The Indian National Anthem

Hi all!


First a little bit of background. Although at the moment I am in Romania, I was born in Zambia; that's in south-central Africa. And as you can see I dont look very African and thats because my parents came from India, more specifically, Thiruvanandapuram in Kerala state. I still am an Indian citizen by choice. I had to chose between a Zambian citizenship and an Indian one at the age of 16. I have no regrets about my decision.

Now, I do not know much about India. I have been there only 5 times for short holidays most of which was spent visiting relatives, and the last time was more than 13 years ago. But India is still special to me even though when I speak of home I do speak of Zambia, as my older brother and parents are there... and home is where the heart is, right? However, I am proud to be Indian just like any other Indian... I hope.

For all this pride, though, I do not know the Indian National Anthem. I do know the tune but the words are totally alien to me apart for the first few and the grande finale. One of my friends, who is also from Kerala, was appalled when I told her that I didn't know the National Anthem. And I think she is right. I should know the Indian National Anthem. Afterall, I do know the Zambian National Anthem and I did know the Zimbabwean National Anthem while I was there in school. So I looked for the words and also found an English translation and I'm going to make an effort to learn it... So here goes...

THE NATIONAL ANTHEM OF INDIA

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 Indian National 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.

Here's an mp3 if you want to listen to it.

Now I just got to learn it and stick it in my head...

Cheers.

ps. Malayalees (from Kerala) are Dravidian... hey, I'm in there!!!