Revision as of 13:34, 4 December 2016

The history of its composition

The song Jana-gana-mana, composed originally in Bengali by Rabindranath Tagore, was adopted in its Hindi version by the Constituent Assembly as the National Anthem of India on 24 January 1950. It was first sung on 27 December 1911 at the Kolkata Session of the Indian National Congress. The complete song consists of five stanzas. The first stanza contains the full version of the National Anthem

David Courtney adds: The Indian national anthem has been composed in Raag - Alhiya Bilawal and set to the Keharava Taal.

In Devanagari (Hindi)

जन गण मन अधिनायक जय हे

भारत भाग्यविधाता

पंजाब सिन्धु गुजरात मराठा

द्राविड़ उत्कल बंगा

विन्ध्य हिमाचल यमुना गंगा

उच्छल जलधि तरंगा

तव शुभ नामे जागे

तव शुभ आशीष मागे

गाहे तव जयगाथा

जन गण मंगलदायक जय हे

भारत भाग्यविधाता

जय हे, जय हे, जय हे

जय जय जय जय हे!

A Romanisation of the Anthem in Hindi

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 mange,

Gahe tava jaya gatha,

Jana-gana-mangala-dayaka jaya he

Bharata-bhagya-vidhata.

Jaya he, jaya he, jaya he,

Jaya jaya jaya, jaya he!

The complete Bengali original

1. জনগণমন-অধিনায়ক জয় হে ভারতভাগ্যবিধাতা!

পঞ্জাব সিন্ধু গুজরাট মরাঠা দ্রাবিড় উত্‍‌কল বঙ্গ

বিন্ধ্য হিমাচল যমুনা গঙ্গা উচ্ছলজলধিতরঙ্গ

তব শুভ নামে জাগে, তব শুভ আশিস মাগে,

গাহে তব জয়গাথা।

জনগণমঙ্গলদায়ক জয় হে ভারতভাগ্যবিধাতা!

জয় হে, জয় হে, জয় হে, জয় জয় জয়, জয় হে॥

2. অহরহ তব আহ্বান প্রচারিত, শুনি তব উদার বাণী

হিন্দু বৌদ্ধ শিখ জৈন পারসিক মুসলমান খৃস্টানী

পূরব পশ্চিম আসে তব সিংহাসন-পাশে

প্রেমহার হয় গাঁথা।

জনগণ-ঐক্য-বিধায়ক জয় হে ভারতভাগ্যবিধাতা!

জয় হে, জয় হে, জয় হে, জয় জয় জয়, জয় হে॥

3. পতন-অভ্যুদয়-বন্ধুর পন্থা, যুগ-যুগ ধাবিত যাত্রী।

হে চিরসারথি, তব রথচক্রে মুখরিত পথ দিনরাত্রি।

দারুণ বিপ্লব-মাঝে তব শঙ্খধ্বনি বাজে

সঙ্কটদুঃখত্রাতা।

জনগণপথপরিচায়ক জয় হে ভারতভাগ্যবিধাতা!

জয় হে, জয় হে, জয় হে, জয় জয় জয় জয় হে॥

4. ঘোরতিমিরঘন নিবিড় নিশীথে পীড়িত মূর্ছিত দেশে

জাগ্রত ছিল তব অবিচল মঙ্গল নতনয়নে অনিমেষে।

দুঃস্বপ্নে আতঙ্কে রক্ষা করিলে অঙ্কে

স্নেহময়ী তুমি মাতা।

জনগণদুঃখত্রায়ক জয় হে ভারতভাগ্যবিধাতা!

জয় হে, জয় হে, জয় হে, জয় জয় জয় জয় হে॥

5. রাত্রি প্রভাতিল, উদিল রবিচ্ছবি পূর্ব-উদয়গিরিভালে---

গাহে বিহঙ্গম, পুণ্য সমীরণ নবজীবনরস ঢালে।

তব করুণারুণরাগে নিদ্রিত ভারত জাগে

তব চরণে নত মাথা।

জয় জয় জয় হে, জয় রাজেশ্বর ভারতভাগ্যবিধাতা!

জয় হে, জয় হে, জয় হে, জয় জয় জয় জয় হে॥

A Romanisation of the complete Bengali original

1. Jano Gano Mano Adhinayaka

Jaya Hey Bharata Bhagya Bidhata,

Panjabo Sindhu Gujarato Maratha

Drabiro Utkala Bango

Bindhyo Himachalo Jamuna Ganga

Uchhalo Jalodhi Tarango

Tabo Subho Namay Jagay

Tabo Subho Ashiso Magay

Gahay Tabo Jayagatha.

