National Anthem of India: Jan Gan Man, Written By and Significance

The National Anthem of India, "Jan Gan Man," is officially recognized as a song with poetic lyrics, written by Rabindranath Tagore. The Anthem, in its present form, was first sung on December 27, 1911, at the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress. Originally composed in Bengali, the anthem was later adopted as India's national anthem in the 1950s in its shortened version.

Table of Contents

1.     National Anthem of India

2.     National Anthem of India: History

3.     Jan Gan Man: Lyrics of the National Anthem of India

4.     Facts about National Anthem of India

5.     Significance of the National Anthem of India

6.     Relevant Articles and Landmark Judgments

7.     MCQs for UPSC Exam

8.     FAQs on National Anthem of India

National Anthem of India

The National Anthem of India, "Jana Gana Mana," is a patriotic song composed by Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore. It is a poem that consists of thirty-two stanzas arranged symmetrically into eight sections of four lines each. The poem is a prayer for the welfare of India and all its people, without distinction of caste or creed.

National Anthem of India: History

The song "Bharat Bhagya Bidhata" was originally performed on Day 2 of the Indian National Congress’s annual meeting in Calcutta, India, on December 27, 1911. Sarala Devi Chowdhurani, Tagore's niece, and a group of schoolchildren performed the song in front of Bishan Narayan Dhar, the president of the Indian National Congress, and Ambika Charan Majumdar.

• 1947: On August 14, 1947, at midnight, the Indian Constituent Assembly convened for the first time as a sovereign body to celebrate India’s liberation. A unanimous performance of Jana Gana Mana adjourned the session.
• 1947: The national song of India, Jana Gana Mana, was played by the Indian Delegation before the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
• 1950: The Constituent Assembly of India formally declared Jana Gana Mana to be the National Anthem of India on January 24, 1950.

Jan Gan Man: Lyrics of the National Anthem of India

Only the first verse of the parent song, "Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata," a Brahmo hymn of five verses, has been designated as the national anthem. The National Anthem, when expressed clearly, embodies the spirit of pluralism, or in more common terms, the idea of "Unity in Diversity," which is at the heart of India’s cultural history.

Lyrics:

Jana-gana-mana-adhinayaka, jaya he Bharata-bhagya-vidhata. Punjab-Sindh-Gujarat-Maratha Dravida-Utkala-Banga Vindhya-Himachala-Yamuna-Ganga Uchchala-Jaladhi-taranga. Tava shubha name jage, Tava shubha asisa 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!

Facts about National Anthem of India

• The “Jana Gana Mana” was originally performed at a meeting of the Indian National Congress in Calcutta in 1911.
• The official rendition of India’s national anthem must last 52 seconds, not 54.
• The Sanskritized Bengali version was translated into a well-known Hindustani version with Subhas Chandra Bose’s permission, called the “Subh Sukh chain” variant.
• On January 24, 1950, the Jana Gana Mana was designated as India’s National Anthem.
• Rabindranath Tagore, a Nobel Prize winner, composed both India’s National Anthem and Bangladesh’s National Anthem.
• The National Anthem was initially composed in the raga Alhaiya Bilawal.

Significance of the National Anthem of India

The song is a prayer to Goddess Bharatavarsha (Mother India) for her guidance and blessings for her children (the citizens of India). The anthem signifies the unity and integrity of India, embodying the spirit of "Unity in Diversity."

Key Points:

• Universality and Inclusiveness: The anthem highlights the diverse cultural heritage of India.
• Patriotism and Loyalty: It fosters a sense of patriotism and loyalty among Indian citizens.
• Cultural Significance: The anthem is derived from ancient Vedic hymns, reflecting India's deep cultural roots.

Relevant Articles and Landmark Judgments

Relevant Articles

1.     Article 51A (a): To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem.

2.     Article 19 (1)(a): Protects the freedom of speech and expression, under which citizens have the right to sing or not sing the national anthem, with certain exceptions as outlined by the Supreme Court.

Landmark Judgments

1.     Bijoe Emmanuel vs State of Kerala (1986): The Supreme Court ruled that expelling students for not singing the National Anthem violated their fundamental right to freedom of religion.

2.     Shyam Narayan Chouksey vs Union of India (2018): The Supreme Court directed that the playing of the National Anthem in cinema halls is not mandatory, but it should be played on specific occasions.

MCQs for UPSC Exam

Question 1

Who wrote the National Anthem of India?

a) Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
b) Rabindranath Tagore
c) Sarojini Naidu
d) Mahatma Gandhi

Answer: b) Rabindranath Tagore

Question 2

When was the National Anthem of India first sung?

a) 1920
b) 1911
c) 1950
d) 1947

Answer: b) 1911

Question 3

How many lines are in the National Anthem of India?

a) 10
b) 15
c) 20
d) 25

Answer: c) 20

Question 4

The National Anthem of India was originally composed in which language?

a) Hindi
b) Bengali
c) Sanskrit
d) Urdu

Answer: b) Bengali

Question 5

Which raga was the National Anthem of India initially composed in?

a) Raga Bhairav
b) Raga Yaman
c) Raga Alhaiya Bilawal
d) Raga Kafi

Answer: c) Raga Alhaiya Bilawal

Question 6

What is the official playing time of the National Anthem of India?

a) 50 seconds
b) 52 seconds
c) 54 seconds
d) 56 seconds

Answer: b) 52 seconds

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the National Anthem of India?

a) Punjab
b) Sindh
c) Gujarat
d) Assam

Answer: d) Assam

Question 8

Which amendment to the Indian Constitution included the duty to respect the National Anthem?

a) 42nd Amendment
b) 44th Amendment
c) 46th Amendment
d) 52nd Amendment

Answer: a) 42nd Amendment

Question 9

What is the primary theme of the National Anthem of India?

a) Celebration of India's Independence
b) Prayer for the welfare of India
c) Tribute to Indian freedom fighters
d) Salutation to the national flag

Answer: b) Prayer for the welfare of India

Question 10

Which organization performed the National Anthem at the United Nations General Assembly in 1947?

a) Indian National Congress
b) Indian Delegation
c) Indian Army Band
d) Indian Classical Music Society

Answer: b) Indian Delegation

FAQs on National Anthem of India

What is the National Anthem of India?

The National Anthem of India is "Jana Gana Mana," composed by Rabindranath Tagore. It is a patriotic song that celebrates India's cultural history and promotes a sense of unity and patriotism.

When was the National Anthem of India first sung?

The "Jana Gana Mana" was originally sung at a meeting of the Indian National Congress in Calcutta in 1911.

How many lines are in the National Anthem of India?

The National Anthem of India contains 20 lines, and the total playing time of the full version of the national anthem is approximately 52 seconds.

Who wrote the National Anthem of India?

The National Anthem of India was written by Rabindranath Tagore. The song celebrates India's cultural history and exemplifies patriotism and loyalty to one's nation.

What does the National Anthem of India signify?

Our National Anthem is a song of praise and thanksgiving. It appropriately opens with the salutation 'Respect to thee our motherland.' The anthem signifies the resolve to be worthy of freedom and act worthy of independence, not for ourselves alone but for all humanity.