by Mitali Chattopadhyay
The national anthem of India Jana Gana Mana is far more than a ceremonial song. It is a profound expression of India’s unity in diversity, a musical tribute to the nation’s spirit, and a timeless symbol of its collective identity. Composed by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, the anthem captures the cultural, geographic, and spiritual breadth of the Indian subcontinent.
জনগণমন-অধিনায়ক জয় হে ভারতভাগ্যবিধাতা!
পঞ্জাব সিন্ধু গুজরাট মরাঠা দ্রাবিড় উৎকল বঙ্গ
বিন্ধ্য হিমাচল যমুনা গঙ্গা উচ্ছলজলধিতরঙ্গ
তব শুভ নামে জাগে,
তব শুভ আশিষ মাগে,
গাহে তব জয়গাথা।
জনগণমঙ্গলদায়ক জয় হে ভারতভাগ্যবিধাতা!
জয় হে, জয় হে, জয় হে, জয় জয় জয় জয় হে॥
Originally written in Bengali as part of the poem Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata, the anthem was first published in 1905 in Tatwabodhini Patrika. It was sung publicly for the first time on 27 December 1911, at the Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress—a significant moment when India was still under British rule. Contrary to early misconceptions, Tagore clarified that the song was not in praise of any monarch, but rather a dedication to the Dispenser of India’s destiny—a divine force uniting and guiding the nation.
The song consists of five stanzas, though only the first stanza was adopted as the official national anthem on 24 January 1950, just before India became a republic. The melody, composed in Raga Alhaiya Bilawal, is attributed to Tagore himself, with possible contributions from his grand-nephew Dinendranath Tagore. An English translation titled The Morning Song of India was later prepared by Tagore during his visit to Madanapalle in 1919.
Thou art the ruler of the minds of all people,
dispenser of India’s destiny.
Thy name rouses the hearts of the Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat and Maratha;
of the Dravida, Orissa and Bengal.
It echoes in the hills of the Vindhyas and Himalayas, mingles in the music of the Yamuna and Ganges
and is chanted by the waves of the Indian Ocean.
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.
The anthem’s lyrics evoke a deep sense of belonging, referencing regions across India—from Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, to Dravid, Odisha (Utkala), and Bengal, and natural landmarks like the Himalayas, the Vindhyas, the Ganga, and the Yamuna. It pays homage to the divine, calling for unity, peace, and well-being for all citizens.
Even the arts have drawn inspiration from it. Renowned painter M. F. Hussain created an artwork titled Bharata Bhagya Vidhata, echoing the anthem’s reverence for the nation’s destiny.
Jana Gana Mana is more than a national anthem—it is a living testimony to India’s journey through colonial struggle, its embrace of diversity, and its unwavering hope in a shared future. Understanding its origins and meaning enriches our appreciation, reminding us that the anthem is not just sung, but deeply felt—every word a tribute to the soul of India.
Bharata Bhagya Vidhata by M. F. Hussain