Jano Gano Mangala Daayaka

Jaya Hey Bharata Bhagya Bidhata

Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey,

Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey

2. Aharaha Tabo Awhbano Pracharito

Shuni Tabo Udaro Bani

Hindu Bauddho Sikho Jaino

Parasiko Musalmano Khristani

Puraba Pashchimo Aashay

Tabo Singhasano Pashay

Premoharo Hawye Gantha

Jano Gano Oikya Bidhyaka

Jaya Hey Bharata Bhagya Bidhata

Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey,

Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey

3. Patana Abhyudaya Bandhuro Pantha

Jugo Jugo Dhabito Jatri

He Chiro Sarathi, Tabo Ratha Chakre

Mukharito Patha Dino Ratri

Daruna Biplaba Majhay

Tabo Shankha Dhwani Bajay

Sankata Dukho Trata

Jano Gano Patha Parichyaka

Jaya Hey Bharata Bhagya Bidhata

Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey,

Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey

4. Ghoro Timiro Ghono Nibiro

Nishithay Pirito Murchhito Deshay

Jagrata Chhilo Tabo Abichalo Mangalo

Nato Nayanay Animeshay

Duhswapnay Atankay

Rakkha Karilay Ankay

Snehamayee Tumi Mata

Jano Gano Dukho Trayaka

Jaya Hey Bharata Bhagya Bidhata

Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey,

Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey

5. Ratri Prabhatilo Udilo Rabichhabi

Purbo Udaya Giri Bhalay

Gahay Bihangamo Punyo Samirano

Nabo Jibana Rasa Dhalay

Tabo Karunaruno Ragay

Nidrito Bharata Jagay

Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey, Jaya Rajeswara

Bharata Bhagya Bidhata

Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey,

Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey

Playing time of the full version of the national anthem is approximately 52 seconds. A short version consisting of the first and last lines of the stanza (playing time approximately 20 seconds) is also played on certain occasions.

Tagore’s English rendering of the anthem

The following is Tagore’s English rendering of the anthem :

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 Jamuna and Ganges 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.

Gurudev’s English rendering of the entire Bengali original

From The Morning Song of India, Wikisource

Oh! the ruler of the minds of people, Victory be to You,

Dispenser of the destiny of India!

Punjab, Sind, Gujarat, Maharashtra,

Dravid (South India), Orissa, and Bengal,

The Vindhya, the Himalayas, the Yamuna, the Ganges,

And the 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, victory, victory to You!

Your call is announced continuously,

We heed Your gracious call

The Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, Parsees,

Muslims, and Christians,

The East and the West come together,

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, victory, victory to You!

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 torturous path,

Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India!

Victory, victory, victory to You!

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, victory, victory to You!

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 now lay our heads

Oh! Victory, victory, victory to you, the Supreme King,

Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India!

Victory, victory, victory to You!

Due respect

Is not standing up an offence?

The Times of India, Dec 01 2015

Ayesha Venkataraman

Does one violate any law if they do not stand up for the national anthem? “I don't think it's so much a matter of legality as propriety. It's not an offence, there is no Act which says you must stand,“ said senior advocate Iqbal Chagla.The only law that weighs in on the appropriate behaviour during the national anthem is Section 3 of The Prevention of In sults to National Honour Act, 1971, which states, “Whoever intentionally prevents the singing of the Indian National Anthem or causes disturbances to any assembly engaged in such singing shall be punished with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.“ It makes no mention of a mandate to stand while it's played.

However, guidelines issued by the ministry of home affairs categorically state, “Whenever the anthem is sung or played, the audience shall stand to attention.“ But this is not legally enforceable. “Guidelines from the home ministry are not legislation.They serve an advisory role,“ said Chagla.

“It's a difficult issue, really. The broad view is that you respect the anthem. And re spect is shown by standing up... You do it, unless you're incapable of doing that,“ said Darius Khambata, senior counsel and former ad vocate general of Maharashtra. But he didn't condone the “thug nationalism that's going on“. “Beating someone up shows more disrespect. People will do anything, they will run their lives any way they want, and then, suddenly , on this issue, they will get hyper-nationalistic,“ he added.

A PVR spokesperson added, “According to a Maharashtra government order, it is mandatory for all cinemas to play the national anthem before every film. Our staff intervened keeping in mind the safety of guests. A full investigation is under way.“

The playing of the national anthem and the law

Court and legislative rulings

The Hindu, December 1, 2016

Playing of the national anthem and laws

Sruthi Radhakrishnan

The official duration of the anthem is 52 seconds, though what is usually played in cinema halls exceeds that length.

The Supreme Court in December 2016 ruled that the national anthem should be played before the screening of films in cinema halls, and that all should “stand up in respect.” “...people should feel that they live in a nation and show respect to the national anthem and the national flag,” Justice Dipak Misra said in the ruling.

There have been legal interventions on playing the national anthem in theatres in the past. In 2003, the Maharashtra Assembly passed an order mandating the playing of the national anthem before the start of a movie.

In the 1960s, the national anthem would be played at the end of the film. But as people simply filed out after the movie, this practice was stopped.

The most famous case of punishing someone for not singing the national anthem was that of three children from Kerala. The school students, in Bijoe Emmanuel vs State of Kerala, were expelled for not singing the national anthem, although they remained standing. At the time, the Supreme Court had observed, “There is no provision of law which obliges anyone to sing the National Anthem nor is it disrespectful to the National Anthem if a person who stands up respectfully when the National Anthem is sung does not join the singing.”

