day with honour and pride.

    Indian Constituent Assembly Meetings

    The Indian Constituent Assembly, which was constituted as a result of the negotiations between the Indian leaders and members of the British Cabinet Mission, had its first meeting on December 9, 1946. The Objective of the Assembly was to give India a constitution, which would serve a lasting purpose and hence appointed a number of committees to thoroughly research the various aspects of the proposed constitution. The recommendations were discussed, debated and revised many times before the Indian Constitution was finalized and officially adopted three years later on November 26, 1949.

    Constitution came into force

    Though India became a free nation on August 15, 1947, it enjoyed the true spirit of Independence on January 26, 1950 when the Constitution of India finally came into force. The Constitution gave the citizens of India the power to govern themselves by choosing their own government. Dr. Rajendra Prasad, took oath as the first President of India at the Durbar Hall in the Government House and this was followed by the Presidential drive along a five-mile route to the Irwin Stadium, where he unfurled the National Flag.

    Ever since the historic day, January 26 is celebrated with festivities and patriotic fervor all around the country. The day owes its importance to the constitution of India that was adopted on this day. On this Republic Day, read what the great Constitution of India, that propounds liberal democracy, has in its store. Let's also feel proud in pronouncing what the Preamble to our Constitution (External website that opens in a new window) says.
    With 395 Articles and eight Schedules, the Indian Constitution is the largest written constitution in the world.
    Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of Independent India, in his special message to his countrymen, on the birth of the Indian Republic, said:

    "We must re-dedicate ourselves on this day to the peaceful but sure realization of the dream that had inspired the Father of our Nation and the other captains and soldiers of our freedom struggle, the dream of establishing a classless, co-operative, free and happy society in 'his country'. We must remember that this is more a day of dedications than of rejoicing - dedication to the glorious task of making the peasants and workers the toilers and the thinkers fully free, happy and cultured."
    Jai Hind!
    Dr. S G Sharma

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  36. Those who're seeking for the Hindi translation or an explanation in English can refer to this website:http://satyashodh.com/janaganaman/index.htm
    This website is quite useful!

    Regards,
    Minoti Laha

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  37. Sunidhi Choudhury1 February 2010 at 01:44

    Bhaya Anindya,

    Besh bhaloi laglo tomar lekhati pore.Amio bhablam kichu songjojon kori tomar lekhatite.Recently we have seen lot of blogs on the national anthem of Bangladesh, therefore here I will concentrate on controversies on Janagano mano, information provided here on this issue are referenced below.
    The frequently perpetuated debate that Tagore wrote the song Jana Gana Mana for the
    British monarch was addressed by several people, please see also past blogs in Mukto-Mona..
    Unsurprisingly, the belief gained ground that the poem had been written in honour of the
    visiting monarch. Tagore already enjoyed much fame in India, and newspaper reports are both consistent and categorical on the point of Tagore having himself sung his composition on the occasion. Although there was no record of Tagore singing this song in the Congress party conference as we find in the case of his singing of Vanemataram at Calcutta Congress party conference in some occasion.
    Nevertheless, other explanations for the motivations that informed the creation of the poem have been proposed. On a visit to India, The poet Yeats received a visit from an Indian admirer who was also, in Yeats' words, "an Indian devotee" of Tagore. In a letter to a lady friend, Yeats quoted this unnamed devotee as giving him a 'strictly off the records' version of events dealing with the writing of Jana Gana Mana. That version, as presented in 1968 by the Indian Express newspaper, was this:.
    "He (Tagore) got up very early in the morning and wrote a very beautiful poem.... When he
    came down, he said to one of us, 'Here is a poem which I have written. It is addressed to God, but give it to Congress people. It will please them." [2].
    Thus, Tagore wrote the poem in honour of God. In fairness, the last word on the affair should really be given to the poet himself. In a letter to Pulin Behari Sen in 1937, Tagore himself wrote this:

    The origins of the Jana Gana Mana in 1937, Tagore said that a loyalist friend had requested him to write a song in praise of the King. He had felt anger at his friends presumption about his loyalism. It was this anger that led him to compose Jana Gana Mana. He had written a song to a superior authority, the "Dispenser of India's destiny". Tagore concluded. "That great Charioteer of man's destiny in age after age could not by any means be George V or George VI or any George. Even my 'loyal' friend realized this; because, however powerful his loyalty to
    the King, he was not wanting in intelligence."

    If you read the whole song (5 verses) then the song is no doubt is a prayer song praising the eternal Lord. If you read the 4th verse of the song, here Bharat Bhagya bidhata is depicted as female (Tumi Mata). King George could not be female, however someone now may argue it means British queen).

