The Indian National Anthem

The Indian National Anthem, “Jana Gana Mana,” was written by Rabindranath Tagore in Bengali. It was adopted as the national anthem of India on January 24, 1950, the day the country became a republic. The anthem was first sung during the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress on December 27, 1911.

जन-गण-मन अधिनायक जय हे,

भारत भाग्य विधाता!

पंजाब-सिंधु-गुजरात-मराठा, द्राविड़-उत्कल-बंग

विन्ध्य हिमाचल यमुना गंगा, उच्छल जलधि तरंग

तव शुभ नामे जागे,

तव शुभाशीष मागे

गाहे तव जय गाथा।

जन-गण-मंगलदायक जय हे,

भारत भाग्य विधाता!

जय हे! जय हे! जय हे! जय जय जय जय हे!

Jana Gana Mana
Adhinayaka Jay He
Bharata Bhagya Vidhata
Panjab Sindhu Gujarat Maratha
Dravida Utkala Banga
Vindhya Himachal Yamuna Ganga
Uchchala Jaladhi Taranga
Tava Subha Name Jaage
Tave Subha Aashish Mange
Gaahe Tava Jay Gaatha
Jana Gana Mangal Daayak Jay He
Bharat Bhagya Vidhata
Jay he Jay he Jay he
Jay Jay Jay Jay He..

The anthem is a hymn praising the diverse and vibrant culture of India. It begins with the invocation of the Supreme Being, referred to as the “Adhinayaka” or the leader, seeking His blessings for the prosperity and well-being of the nation. The subsequent verses mention various regions of India, including Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat, Maratha, Dravid, Utkal, and Bengal, highlighting the geographical and cultural diversity of the country.

The reference to rivers like the Yamuna and Ganga, as well as the Vindhya, Himalaya, and the oceans, symbolizes the vast expanse and natural beauty of India. The anthem concludes with an expression of devotion to the country and a call for its continued success and well-being.

The composition was originally written in Bengali and later translated into Hindi by Abid Ali. The Hindi version was adopted as the official version of the anthem. “Jana Gana Mana” was chosen as the national anthem due to its universal appeal and the inclusivity of its message, embodying the spirit of unity in diversity that defines India.