📚 Part of: Church History And Government Restructuring Mcqs

Rabindranath Tagore's 'Jana Gana Mana' has been adopted as India's National Anthem. How many stanzas of the said song were adopted?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Correct Answer: A) Only the first stanza.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, State PSC, Bank PO, CLAT

Difficulty: Easy

Concept notes:

Rabindranath Tagore composed 'Jana Gana Mana' in 1911, and it was officially adopted as India's national anthem in 1950. The anthem is derived from a longer poem, but only the first stanza is used officially. This stanza is a hymn to the unity and diversity of India.

Common Mistakes:
  • Students may confuse the number of stanzas used in the national anthem.
  • Some may think the entire poem is the national anthem.
  • Others might believe that multiple stanzas are used.
Explanation:

Rabindranath Tagore, a renowned poet, philosopher, and Nobel laureate, composed the poem 'Jana Gana Mana' in 1911. The poem was originally written in Bengali and later translated into several other languages. It was first sung at the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress on December 24, 1911.

The poem 'Jana Gana Mana' is a part of a larger collection of poems titled 'Bharat Vidhata'. The poem itself is a hymn to the unity and diversity of India, praising the country's rich cultural heritage and the spirit of its people. The poem is divided into several stanzas, each with its own theme and message.

However, when the Indian National Anthem was officially adopted on January 24, 1950, only the first stanza of the poem was chosen. The first stanza is a powerful and concise expression of the nation's aspirations and unity. It is a call to the people of India to work together for the progress and prosperity of the country.

The first stanza of 'Jana Gana Mana' is as follows:

"Jana-gana-mana-adhinayaka, jaya he

Bharata-bhagya-vidhata.

Punjab-sindhu-gujarat-maratha

Dravida-ujjala-ramana

Vindhya-himachala-yamuna-ganga

Uchchala-jaladhi-taranga

Tava shubh-name jage, tava shubh-ashisa mage

Gana-erana heri, jaya he, jaya he, jaya he,

Jaya jaya jaya, jaya he."

This stanza is sung at official state functions, national events, and other significant occasions to honor the nation. The choice of only the first stanza ensures that the anthem remains concise and powerful, capturing the essence of the nation's spirit and unity.

It is important to note that while the other stanzas of the poem are not part of the national anthem, they are still significant in their own right and are often studied and appreciated for their poetic and cultural value. The decision to use only the first stanza as the national anthem was made to ensure that the anthem remains a unifying symbol for all Indians, regardless of their regional or linguistic backgrounds.

In conclusion, the Indian National Anthem 'Jana Gana Mana' consists of only the first stanza of the original poem composed by Rabindranath Tagore. This stanza is a powerful expression of the nation's unity and aspirations, and it is officially recognized and sung on all significant national occasions.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: This option is correct. The Indian National Anthem, 'Jana Gana Mana', consists of only the first stanza of the original poem composed by Rabindranath Tagore. The other stanzas are not officially part of the anthem.
  • Option B: This option is incorrect. The entire poem 'Jana Gana Mana' is not used as the national anthem. Only the first stanza is officially recognized and sung as the national anthem.
  • Option C: This option is incorrect. The third and fourth stanzas are not part of the national anthem. The national anthem consists solely of the first stanza.
  • Option D: This option is incorrect. The national anthem does not include the first and second stanzas. Only the first stanza is officially recognized and sung as the national anthem.

Mnemonic: JGM1 - Jana Gana Mana, 1 stanza

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