Jana Gana Mana - (Eng)

JANA GANA MANA       -       NATIONAL ANTHEM

HISTORY AND TRANSLATION

Our current National Anthem "Jana Gana Mana" is sung about 120 Crore Indians and take pride in singing this poem as their national anthem. But, it is amazing that most of us are unaware of its background and meaning.

Have we ever pondered who is the “adhinayak” and “bharat bhagya vidhata”, whose praise we are singing ?

Is He God the Creator or King George V and the Queen of England ? 

I thought might be Motherland India!

What does History tell us ?

 Jana Gana Mana (Bengali: Jôno Gôno Mono) is India's National Anthem, Written in highly Sanskritized(Tatsama) Bengali. It is the first of five stanzas of a Brahmo hymn composed and scored by Rabindranath Tagore . It was first sung at the Calcutta Session of the Indian National congress on 27 December 1911. Jana Gana Mana was officially adopted by the Constituent Assembly as the Indian national anthem on January 24, 1950.

To begin with, India's national anthem, Jana Gana Mana Adhinayaka, was written by Rabindranath Tagore in honour of King George V and the Queen of England when they visited India in 1911.

Before  analysis, let us have a look on the complete poem carefully:

The lyrics of all 5 stanzas of the complete song "Jana Gana Mana"

Bengali Transcription

Stanza 1 (National Anthem of India):-

Jano Gano Mano Adhinaayako Jayo Hey,Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa

Panjaabo Sindhu Gujaraato Maraathaa,Draabiro Utkalo Bango

Bindhyo Himaachalo Jamunaa Gangaa, Uchchhalo Jalodhi Tarango

Tabo Shubho Naamey Jaagey, Tabo Shubho Aashisho Maagey

Gaahey Tabo Jayogaathaa

Jano Gano Mangalo Daayako, Jayo Hey Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa

Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey,Jayo Jayo Jayo, Jayo Hey

Stanza 2

Ohoroho Tobo Aahbaano Prachaarito,Shuni Tabo Udaaro Baani

Hindu Bauddho Shikho Jaino,Parashiko Musholmaano Christaani

Purabo Pashchimo Aashey,Tabo Singhaasano Paashey

Premohaaro Hawye Gaanthaa

Jano Gano Oikyo Bidhaayako Jayo Hey,Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa

Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey,Jayo Jayo Jayo, Jayo Hey

Stanza 3

Potono Abhbhudoy Bandhuro Ponthaa,Jugo Jugo Dhaabito Jaatri

Hey Chiro Saarothi, Tabo Ratha Chakrey Mukhorito Potho Dino Raatri

Daaruno Biplabo Maajhey,Tabo Shankhodhwoni Bajey

Sankato Dukkho Traataa

Jano Gano Potho Parichaayako,Jayo Hey Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa

Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey,Jayo Jayo Jayo, Jayo Hey

Stanza 4

Ghoro Timiro Ghono Nibiro,Nishithey Peerito Murchhito Deshey

Jagrato Chhilo Tabo Abicholo Mangalo,Noto Nayoney Animeshey

Duhswapney Aatankey,Rokkhaa Koriley Ankey

Snehamoyi Tumi Maataaa

Jano Gano Duhkho Trayako,Jayo Hey Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa

Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey,Jayo Jayo Jayo, Jayo Hey

Stanza 5

Raatri Prabhatilo Udilo Rabichhabi, Purbo Udayo Giri Bhaaley

Gaahey Bihangamo Punyo Samirano, Nabo Jibano Rasho Dhaley

Tabo Karunaaruno Ragey,Nidrito Bhaarato Jagey

Tabo Chorone Noto Maatha

Jayo Jayo Jayo Hey, Jayo Rajeshwaro, Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa

Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey,Jayo Jayo Jayo, Jayo Hey

Hindi Translation	English Translation
Stanza 1 (National Anthem of India):-
Jana-Gana-Mana Adhinaayak Jaya Hey,Bhaarat-Bhaagya-Vidhaata Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat, Maratha, Dravid, Utkal, Banga Vindhya, Himachal, Yamuna, Ganga, Uchchhala Jaladhi Taranga Tav Shubh Naame Jaage, Tav Shubh Aashish Maage, Gaaye Tav Jaygaatha Jana-Gana-Mangal-Daayak, Jaya Hey Bhaarat-Bhaagyo-Vidhaata Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey	Oh! the ruler of the minds of people, Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India! Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Dravida (South India), Orissa, Bengal, Vindhya, Himalaya, Yamuna, Gange, oceans with foaming waves all around Wake up listening to Your Auspicious name, Ask for Your Auspicious blessings, And sing to Your glorious victory. Oh! You who impart well being to the people! Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India! Victory to You, victory to You, victory to You, Victory, Victory, Victory, Victory to You!
Stanza 2:-
Aharaha Tav Aavhaan Prachaarit, Suni Tav Udaar Baani Hindu, Baudh, Shikh, Jain, Parsi, Musalman, Christaani Purab Pashchim Aashe,Tav Singhaasan Paashe, Premhaar Yash Gaatha Jana Gana Ekya Vidhaayak Jaya Hey, Bhaarat-Bhaagyo-Vidhaata Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey	Your call is announced continuously, we heed Your gracious call Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain, Parsee, Muslim, Christians, East and West come, to the side of Your throne And weave the garland of love. Oh! You who bring in the unity of the people! Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India! Victory to You, victory to You, victory to You, Victory, Victory, Victory, Victory to You!
Stanza 3:-
Patan-Abhuday-Bandhur Pantha,Yug-Yug-Dhaavit Yaatri Hey Chir Saarthi, Tav Rath Chakre Mukharit Path Din Raatri Daarun Viplav aaje,Tav Shankh Dhwani Baje Sankat-Dukkh-Traata, Jana Gana Path Parichaayak, Jaya Hey Bhaarat-Bhaagyo-Vidhaata Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey	The way of life is somber as it moves through ups and downs, But we, the pilgrims, have followed it through ages. Oh! Eternal Charioteer, the wheels of your chariot echo day and night in the path In the midst of fierce revolution, your conch shell sounds. You save us from fear and misery, Oh! You who guide the people through tortuous path... Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India! Victory to You, victory to You, victory to You, Victory, Victory, Victory, Victory to You!
Stanza 4:-
Ghor Timir Dhan Nibid, Nishiye Pidit Murchit Deshe Jagrut Chhil Tav Avichal Mangal, Nat Nayane Animeshe Duhswapne Aatanke, Raksha Karile Anke Snehamayi Tumi Maata Jana Gana Dukkh Trayak, Jaya Hey Bhaarat-Bhaagyo-Vidhaata Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey	During the bleakest of nights, when the whole country was sick and in swoon Wakeful remained Your incessant blessings, through Your lowered but winkless eyes Through nightmares and fears, You protected us on Your lap Oh Loving Mother Oh! You who have removed the misery of the people...Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India! Victory to You, victory to You, victory to You, Victory, Victory, Victory, Victory to You!
Stanza 5:-
Raatri Prabhatil Udit Ravichhabi, Purva Uday-Giri Bhaale Gaahe Vihangam Punya Samiran, Nav Jivan Ras Dhale Tav Karunaarun Rage, Nidrito Bhaarat Jage Tav Charan Nath Maatha Jay Jay Jay Hey, Jay Rajeshwar, Bhaarat Bhaagy Vidhaata Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey	The night is over, and the Sun has risen over the hills of the eastern horizon. The birds are singing, and a gentle auspicious breeze is pouring the elixir of new life. By the halo of Your compassion India that was asleep is now waking, On your feet we lay our heads Victory, Victory, Victory be to You, the Supreme King, the dispenser of the destiny of India! Victory to You, victory to You, victory to You, Victory, Victory, Victory, Victory to You!

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 recognised 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 travellers 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. 

  EVIDENCE :  TAGORE COMPOSED IT IN HONOUR OF KING OF ENGLAND

                    A lot of evidences demonstrate that Jana gana Mana was originally written to welcome and praise King George V  of England. The “Adhinayaka“, our “Bhaagya Vidhata” is King Geroge V, and it is the King of England’s “Jaya Gaatha” that we Indians are singing every morning in our schools.

"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 Calcuttaon Dec. 27, 1911 .

Dutta, K & Robinson, A (1995),

Rabindranath Tagore: The Myriad-Minded Man, St.

Martin's Press]. 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.                    

REPORT  OF  INDIAN PRESS

•        "The Bengali poet Babu Rabindranath Tagore sang a song composed by him specially to welcome the Emperor." (Statesman, Dec. 28, 1911)
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•          "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)
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•          "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)

RECENT CONTROVERSY : In February 2011, a school in the state of Uttar Pradesh altered some words  in the anthem because they "discovered" that the word "adhinayak" refers to King George V. "Uttar Pradesh school 'changes' national anthem". The Times of India. February 21, 2011

It is time now to understand the original purpose and the implication of this, rather than blindly sing as has been done in the past.

News Cutting from Mulnivasi Nayak, dated 15.08.2011