An article titled Coronation Durbar, dated Decemwhich appeared in the Indian English daily ‘The Statesman’, specifically mentions the event that took place a century back in Delhi. Many historians debate that the British Indian press misrepresented the song which was sung at the December conference of the Indian National Congress, when both songs were sung at the same event and the matter came into limelight only when it was finally adopted as the National Anthem of the nation in 1950. However, another song in Hindi was sung at the same occasion titled- Badshah Humara written by Rambhuj Chaudhary.

Down the course of history, the song has stood against several tests of time, including the much debatable question regarding the essence of the song, which many claimed was originally written in salutation to King George V on the occasion of the Delhi Durbar on December 15, 1911. The version is not only popular for its lyrical splendour, but reminds one of the original ethoses of the beauty of manuscripts and the cursive appeal or the pen. A handwritten translation in English named The Morning Song of India is available for free over the Internet. Sung proudly by Indians all across the globe, the song has also been translated into various local dialects for better understanding over the ages and is available in libraries across the nation. Praising the God almighty, the song also beautifully represents message of ‘unity in diversity’- a concept that portrays the very essence of the socio-cultural ethos of the nation of India.

Originally of five stanzas, the formal rendition however, was finally decided to be ideally of 52 seconds by the constitution of India, and so includes only the first stanza. It was first sung at the session of the Indian National Congress on Decemand eventually adopted as the Indian National Anthem by the Indian Constitution when it came into force in 1950. Written by Nobel Laureate, poet, litterateur and artist Rabindranath Tagore the song is a Brahmo hymn composed in highly sankritised Bengali. The journey of the song unfolds an interesting history. This is a tribute to the historical proceedings that went into making it an important aspect of the largest democracy of the world. The sense of solidarity it embodies cuts through all geographical boundaries across the globe and cross all ages and socio-economic peripheries – the national anthem of India exudes an intrinsic essence of unity through diversity binding all Indians the world over.

Indian national song