    Ghoro Timiro Ghono Nibiro
    Nishithay Pirito Murchhito Deshe
    Jagrata Chhilo Tabo Abichalo Mangalo
    Nato Nayanay Animeshe
    Duhswapnay Atanke
    Rakkha Karilay onke
    Snehamoyee Tumi Mata
    Jano Gano Dukho Trayaka
    Jaya Hey Bharata Bhagya Bidhata
    Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey,
    Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey

    Janagano mano is a prayer song, which uniquely describes the geography of then India (in the first verse), and quite logically was adopted as the National Anthem for secular India.Finally, the great poem Where the mind is without fear of Tagore as quoted at the beginning was also blamed that Tagore meant “Father” as the British king. There is no dearth of perpetual criticism of Tagore.
    Let me finish this article with a quote from Tagore.
    “To be outspoken is easy when you do not wait to speak the complete truth”- Tagore

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  38. Sunidhi Choudhury1 February 2010 at 01:45

    References
    1. Dutta, K & Robinson, A (1995), Rabindranath Tagore: The Myriad-Minded Man, St.
    Martin's Press,
    2. http://www.sacw.net/DC/CommunalismCollection/ArticlesArchive/pkDatta092004.html

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  39. something that I couldn't add in my previous post:
    I have searched lot of materials to find the genesis of Janagana mono and Tagore’s own view on this issue. I have found the followings,
    “The poem was composed in December 1911, precisely at the time of the Coronation Durbar of George V, and is a paean in praise of "the overlord of India's destiny". The composition was first sung during a convention of the then loyalist Indian National Congress in Calcutta on Dec. 27, 1911 [1]. It was sung on the second day of the convention, and the agenda of that day devoted itself to a loyal welcome of George V on his visit to India. The event was reported thus in the Indian press:
    "The Bengali poet Babu Rabindranath Tagore sang a song composed by him specially to
    welcome the Emperor." (Statesman, Dec. 28, 1911)
    "The proceedings began with the singing by Babu Rabindranath Tagore of a song specially
    composed by him in honour of the Emperor." (Englishman, Dec. 28, 1911)
    "When the proceedings of the Indian National Congress began on Wednesday 27th December 1911, a Bengali song in welcome of the Emperor was sung. A resolution welcoming the Emperor and Empress was also adopted unanomously." (Indian, Dec. 29, 1911)

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  40. Oshadhoron!Chaliye jao!

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  41. Amazing! How unfamiliar many of us are about Tagore’s writing and the spirit of this great mind. In brief, Tagore was greatly against this “Puja” of “Bharat Mata” often done by many (particularly Bengali) nationalists in those days. A dialogue by Nikhilesh with Sandipan in Ghare Baire (Home and the World) novel, which perhaps most explicitly carries Tagore’s thoughts on nationalism, is most educative in this regard. I’m Quoting from memory, Nikhilesh: “You know Sandipan, the problem with your kind of nationalism is that you conjure up a certain moter-image of the nation in your mind and start doing Puja of that image. You forget that the real nation is among the millions of people who toil on the fields in the villages…” In Jana Gana Mana Tagore was appealing to the great Lord who controls the mind of all the people in the land, and certainly not referring to any “mother India”. Whether there is any such Lord I don’t know, and whether that Lord is a male or a female. But remember Tagore, despite being a Brahmo, was greatly influenced by the Upanishads, where the Supreme Power is Brahma — who is always referred as Noun Male in Sankrit. This apart, Tagore’s letter written to the Viceroy after the Jaliwanalla Bagh massacre denouncing his Knighthood speaks enough about his position vis-a-vis the British government.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Nilanjan, no one is attacking Tagore here. History says he sang this song for the Brit king. Whether he wrote the song with “only” the nation in mind is definitely arguable.
    And BTW, the timeline is
    1911- Tagore ‘hails’ the King, creates our anthem in the process
    1913 – Tagore gets Nobel
    1919 – Jalianwala Bagh happens, Tagore gives up his knighthood
    So, one can argue that things do fit.
    But I do realize that it has now turned into an argument for the sake of it. Apologies if it hurt Tagore fans, that wasn’t the intent.
    Jaya he.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Darun bepar Anindya babu,

    Oshadharon translation korechen apni,jibone cholte cholte thomke dariye Kobigurur ei gaan ta pore, shune abar onek din baade deshattobodh jege uthlo. Bharotborsher nagorik hoe ami gorbito.

