I first learnt our national anthem – Jana Gana Mana – a few years into the age of 3 or 4. Reciting it everyday in school, it was more out of compulsion, routine and discipline (to an extent) than singing from the heart by meaning each and every word.

Did I understand, or rather, fathom the significance of the song? No.

Did I understand the meaning of each and every word in the song? Other than the obvious ones, No.

Did I bother reading the rest of the stanzas (5 in totality)? Don’t be daft – No.

Did I bother rectifying the above? No.

It was more convenient taking the easier route. I also blame ignorance to a large extent.

Today, while trying to fight a random bout of insomnia, I happened to stumble across a beautiful compilation of the song in its entirety. Randomly, I decided to rectify the above follies.

Organized by TOI (Times Of India), it features 39 artists – Kavita Krishnamurthy, Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, Girija Devi, Usha Uthup, Hariharan, Alka Yagnik, Suresh Wadkar, Pt. Jasraj, Sunidhi Chauhan, Kailash Kher, Rekha Bharadwaj, Roop Kumar Rathod, Sunali Rathod, Soumyaojit Das, Sourendro Mullick, Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma, K.S. Chitra, Jagjit Singh, Nityashree Mahadevan, Srinivas, P. Susheela, Sonu Nigam, Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Pt. Ajoy Chakroborthy, Richa Sharma, Mahalakshmi Iyer, Shankar Mahadevan, Dr. M. Balmuralikrishna, Dr. L. Subramaniam, Ambi Subramaniam, Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Sadhna Sargam, Javed Ali, Leslie Lewis, Lakshmandas Baul, Lopamudra Mitra, Srikanta Acharya, Srabani Sen & Shaan – who have sung the entire hymn.

Caught your attention now, have I? Take a look:

[youtube_video id=2VUPbrbsXmA]

HISTORY OF JAYA HEY

During 1919, Rabindranath Tagore accepted an invitation from friend and controversial Irish poet James H. Cousins to spend a few days at the Besant Theosophical College situated at Madanapalle of which Cousins was the principal. On the evening of February 28, 1919 he joined a gathering of students and upon Cousins’ request, sang the Jana Gana Mana in Bengali. The college authorities, greatly impressed by the lofty ideals of the song and the praise to God, selected it as their prayer song. In the days that followed, enchanted by the dreamy hills of Madanapalle, Tagore wrote down the English translation of the song and along with Cousins’ wife, Margaret (an expert in Western music), set down the notation which is followed till this day. The song was carried beyond the borders of India by the college students and became The Morning Song of India and subsequently the national anthem.

Not many are aware of the fact that Jana Gana Mana is originally, as mentioned, a 5-stanza song. The runtime of such a track would be excessively long to suit a country’s national anthem. Hence, till date, the shortened version of Jaya Hey i.e. the first stanza is incorporated to form our National Anthem. For those not in the know, the runtime of Jana Gana Mana is exactly 52 seconds – a fact that isn’t generally followed.

THE COMPLETE HYMN

Stanza 1 (National Anthem of India)

Jana Gana Mana Adhinaayak Jaya Hey,
Bhaarat Bhaagya Vidhaataa
Panjaab Sindhu Gujarat Maraatha,
Draavid Utkal Banga
Vindhya Himaachal Yamuna Ganga,
Uchchhal Jaladhi Taranga
Tav Shubh Naamey Jaagey,
Tav Shubh Aashish Maange
Gaahey Tav Jayagaathaa
Jana Gana Mangal Daayak,
Jaya Hey Bhaarat Bhaagya Vidhaataa
Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey,
Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey

O, the ruler of the minds of people, Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India!
Punjab, Sindhu, Gujarat, Maharashtra,Dravida(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 to you, victory to you, victory to you…

 Stanza 2

Ohoroha Toba Aahbaana Prachaarita,
Suni Tab Udaar Vaani
Hindu Bauddh Shikha Jain,
Parasik Musolman Christaani
Purab Pashchim Aashey,
Tab Singhaasana Paashey
Premohaara Hawye Gaanthaa
Jana Gana Oikya Vidhaayak Jaya Hey,
Bhaarat Bhaagya Vidhaataa
Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey,
Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey

Your call is announced continuously, we heed your gracious call
The Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Muslims and Christians,
The east and the west come, to 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 to you, victory to you, victory to you…

Stanza 3

Potona Abhbhudaya Bandhura Pantha,
Yug Yug Dhaabit Yaatri
Hey Chir Saarathi,
Tab Ratha Chakrey Mukharit Patha Din Raatri
Daarun Viplab Maajhey,
Tab Shankh dhwani Bajey
Sankat Dukh Trata
Jana Gana Path Parichaayak,
Jaya Hey Bhaarat Bhaagya Vidhaataa
Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey,
Jayo Jayo Jayo, Jayo Hey

The way of life is somber, as it moves through ups and downs.
But we, the pilgrims, have followed it through the 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 tortuous path…
Victory be to you, dispenser of the destiny of India!
Victory to you, victory to you, victory to you…

Stanza 4

Ghor Timir Ghan Nibiro,
Nishithey Peedit Murchhit Deshey
Jagrat Chhil Tab Abichal Mangal,
Nato Nayan Animeshey
Duswapney Aatankey,
Raksha Kariey Ankey
Snehamayi Tumi Mata
Jana Gana Duhkh Trayak,
Jaya Hey Bharat Bhagya Vidhaataa
Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey,
Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey

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 tour 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 to you, victory to you, victory to you..

Stanza 5

Raatri Prabhatil Udil Ravichhabi,
Purb Uday Giri Bhaaley
Gaahey Vihangam Punya Sumiran,
Nav Jeevan Rash Dhaley
Tab Karunaarun Raage,
Nidrit Bhaarat Jagey
Tab Charane Nat Maatha
Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey, Jaya Rajeshwar,
Bhaarat Bhaagya Vidhaataa
Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey,
Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey

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 lay our heads.
Victory, victory, victory be to you, the supreme king, the dispenser of the destiny of India!
Victory to you, victory to you, victory to you…

Isn’t it beautiful? Imagine what people are missing out on due to lack of awareness of its existence in its entirety or just plain ignorance.

Personally, Jaya Hey should be included somehow somewhere in the syllabus of every Indian school. Our posterity ought to be introduced, taught and made to understand the importance, significance & meaning of being an Indian and having the privilege of living in a democratic country. Actually, judging by all the vices of our country, primarily headed by corruption, this education should be imparted to every Indian citizen. 

Jaya Hey!

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