If you are someone who habitually gets the goose bumps each time you hear the Indian National Anthem, you should watch and hear each of these videos fully. If you are someone loves songs that inspire a sense of pride, joy, belonging and love for the nation, you will truly enjoy the various interpretations of Jana Gana Mana, the incredible composition written and composed by Rabindranath Tagore as well as the other compositions in this collection.
The Silent National Anthem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk02qPlnS2E
Many of us have probably seen this before the start of films in the theatre. As these beautiful differently abled children give us this wordless rendition of our national anthem, take a moment to think or those who face unbelievable odds to emerge smiling and triumphant.
A. R. Rahman’s Version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftD3gDA-5S0
This is an incredible version not only because Rahman has interpreted it in his own unique style but because of the sweeping, magnificent visuals and the participation of musicians such as Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia on the flute, Vikku Vinayakram on the ghattam, sarod maestro Ut Amjad Ali Khan’s sons Amaan and Ayaan, Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma and his son Rahul, Sultan Khan, Pt Jasraj, Bhupen Hazarika, Lata Mangeshkar, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Hariharan, Asha Bhonsle, Pt Bhimsen Joshi, Jagjit Singh, Dr Balamuralikrishna, Shobha Gurtu, Parveen Sultana, Rashid Khan and so many others. This is truly a feast and must undoubtedly have been a gargantuan project for Rahman.
Jana Gana Mana Indian Military
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_RGzJzhLnE
This is another instrumental rendition you have probably heard in the theatre one day; one that made you marvel at our armed forces who fearlessly fight it out at the world’s highest battlefield. Shot around the Siachen Glacier, this is a sobering reminder of our brave soldiers who face the harshest odds just so each of us can sleep peacefully at night.
WIFT National Anthem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1pQSRQgrpk
The video features some of the most recognizable Indian female faces in a simple but moving rendition in monochrome and the tricolors. This was released on the occasion of Women’s Day 2014.
39 Artists singers singing the Jana Gana Mana
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VUPbrbsXmA
This Jana Gana Mana video features 39 artistes – folk singers and national. It is over 10 minutes long and features the whole national anthem with 4 additional the verses and is interspersed with inspiring lines of the national anthem’s English translation.
Today is India’s Republic Day and we owe it to our country to stand up and feel proud. Proud to be Indian. Jai Hind!
Author: Reena Daruwalla