    Jai Hind

    ReplyDelete
  44. I see a lot of supposed Tagore ‘pundits’ blogging away. I am not sure if any of them have even bothered to read a few lines of his voluminous works.
    Its quite common among us Indians to talk at length on subjects little known to us. People who talk of Nehru in not so favorable terms, especially about his plans for India – have little knowledge of the socio-political situation of India at the time of Independence; his vast knowledge as exemplified by his two epics – ‘Discovery of India’ and ‘Glimpses of World History’(which are one of the most authoritative works of history and regarded worldwide); and are unable to compare the two states – Pakistan & India liberated on the same ‘night’ but not having the IITs, SAILs, BHELs and the contributions (of these institutions established by Nehru) to India’s development. Similar is the case with Gandhi and Netaji. People just talk.
    Without knowing for example, that Tagore was the greatest writer in modern Indian literature, poet, novelist, educator, and an early advocate of Independence for India, was instrumental in setting up Universities (not limited to Santiniketan whose illustrious alumni include the other Nobel laureate of India – Amrtya Sen), and gave up his Knighthood to protest the Jalianwalabagh incident. Much of Tagore’s ideology come from the teaching of the Upahishads.
    I am not how many of the above even understand and appreciate poetry. Have anyone of you even attempted writing one in your chidhood? To imagine that the names of every Indian state should be captured in a poem to express the expanse of our motherland! Crib about Questioning the artistic ability of the only Indian blessed with a Nobel in literature! Its both irritating and amusing at the same time. I wonder who these critics are who have today tried to measure-up Tagore – a name revered by the greatest litterateurs of the world.
    Glorifying our pasts seems to be the favorite pastime for us , since we are a frustated lot without vision for the future – without a true attempt to research the real history of our civilization, dominated and enslaved by hundreds of years of Muslim and British rule. Today some religious radicals talk of racial conservatism without realizing how open our culture was before these invasions. They would cover the temple architectures with burkhas if they had their way. The best works on Indian history (atleast those easily accessible) are those written by the British – obviously through their looking glasses.
    I’d like to draw the attention of such frustated and ignorant Indians to the following :
    1. http://www.sacw.net/DC/CommunalismCollection/ArticlesArchive/pkDatta092004.html
    2. http://www.countercurrents.org/comm-chatterjee310803.htm
    3. http://www.lehigh.edu/~amsp/2004/09/national-anthem-throwdown-jana-gana.html
    4. Wikipedia entry on Jana gana mana
    5. http://rabindranathtagore.quickseek.com/
    Let me also repeat those golden words from Geetanjali:
    Where the mind is without fear
    and the head is held high;
    Where knowledge is free;
    Where the world has not been
    broken up into fragments
    by narrow domestic walls; …
    Where the clear stream of reason
    has not lost its way into the
    dreary desert sand of dead habit; …
    Into that heaven of freedom,
    my Father, let my country awake.
    Let not your reason and intellect be lost in the dreary desert sands…………Be proud to be Indian, but please try to know your country!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Rabindranath Tagore
    The Poet’s Letter to Lord Chelmsford, the Viceroy , repudiating his Knighthood in protest for Jalianwallahbag mass killing.
    (The letter was published in The Statesman, June 3, 1919)
    ——————————————————————————–
    Your Excellency,
    The enormity of the measures taken by the Government in the Punjab for quelling some local disturbances has, with a rude shock, revealed to our minds the helplessness of our position as British subjects in India. The disproportionate severity of the punishments inflicted upon the unfortunate people and the methods of carrying them out, we are convinced, are without parallel in the history of civilised governments, barring some conspicuous exceptions, recent and remote. Considering that such treatment has been meted out to a population, disarmed and resourceless, by a power which has the most terribly efficient organisation for destruction of human lives, we must strongly assert that it can claim no political expediency, far less moral justification. The accounts of the insults and sufferings by our brothers in Punjab have trickled through the gagged silence, reaching every corner of India, and the universal agony of indignation roused in the hearts of our people has been ignored by our rulers- possibly congratulating themselves for imparting what they imagine as salutary lessons. This callousness has been praised by most of the Anglo-Indian papers, which have in some cases gone to the brutal length of making fun of our sufferings, without receiving the least check from the same authority, relentlessly careful in something every cry of pain of judgment from the organs representing the sufferers. Knowing that our appeals have been in vain and that the passion of vengeance is building the noble vision of statesmanship in out Government, which could so easily afford to be magnanimous, as befitting its physical strength and normal tradition, the very least that I can do for my country is to take all consequences upon myself in giving voice to the protest of the millions of my countrymen, surprised into a dumb anguish of terror. The time has come when badges of honour make our shame glaring in the incongruous context of humiliation, and I for my part, wish to stand, shorn, of all special distinctions, by the side of those of my countrymen who, for their so called insignificance , are liable to suffer degradation not fit for human beings. And these are the reasons which have compelled me to ask Your Excellency, with due reference and regret, to relieve me of my title of knighthood, which I had the honour to accept from His Majesty the King at the hands of your predecessor, for whose nobleness of heart I still entertain great admiration.
    Yours faithfully,
    RABINDRANATH TAGORE
    Calcutta,
    6, Dwarakanath Tagore Lane,
    May 30, 1919

    ReplyDelete
  46. For those bringing up the “Bharatmata” issue, note that Tagore was a Brahmo. If you don’t know what that means, ask yourself why are you questioning the motives of a polymath about whom u don’t know the most basic facts.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Read..
    http://www.countercurrents.org/comm-chatterjee310803.htm

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  48. Bah bah .Anindya tomar lekhati pore besh deshbhokti jege uthche!Bhalo geyecho gaanta.

