2016-12-27 Tue

“Jana Gana Mana” the national anthem of India was first sung in Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress on 27 December 1911. Today marks the 105th year since our National Anthem was Born!

The 1911 India had just come out of the political crisis of Partition and people of the country were recharged once again to fight for ‘freedom.' Then, at the eastern corner of the country a patriot was busy composing a song that enchanted billions of people for the last 100 years.

This song was first sung on the second day of the annual conference of the Indian National Congress in Calcutta on December 27, 1911. Soon after the Congress conference, in January 1912, the song first appeared before the public under the title Bharata-vidhata in Tottvobodhini Patrika.

After Independence, 'God Save the King' was abandoned. But Indian delegates to the United Nations were asked for India's own national anthem to be played on occasions. In a quick decision, a record of 'Jana Gana Mana' was handed over and played by the UN orchestra. As the tune was highly appreciated by all, it was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India as the National Anthem on January 24, 1950.