Existing laws don’t penalise or force any person to stand up or sing the national anthem. The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 states: “Whoever intentionally prevents the singing of the Jana Gana Mana or causes disturbances to any assembly engaged in such singing shall be punished with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.”

The official duration of the anthem is 52 seconds, though what is usually played in cinema halls exceeds that length.

A Home Ministry order in 2015 stated, “Whenever the Anthem is sung or played, the audience shall stand to attention. However, when in the course of a newsreel or documentary the Anthem is played as a part of the film, it is not expected of the audience to stand as standing is bound to interrupt the exhibition of the film and would create disorder and confusion rather than add to the dignity of the Anthem.”

And the law until now, specifically says that it has been left “to the good sense of the people” not to indulge in indiscriminate singing or playing of the national anthem. There are even specific rules as to whom the national anthem should be played for (the President and not the Prime Minister), and when people can indulge in mass singing of the anthem.

While the application of the Supreme Court order and the penalties for its violation are not clear, there are definitely precedents for “individually perceived notions of freedom”, which this court order says are overindulged, being upheld over nationalistic causes.

Cinema halls to play anthem before films

Dhananjay Mahapatra & Amit Anand Choudhary, Nat'l anthem to play before films, all must rise, says SC, Dec 01 2016 : The Times of India

Reactions to the SC’s order that cinema halls should play the national anthem before films, Nov 2016
The Times of India

`Can't Be Used For Commercial Or Any Other Benefit'

Prescribing patriotism for citizens, the Supreme Court made it compulsory for cine ma theatres to play the national anthem with the image of the national flag prior to screening films and said the audience should stand up to show respect.

Seeking implementation of the order in 10 days, a bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Amitava Roy said: “All cinema halls in India shall play the national anthem before the feature film starts and all present in the hall are obliged to stand up to show respect to the national anthem. When national anthem shall be played in cinema halls, it shall be with the national flag on the screen.“ Adopting an activist stance, the Supreme Court said on Wednesday , “A time has come, the citizens of the country must realise that they live in a nation and are duty bound to show respect to national anthem which is the symbol of constitutional patriotism and inherent national quality . It does not allow any different notion or the perception of individual rights, that have (are)individually thought of, have no space.The idea is constitutionally impermissible.“

To make it obligatory for citizens to show respect for the national anthem and flag, the bench issued a series of interim orders after taking concurrence of attorney general Mukul Rohatgi. Indicating that there will be more to come in future from the apex court, the bench said: “When national anthem is sung, the concept of protocol associated with it has its inherent roots in national identity , national integrity and constitutional patriotism.“

The court explained these directions were issued to sensitise citizens to display “love and respect for the motherland“ while showing respect to the national anthem as well as national flag. “It would instil the feeling within one, a sense of committed patriotism and nationalism,“ it said. The court based its directions on Article 51, which provides that it is every citizen's fundamental duty to “abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the national flag and the national anthem.“

The court also banned commercial exploitation of the national anthem.This means no tele-serial, advertisement or theme songs for any event could use the anthem partly, as had been popular practice.“There shall be no commercial exploitation to give financial advantage or any kind of benefit,“ the court said.

Private schools, must be sung in: HC

The Times of India, Mar 5, 2016

The Madras High Court has made it clear that the national anthem should be sung in all private schools in Tamil Nadu during the morning assembly.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice MM Sundresh gave the direction on a petition seeking that singing of national anthem be made mandatory in schools.

"Private schools must follow such singing of national anthem as part of their curriculum," the bench said disposing a PIL by N Selvathirumal, an ex-service man, seeking a direction to authorities to make it mandatory for all private schools in the state to sing the national anthem during the assembly.

The bench while recording the stand of the authorities including Union of India that national anthem ought to be sung, in its order directed Central and State Departments of Secondary Education and the Union Human Resources Department to make endeavours to verify weather national anthem was sung in all private schools in the state.

Selvathiurumal submitted that national anthem was not sung in various private schools in Tamil Nadu while it was sung in central Government Schools such as Kendriya Vidyalaya and all the state government schools daily during the morning assembly.

A citizen should have adequate knowledge of the national anthem and the national flag, the petitioner submitted. "In pursuance to a RTI reply, I was informed that the government of India has released an advisory for all the schools that the day's work may start with with community singing of the national anthem and adequate provisions should be made in the programmes for popularizing the singing of the anthem and promoting respect for the national flag," he said.

The CBSE submitted that "a circular was issued to schools on November 10, 2015, stating that the second descriptor out of the 10 principles entails singing of national anthem with decorum, where as the first one is to abide by constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and National Anthem in compliance of the direction given by the Hon'ble High Court of Calcutta on 22.09.2014. It is notified that the schools must strictly comply the orders."

"We would expect that keeping in mind the mandate of the Constitution of India, the respect for the National Anthem and the National Flag, the circular issued by the CBSE and other authorities, singing of the national anthem would be taking place in various institutions", the bench said.