    Sharmistha

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  49. Jana gana mana too doesn’t do a ‘diplomatic’ enough job of describing the nation. All of South as Dravid, no mention of North east (Kamrup?) and Northern most province Kashmir, no talk of relegious diversity or Vedic past. Now I will be blamed of nitpicking on Tagore.
    When they (the leaders of 1940s) knew who this poem actually praised, why did they pick it to be our national anthem? Aren’t you curious as well?

    ReplyDelete
  50. The creativity you've used in the translation is awsome!:) keep it up!

    Good one!

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  51. Sudhir Ranjan Bagchi1 February 2010 at 04:53

    Amader deshe apnar moto kichu lokjoner dorkar.Noyto ekdin shob oitijjho hariye jabe.Sundor proyash!

    Sudir Ranjan Bagchi

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  52. Lekhata thamio nah!chaliye jao chaliye jao!

    ReplyDelete
  53. I’m somwhat happy about the blogger’s patriotism. But i strongly disagree that Jana Gana Mana was written by noble Laurette Rabindranath tagore to praise british king George. how can he write praising british king yaar ? just think. there r some more stanzas as follow:
    Aharaha Tabo Awhbano Pracharito
    Shuni Tabo Udaro Bani
    Hindu Bauddho Sikho Jaino
    Parasiko Musalmano Khristani
    Puraba Pashchimo Aashay
    Tabo Singhasano Pashay
    Premoharo Hawye Gantha
    Jano Gano Oikya Bidhyaka Jaya Hey
    Bharata Bhagya Bidhata
    Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey,
    Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey
    3
    Patana Abhyudaya Bandhuro Pantha
    Jugo Jugo Dhabito Jatri
    He Chiro Sarathi, Tabo Ratha Chakre
    Mukharito Patha Dino Ratri
    Daruna Biplaba Majhay
    Tabo Shankha Dhwani Bajay
    Sankata Dukho Trata
    Jano Gano Patha Parichyaka Jaya Hey
    Bharata Bhagya Bidhata
    Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey,
    Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey
    and more. c d 2nd stanza.
    hindu bauddha sikha jaino parasik musalmana kristani.
    do u mean to say dat king george’s wife was hindu, nephew was muslim, cousin was sikh, queen victoria was originally paarse ? dats wrong !! tagore wrote correct only. in india, all religons (hindu, mislim, sikh, jain, paarsee, christian) are found. dat is wat he describes in 2nd stanza. jana gana mana praises our india. i can prove it. vande mataram also praises our mother india. i agree. but i commented upon this blog just to prove that jana gana mana praises INDIA only & not bloody british king or queen.
    JAI HIND !!! VANDE MATHARAM !!

    Amit

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  54. Amit,

    >I’m somwhat happy about the blogger’s patriotism.
    >But i strongly disagree that Jana Gana Mana was >written by noble Laurette Rabindranath tagore to
    >praise british king George

    May I suggest you actually READ my post before commenting?

    Many thanks.

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  55. NEVER LEAVE FOR TOMORROW WHAT CAN BE DONE THE DAY AFTER!

    Excellent motto!!

    Very good topic,keep blogging.

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  56. Dear Blogger,

    Nice to read your blog.Interesting!

    For your reference would like to share one link with you.As a Sindhi I thought of forwarding you the link.

    Thank you,

    Mr.Lalwani

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  57. http://www.ivarta.com/columns/OL_050424.htm

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  58. Dada ekkebare fatafati.Darun hoyeche translation ta far better than Rabi dadur pati English translation!Chaliye jao Guru;)

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  59. I think few people start commenting before reading only.Actually they're busy in expressing their stupid views!
    Anyway Anindya nice attempt.Quite informative piece.Esepecially the translation part is highly creative.At last want to say you've got a nice voice.Proud to be an Indian.

    Jai Hind

    Bodhisattva

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  60. Nice one Mr. Sen!

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  61. Thank you, Mr. Lalwani,
    > http://www.ivarta.com/columns/OL_050424.htm

    Nice piece.
    It does indeed surprise me, that the 'controversy' persists despite so much evidence to the contrary.

