Its a well-known fact that the national anthem was written and performed on the occasion of the King's visit to India. It was first performed in 1911. However Tagore was apparently extremely resentful of the fact that he had to write something in honour of the King, so he kept the Universal spirit(God if you want to call it so) in mind when he wrote the song. Its also well-known that the 'Jana Gana Mana' was chosen over 'Vande Mataram' to make it acceptable to all sections of people esp the minorities.
I do know Bengali. It is true that Jana Gana Mana was written for King George V. I personally think Vande Mataram should be our national anthem but then the "secularists" will be up in arms over it! *sigh*
now after reading about janagana mana i am taken aback.As u rightly pointed out janagana mana has become a holy cow.Let us teach our children bharathiar songs as national anthem.
Dear all We had responses from Diwakar and myself Just found these on the Web If you forget that the Congress used the Jana Gana Mana for the Kings visit.... and read it as Tagore wanted it to be a tribute to Indian Lord and read Vandematharam You ll see why they wanted Jana Gana Mana
Second I dont see what appeased minorities in Jana Gana Mana I may be sheer ignorant but every other problem in this country is due to Minorities!!!
well we always have learned to shift the blame on others Its the ABCD culture Accuse Blame Criticise Demean and Divide
You be the judge
Sri THE INDIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM
Latin Transliteration
Jana-gana-mana-adhinayaka, jaya he Bharata-bhagya-vidhata Punjab-Sindhu-Gujarata-Maratha Dravida-Utkala-Banga Vindhya-Himachala-Yamuna-Ganga Uchchala-Jaladhi-taranga Tava shubha name jage Tava shubha ashish mage Gahe tava jaya-gatha Jana-gana-mangala-dayaka jaya he Bharata-bhagya-vidhata Jaya he, jaya he, jaya he Jaya jaya jaya, jaya he!
English Translation (By the author himself)
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 and Bengal; It echoes in the hills of the Vindhyas and Himalayas, Mingles in the music of Yamuna 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.
Lyrics and Music: Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) Written and composed: 1911 Adopted: 1950
I bow to thee, Mother, richly-watered, richly-fruited cool with the winds of the south, dark with the crops of the harvests, The Mother! Her nights rejoicing in the glory of the moonlight her lands clothed beautifully with her trees in flowering bloom sweet of laughter, sweet of speech The Mother, giver of boons, giver of bliss!
Nobodys blaming the minorities.But let this minority,majority issue stop.The problem comes only since the government denies some previlages to majority,since they are majority.Let the rules be common to all.Except dalits and tribals nobody in India deserve any previlages.
I read somewhere that in India "secularism" is practised as not the separation between the state and the religion but pandering to the superstitions, whims and fancies of all the religions.. usually the minorities, but now the majority is demanding its fair share..
I personally don't care if we have either the "jana gana" or "vande mataram" as the national anthem.. I don't understand both..
But I'd oppose, if in the name of religion someone takes us back 1000 yrs back.. It's stupid to oppose uniform civil code etc..