
Rabindranath Tagore’s original Bengali anthem, ‘Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata,’ was a poetic tribute to India’s destiny. Later transformed and refined, it became known as ‘Jana Gana Mana,’ a song that would ultimately become the heartbeat of the nation. On January 24, 1950, this iconic anthem was officially adopted as India’s national anthem, following an announcement by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, India’s first President. This moment marked a historic milestone in India’s journey toward unity and national pride.
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The journey of India’s national anthem is an intriguing tale of collaboration and transformation. Originally written in Bengali, it was first translated into a Sanskritized Hindi by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Later, Captain Abid Ali provided another Hindi translation, and Captain Ram Singh composed a soulful musical arrangement. The anthem also gained an international touch when Margaret, the wife of Irish poet James Cousins and dean of Besant Theosophical College, translated it into English. Over time, the anthem transcended linguistic barriers and was embraced in all 22 national languages, as well as numerous regional dialects, reflecting India’s diverse spirit.
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The full version of the anthem lasts 52 seconds, although a shortened 20-second version is also officially recognized. Tagore’s contribution to national anthems didn’t stop with India—he also wrote ‘Amar Shonar Bangla,’ the national anthem of Bangladesh, making him the only person to have penned national anthems for two countries. The anthem’s lyrics reflect unity as they mention regions like Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat, and Dravid, representing India’s rich cultural and geographical diversity, all united under a single melody.