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  62. Ebare tanpurar sathe gaanta ekdom perfect hoyeche.Khub bhalo lagche shunte.

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  63. Excellent Blogger

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  64. To Mr.Lalwani
    I do not want to show any disrespect to our JANA GANA MANA....Don't you think we should drop the word SINDHU in JANA GANA MANA...because it is in Pak and adding this we are prising a province in Pak?

    BTW bekar bok bok what is the meaning of you blog?anyway you write really well.Congratulations!

    Shivaram Joshi

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  65. A controversy has been brewing over a film song that is a take on the Indian national anthem.Please have a look on this:

    http://www.indiatime.com/2009/05/10/jana-gana-mana-rann-controversy/

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  66. Hello there,

    You've done the good job.

    Mr Shivaram regarding your comment: Jana Gana Mana without any reference to Sind? How horrible. The words Hind and Hindu come from Sind and Sindhu. The Sindhis went through a lot of pain and trauma during partition. Millions of Sindhi Hindus came to India as refugees. Sindhi Muslims are fed up of the Punjabi Muslim's domination of Pakistan. Sind is part of undivided India (what the Sangh Parivar calls Akhand Bharat). By keeping Sind in our national anthem we pay tribute to the province which gives India her name and we can also cock a snook at Pakistan's two nation theory. Just because we do not like Pakistan does not mean that we wipe Pakistan and Sind off the map!!!

    Think about it!

    Best Wishes,

    Aloke Shashtri

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  67. good initiative

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  68. Mohashoy,

    Apnar lekhati pore besh bhalo lagche.Shottii amra bhule jachchi amader nijjossyyo ki SOMPOD ache!

    Anindita

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  69. Let the world be proud of our Nation and the citizens of this country.

    Aamra korbo joy ekdin!!!!

    Manoj

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  70. Jana Gana Mana and Amar shonar bangla was written by Rabindranath Tagore. Vande Mataram by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, is the other song debated to be the National Anthem.

    Hail Bengal writers!!!!

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  71. Khuub bhaalo lekhaa o gaan, chaaliye jaao bondhuu!

    Gaanti download koraa jaabe kii?

    Rimi

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  72. Rimi,

    >Gaanti download koraa jaabe kii?<

    I have been asked the same by many others,(who wish to make this song their ringtone!!)

    If you click on the 'divshare' bit(extreme right) of the music bar, you would be directed to the original link where the song has been uploaded. You can follow the simple instructions thereafter to download the song.

    Asha kori shahajjyo korte parlam.

    Best,
    Baishali

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  73. Thanks for sending the link, Tusudi.
    I liked the rendition of the song by Anindya.
    Yes, we knew about the circumstance behind Gurudev writing that song, and how the story often got a bad press, including newspaper reports covering that incidence.

    Best wishes
    Tonu

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  74. Bhalo hoyeche khub gaanta aar translation ta.

    Shaswati

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  75. Really nice!

    Dipankar

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  76. Darun Byapar Anindya da.Chaliye jao.

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  77. Hmmm...quite patriotic.Good one!

    Best Wishes Asha

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  78. Hi Anindya,
    Nice initiative but regarding National Anthem we have certain rules, said in our constitution about respecting our nationa anthem and national flag. According to these, one should complete National anthem in 53~57sec and shouldn't sing the anthem in the way he likes.

    There was an amendment or Supreme Court verdict, which has lowered the restrictions imposed on the National Anthem and National Flag.

    I think, Bharatbala produced Indian Classical versions of Jana Gana Mana, based on this amendment/verdict.

    I will be very much grateful if you people could enunciate about this amendment/verdict.

    Regards,
    Sriram

    ReplyDelete
  79. Hello,

    You've got a very good voice and nice translation.Must say you've got some creative talent.I have always wondered who is the "adhinayak" and "bharat bhagya vidhata", whose praise we are singing. I thought might be Motherland India!

    Our current National Anthem "Jana Gana Mana" is sung throughout the country.

    Did you know the following about our national anthem, I didn't.

    To begin with, India's national anthem, Jana Gana Mana Adhinayaka, was written by Rabindranath Tagore in honor of King George V and the Queen of England when they visited India in 1919. To honor their visit Pandit Motilal Nehru had the five stanzas included, which are in praise of the King and queen. (And most of us think it is in the praise of our great motherland!!!)

