Every time our Anthem is played, we are given a chance to appreciate the beauty representing the spirit of our nation. A chance to stand tall, be proud of our heritage and remember the bravery of our freedom fighters.
But for me and my siblings, the Anthem was also the lilting song which my Daddy hummed while lulling us to sleep. When as adults we questioned why, Mummy said that this was the only tune he was familiar with. Then he wrote an article, questioning its ‘origin’, implying it was written to welcome King George. This 'fiery' piece created quite a tremor, not only in our Berhampur backyard but far and wide. Thus turning our gentle patriotic lullaby into something crude and controversial.
Which was the reason I wondered whether there was any valid truth in the allegations. And rightly so, from this symbol of freedom and opportunity, a very interesting story emerged. Not only did I get to know the challenges that the Anthem faced, but also got to understand the essence of this sacred song.
It was in 1911, in a Congress Conference in Calcutta, that people heard this song for the first time. Whether it was written to welcome King George or not really doesn’t matter, for even now in most events, albeit in a different context, there are still paeans being sung, that amount to ‘God Save The King’. Moreover the anthem we sing is an abridged version of the hymn.
The text and the context of any subliminal writing can be interpreted in so many ways. And if it is written by a noble laureate, a musician and an author, who wielded his wea’pen’ to create and weave the dreams of a modern, independent, educated and united India, there is no doubt it also carries a subtle message with it. What matters is that ever since its birth, the hymn ruled the hearts of all the countrymen, leaders and freedom fighters. However, it isn’t wrong to say that it has undergone a few changes.
Originally known as ‘Bharath Bhagya Bidhata’, this Bengali song of benediction, created 36 years before Independence, was adopted from a Brahmo Hymn written by Tagore. When Subhash Chandra Bose was training in Germany to fight against the British army, he needed an Anthem to encourage the men to keep them united. He finally chose the hymn as he felt it represented all Indian regions and religions, and presented the difficulties of revolutions, which was the harsh reality of the Azad Hind Fauj.
This would give all a new identity of India. However, since it was in Bangla Sanskrit, he asked his two Generals Mumtaz Hussain and Abid Hasan to translate it to Hindi. The music was composed with a military beat by the INA captain Ram Singh Thakur. Thus was born ‘Shubh Sukh Chain’ which went on to become the Anthem of the Indian National Army.
In 1919, Tagore translated it in English and called it the ‘Morning Song Of India’. For the first time outside Calcutta in the Besant Theosophical College of Madanapalle in Andhra Pradesh, when Tagore himself sang it in a prayer meeting, it had a magical impact on the audience.
In 1944, when India was struggling for independence and an identity for itself, Bimal Roy introduced it in his Bengali movie ‘Udayer Pathey’. He later brought it out in ‘Humrahi’ where the song was played on the big screen.
Finally in 1947, to represent the country in international festivals, cultural occasions, sporting events, trade fairs, association meets, and Summits, what we needed was a song for an Independent and United India. Since the INA had already chosen the popular song as their anthem, upon Nehru’s insistence, and with minor changes to the Bangla version, Dr. Rajendra Prasad finally declared it as the official anthem.
The original song had five stanzas, of which INA chose three. Our current official Anthem has but one which lasts for 52 seconds. But those few seconds read like a page from Geography, where Tagore creates a map of words, with vivid descriptions of mountains and rivers.
The second verse is a coming together of all religions to weave a garland of unity.
The third describes our journey in the midst of a bloody revolution, with the soothing voice of Bharat Mata guiding us in a path free from pain.
The fourth verse presents a vulnerable and honest side of the poet, when he says that whenever we were terrorised by bad dreams, it was our mother who took us into her lap and protected us. Back then perhaps he spoke of famine, slavery, starvation and revolution. Today we can relate it to the nightmares of religious extremism, poverty, unemployment, poor education and health care. And slavery for the big industrialists.
The last verse mentions the end of a dark night and a magnificent sunrise with chirping birds and a cool breeze finally waking us up to the promise of a new dawn of freedom.
The root word ‘Gana’ in Ganatantra, means the Republican idea of equality which is the basis of the song. We often forget how we got our independence. It was not because of any religious leader but because of the sweat and blood of a number of freedom fighters, who were free from any discrimination of caste, class, religion or gender. Even though we sing just one verse, the exemplary liberal message of our Anthem is clearly visible.
Tagore believed in a universal Hinduism when he insisted that it is Bharat Maa and a Universal God, both spiritual not communal in nature, that unite all Indians. It’s the sacrifice of our revolutionary heroes that has shaped our country for future generations. And everything amounts to a common identity. Not just a rejection of monarchy, but to saying that leaders are not overlords. The spirit of the national anthem thus rejects placing any individual above the citizens. And. It declares that those we elect to govern us are one amongst us. Not above us.
Tagore, who was more a humanist than a nationalist also possessed a rare trait- the quality of introspection. Therefore just standing straight, saluting the flag and singing the Anthem isn’t enough. What we need to do is some soul searching.
On 26th January, 1950 we were promised that there would be one man one vote. But what we still need is the ‘one man one value’ concept in our social and economic life. And until we bring about the right meaning of equality, our democracy will continue to be in danger.