India is a coalition of cultures, each with a unique set of traditions, customs and beliefs. This is the case now and also thousands of years ago. In spite of such an assortment of people and lifestyles, Indians have stuck together even to the point of unifying in their struggle for independence from the British Invaders.

The Indian National Anthem which is now 100 years old is one poem that every Indian, both young and old has learnt from childhood. This soft melody has a made a permanent, indelible impression on the minds of every Indian, breaks through every cultural barrier and unifies India as one strong Nation.
Every child learns the National Anthem at school and memorizes the lyrics. Sporting events have witnessed the National Anthem bond thousands of Indians together.

‘Jana Gana Mana’ translated ‘Thou Art the Ruler of all Minds’ was composed by Nobel Laureate and India’s renowned poet Rabindranath Tagore in December 1911 and rendered by him in the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress.

Though the original script was in Bengali, ‘Jana Gana Mana’, a Hindi translation was chosen to be the National Anthem of India on 24th January 1950. Out of the 5 stanzas of the original rendering, just the first has been adopted as the Indian National Anthem.

Here is the National Anthem of India in Hindi followed by an English translation.

‘Jana Gana Mana’ in Hindi
Jana Gana Mana Adhinayaka Jaya He
Bharat Bhagya Vidhata
Punjab Sindh Gujarat Maratha
Dravida Utkala Banga
Vindhya Himachal Yamuna Ganga
Ucchala Jaladhi Taranga
Tubh Shubha Name Jage
Tubh Shubha Ashisha Mange
Gahe Tubh Jaya Gata
Jan Gan Mangaladayak Jaya He
Bharat Bhagya Vidhata
Jaye He! Jaye He! Jaye He!
Jaye, Jaye, Jaye, Jaye He.

‘Jana Gana Mana’ in English
Thou are the ruler of the minds of all people, dispenser of India's destiny.
The name rouses the hearts of Punjab, Sind, Gujarat and Maratha. Of the Dravid and Orissa and Bengal.
It Echoes in the hills of Vindhyas and Himalayas, mingles in the music of Yamuna and Ganga and is chanted by the waves of the Indian Sea.
They pray for your blessing and sing thy praise. The salvation of all people is thy hand, thou dispenser of India's destiny. Victory, Victory, Victory to thee.

The National Anthem is sung in India on various occasions and every Indian is expected to stand respectfully while the Anthem is played or sung.

Here are links to order your own mp3 of the National Anthem of India

AR Rahman's Jana Gana Mana (National Anthem )

"Jana Gana Mana" The National Anthem of India - Single