    In the original Bengali verses only those provinces that were under British rule, i.e. Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat, Maratha etc. were mentioned. None of the princely states were recognized which are integral parts of India now Kashmir, Rajasthan, Andhra, Mysore or Kerala. Neither the Indian Ocean nor the Arabian Sea was included, since they were directly under Portuguese rule at that time. The Jana Gana Mana Adhinayaka implies that King George V is the lord of the masses and Bharata Bhagya Vidhata is "the bestower of good fortune". Following is a translation of the five stanzas that glorify the King:


    First stanza: (Indian) People wake up remembering your good name and ask for your blessings and they sing your glories. (Tava shubha naame jaage;tava shubha aashish maage, gaaye tava jaya gaatha)

    Second stanza: Around your throne people of all religions come and give their love and anxiously wait to hear your kind words.

    Third stanza: Praise to the King for being the charioteer, for leading the ancient travelers beyond misery.

    Fourth stanza: Drowned in the deep ignorance and suffering, poverty-stricken, unconscious country? Waiting for the wink of your eye and your mother's (the Queen's) true protection.


    Fifth stanza: In your compassionate plans, the sleeping Bharat(India)will wake up. We bow down to your feet O' Queen, and glory to Rajeshwara (the King).


    This whole poem does not indicate any love for the Motherland but depicts a bleak picture. When you sing Jana Gana Mana Adhinayaka, whom are you glorifying? Certainly not the Motherland. Is it God? The poem does not indicate that.It is time now to understand the original purpose and the implication of this, rather than blindly sing as has been done the past fifty years. Nehru chose the present national anthem as opposed to Vande Mataram because he thought that it would be easier for the band to play!!! It was an absurd reason but Today for that matter bands have advanced and they can very well play any music.

    So they can as well play Vande Mataram, which is a far better composition in praise of our dear

    Motherland -India.Wake up, it's high time!
    Shouldn't Vande Mataram be our National Anthem?

    Regards,
    Deepa

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  80. Shut the hell up all you stupid dumb headed people. I am a bengali and i really know the meaning of this national anthem.

    How could you disrespect it. How could you? DO you know what it means. No because it is in Bengali.

    How could you say that. want to know what it actually means.
    here it is.\

    Thou are the ruler of the minds of all people, dispenser of India's destiny.

    The name rouses the hearts of Punjab, Sind, Gujurat and Maratha. Of the Dravid and Orissa and Bengal.

    It Echoes in the hills of Vindhyas and Himalayas, mingles in the music of Yamuna and Ganga and is chanted by the waves of the Indian Sea.

    They pray for your blessing and sing thy praise. The salvation of all peaople is thy hand, thou dispenser of India's destiny. Victory, Victory, Victory to thee.


    so keep sleeping. If you guys wake up . India will be destroyed.

    Regards,
    Amrita

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  81. Dear Amrita,

    I completely understand your sentiments, but what I need to understand from your comment is: Who are you pointing finger at - The Author of the Blog or one of many people who've commented on this blog?

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  82. This Amrita whoever you're I must say you're sounding RIDICULOUS!!!!

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  83. http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2009/11/10/fatwa-against-vande-mataram-provokes-fierce-debate

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  84. Naseer ul raheman4 February 2010 at 02:34

    Pakistan’s founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah commissioning an Urdu-knowing Hindu to write the country’s first national
    anthem has erupted both in the real and virtual world after a write-up on the issue in a daily.

    Long before Hafeez Jullundhri’s lyrics were adopted as the national anthem in 1950s, Pakistan had an anthem written by Jagannath Azad, son of Lahore-based poet Tilok Chand Mahroom. Azad was commissioned by Jinnah to write the anthem three days before the creation of Pakistan in 1947.

    Azad’s lyrics — “Ae sarzameene paak/Zarray teray haen aaj sitaaron se taabnaak/ Roshan hai kehkashaan se kaheen aaj teri khaak/Ae sarzameene paak” (Oh land of Pakistan, the stars themselves illuminate each particle of yours/rainbows brighten your very dust) — were replaced six months after Jinnah’s death in September 1948. The
    National Anthem Committee chose Hafeez Jullundhri’s poem from among 723 submissions.

    In an article for the Dawn, writer-activist Beena Sarwar wrote, “In all these deviations from Mr Jinnah’s vision, perhaps discarding Azad’s poem appears minuscule. But it is important for its symbolism. It must be restored and given a place of honour, at least as a national song our kids learn. After all, Indian kids learn Iqbal’s “Saarey jahan se accha.”
    Adil Najam, a well-known blogger, posted speeches by Azad on his blog. “I asked my friends why Jinnah Sahab wanted me to write the anthem. They said the Quaid wanted the anthem to be written by an Urdu-knowing Hindu.

    “Through this, I believe Jinnah Sahab wanted to sow the roots of secularism in Pakistan,” read a post that quoted Azad. The debate comes at a time when Pakistanis are having a fresh look at the role played by Jinnah in the partition, thanks to a new biography of the country’s founder penned by former BJP leader Jaswant Singh.

