Jana Gana Mana
Jana Gana Mana is India’s national anthem, written and composed by Rabindranath Tagore. Its first stanza was adopted as the anthem in 1950.
Rabindranath Tagore: Rabindranath Tagore was a Bengali poet, novelist, composer, and the first non-European Nobel laureate in literature. He wrote and composed the anthem, first performed publicly in 1911.
Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata: Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata is the original Bengali song by Rabindranath Tagore whose first stanza became India’s national anthem. The anthem is the opening stanza of this five-stanza composition.
National anthem of India: The national anthem of India is the officially recognized anthem, whose adopted version is the first stanza of Jana Gana Mana. This designation gives the song its formal role in state ceremonies.
National song of India: The national song of India is Vande Mataram, a patriotic song distinct from the country’s national anthem. Its separate status is often confused with Jana Gana Mana’s official designation.
Indian National Congress: The Indian National Congress is a political party founded in 1885 that became central to the Indian independence movement. The anthem was first sung at the Congress’s 1911 Calcutta session.
Bengali language: Bengali is an Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal. Tagore wrote the original lyrics in a Sanskritized form of Bengali.
Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971: The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, penalizes certain forms of disrespect toward India’s national symbols. Its provisions address intentional disruption of the anthem’s singing.
Jana Gana Mana (full song): Jana Gana Mana is a five-stanza Bengali song, though only its first stanza serves as India’s national anthem. Distinguishing the full composition from the adopted stanza clarifies what the anthem comprises.
Constituent Assembly of India: The Constituent Assembly of India drafted the country’s Constitution and made key decisions about its national symbols. It adopted Jana Gana Mana as India’s national anthem on 24 January 1950.
Indian subcontinent: The Indian subcontinent is the large landmass of South Asia encompassing India and neighboring countries. The lyrics name regions across this broad geographic and cultural space.