    Naseer

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  85. khub bhalo geyechen Anindya apni.

    Shruti

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  86. Dear Amrita,
    I understand that it is difficult to keep calm in the face of determined idiocy, as exemplified by Deepa's post.

    But do please try to keep your cool, ok ? Losing your temper merely makes the other side look good.

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  87. Deepa,
    ------------------------------------------------
    >To begin with, India's national anthem, Jana Gana
    >Mana Adhinayaka, was written by Rabindranath >Tagore in honor of King George V and the Queen of >England when they visited India in 1919
    ------------------------------------------------

    Most people draw conclusions based on evidence.
    There's another category that decides in advance what conclusion they want , and then try to twist the evidence to get there. Given your most today, it seems like you are firmly in the latter group.

    The amazingly asinine 'interpretation' you have presented doesn't survive a moment's scrutiny.

    Fourth stanza written for the British queen ??
    Please !! One can make a better case that it was written for Florence Nightingale !!

    I could go on, but I really have better uses for my time.

    (To be honest, I don't think it's your interpretation at all - merely a copy-paste from one on the inane sites promoting the 'controversy'.)

    Given that you could actually present that piece of silliness here, it looks like you haven't read my blog post at all or any of the very many comments before yours.

    For example, even if we accept your parody of an interpretation (by some ridiculous stretch of imagination), there's still the little problem of Tagore's own statements about the song.

    If you care to read even the first comment, you will see that Tagore unequivocally states the song was addressed to:
    "the Bhagya Vidhata of India who has from age after age held steadfast the reins of India's chariot through rise and fall, through the straight path and the curved. That Lord of Destiny, that Reader of the Collective Mind of India, that Perennial Guide, could never be George V, George VI, or any other George."

    Does that dent your theory a little ?
    Or maybe you think Tagore was lying ?
    What good is a crackpot theory without some lying and cover-ups ?

    All I can suggest is, please go back and carefully read the translation and the many illuminating comments made before yours.

    If that still doesn't convince you, then I think you will be much better off at the link below, where you can find the ideas of people with similar ways of thinking...

    http://boingboing.net/2007/09/25/list-of-the-worlds-w.html

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  88. really good man.. i like your line of thought...

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  89. I'm also Anindya Sen.Really liked your singing style and the transalation.Good going Anindya.

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  90. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  91. so much chaos here with the national anthem.Must say the blogger has done a good job.

    Really patriotic!

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  92. For those ignorant souls in the parliament have wasted a lot of public money debating this..

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  93. Interesting blogpost, excellent voice and fabulous translation. Keep up the good job.

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  94. very good approach!
    best of luck,
    nomita

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  95. What a voice man !

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  96. Bhalo laglo tomar gaan aar translation.
    Regards,
    Pinki

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  97. This is Sayantani's Chotomama responding.Sir,very interesting blogspot.
    There is no doubt Tagore was very DURDORSI & he knew right in 1911 that Independence was in offing!!!;) Would u like 2 agree with me Sir, that Rabindranath & only Rabindranath only knew actually 2 whom did he want 2 dedicate the song.!!!???
    Thank You
    Souren

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  98. Hello All,

    I am delighted and overwhelmed by the huge response to this post.

    Thank you very much for the many appreciative and encouraging comments.

    Several commenters have also provided further insights and information on the issue which has been very helpful.

    Thanks once again and do keep visiting my blog.
    You may find some of the older posts quite interesting as well.

    ReplyDelete
  99. Ramaranjan Mandal10 February 2010 at 21:23

    wELL DONE aNINDYA BABU.

    ReplyDelete
  100. Apparently, no mention of the song is found in 'The Historical Record of the Imperial Visit to India, 1911' published under the authority of the then Viceroy of India. Barely a month later, in January 1912, a secret circular was issued by the Director of Public Instructions, province of East Bengal and Assam, saying, "It has come to my knowledge that an institution known as the 'Santiniketan' or 'Brahmacharyasrama' at Bolpur in the Birbhum district of Bengal, is a place altogether unsuitable for the education of the sons of Government servants.'!!!

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  101. Sare jahan se achcha or janagana mana????

    Anindya you've got an excellent voice.Keep it up!

    Regards,
    Mainak

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  102. Then why not vande mataram Mainak?If we'll keep fighting on National Anthem then many questions will arrise.So keep urself away from it!
    Just appriciate here the authors initiative.
    Must say GOOD JOB Anindya!

    Deepti

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  103. Dear Anindya Sen,

    You're most welcome to join us in this forum
    http://www.anothersubcontinent.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=478

    ReplyDelete
  104. Anyone with an ounce of sense can make out that a poem which talks of the
    wheels of the chariot of the Lord of India's destiny running for ages, which by
    the way is not a part of the "national anthem" cannot be a tribute to any
    mortal king or emperor. That point had been made by Tagore himself, much before
    it was chosen as the national anthem. (It would be decided by the constituent
    assembly. Not by Nehru. Not as "national song". But as "national anthem". The
    claim as regards subsequent addition is evidently false. And the song is
    composed in Bengali, not Sanskrit.) This has already been explicitly explained
    by Pradip Kr. Datta. This lying fool refuses to acknowledge/understand. Also
    relevant is that fact, Tagore had renounced his Knighthood in protest against
    the Jalinwalabag massacre. Apart from directly associating with the Freedom
    Movement and functioning as its spiritual fountainhead. He also composed
    innumerable patriotic songs against colonial rule. Whereas the author of the
    Bande Matarm was a loyal servant of the colonial British administration. (And
    the RSS was never a part of India's epic Freedom Movement.) But then lying and
    hypocrisy are in the blood of the RSS hoods. On the one hand, they would
    slander both the national anthem and the flag. On the other, they would demand
    absolute unquestioning obeisance from others to these symbols.

    Sukla Sen

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  105. The confusion about the song was stirred up by the ineptness of the pro-British
    Anglo-Indian press. Their inefficiency was not surprising (The Sunday Times
    once ascribed the authorship of Bande Mataram to Tagore and described Jana Gana
    Mana as a Hindi song!) On this occasion the Anglo-Indian press -- led by The
    Englishman - almost uniformly reported that a Tagore song had been sung to
    commemorate George V's visit to India. The reports were based on understandable
    ignorance since the Anglo-Indian press had neither the linguistic abilities nor
    the interest to be accurate. Actually, two songs that had been sung that day.
    The Jana Gana Mana had been followed by a Hindi song composed specially for
    George V by Rambhuj Chaudhary. There was no real connection between the
    composition of the Jana Gana Mana and George V, except that the song was sung
    -- not written - at an event which also felicitated the king. The Anglo-Indian
    press [luckily for Hindutva enthusiasts and unfortunately for secularists!]
    heard Indian songs much in the way they looked at foreign faces: they were all
    the same!

    Dhritiman

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  106. Egiye jao jiboner pothe,pichiye poro na Anindya!khub bhalo gola tomar.Shune attotushti holo!

    Subhokankha kore,
    Moonmoon

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  107. sare jahan se accha should have been india s national song. written in hindustani, the then national language.
    Iqbal

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  108. Darun likchen apni

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  109. Hi,

    1000 miles away from country but when heard the National Anthem in your voice really made me cry!Really impressed!

    SARE JAHAN SE ACHCHA HINDUSTAA HUMARA

    Best Wishes,

    Ridhima

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  110. Anidya
    I am planning to use it on a coming podcast. Hope you will approve.
    I am talking about the song rendition and not the discussion about it, all of which is quite correct. Tagore wrote it not for the King, and in fact wrote in frustration to someone later about the origin of the song, calling it "infernal stupidity to think that he (Tagore) would identify King George, or any other mortal being, as the eternal charioteer in charge of India's destiny." Enough said.

    Take care. I liked the song, very much.
    Tonu

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  111. Dear Tonu-da,
    -----------------------
    I am planning to use it on a coming podcast. Hope you will approve.
    -----------------------

    Please go ahead. Glad you liked the song !

    Anindya

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  112. Sreelekha Choudhury14 February 2010 at 20:51

    Anindya Sen,

    Khub bhalo proyaash.Bhalo laglo apnar gaan o lekha.Bloger aar shob lekha o gaano bhishon bhalo.

    Sreelekha

    ReplyDelete
  113. Interesting insights, thanks for sharing!
    Thanks,
    Karley

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  114. Got your blog from Twitter.Really nice!

    Thanks,
    Ranbir

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  115. Anindya's song has been uploaded on Santiniketan Podcast(Episode 168). To listen to that please click on the following link:

    http://www.podcastalley.com/player/player.php?pod_id=53006

    Good going Anindya!!

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  116. j.dey@mid-day.com18 February 2010 at 04:48

    Hello.

    The stuff is great. But is also very difficult to live.

    Good luck. Take care.

    Dey

    ReplyDelete
  117. Hi! i am Sayan......i feel highly enriched in knowledge after reading your blog.However after reading your blogs i have started blogging myself.Do read my blogs and suggestions are most welcome.I want to thank my sister also who had sent me this link.

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  118. Oshadhoron geyecho Anindya gaanta.Chaliye jao:)

    Kakoli

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  119. Gaan o translation ubhoe bhalo hoeche

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  120. Splendid post and song

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  121. Amazing! How unfamiliar are we about our own country? its really fantastic. Superb keep it up.

    ReplyDelete