Madanapalle - Jana Gana Mana Translation

Jana Gana Mana Translation

Rabindranath Tagore translated "Jana Gana Mana" from Bengali to English and also set it to music in Madanapalle, a town in Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh.

Though the Bengali song had been written in 1911 itself, it had remained largely confined to the pages of the Brahmo Samaj journal, "Tatva Bodha Prakasika", of which Tagore was the editor.

Great philosopher "Jiddu Krishna Murthy" was born in madanapalle. Now his house was morphed as Library. In Madanapalle he established a world famous "RISHI VALLEY" school.

During 1918-19, Tagore accepted an invitation from a friend and controversial Irish poet James H. Cousins, to spend a few days at the Besant Theosophical College, of which Cousins was the principal. On the evening of February 28, he joined a gathering of students and upon Cousins' request, sang the "Jana Gana Mana" in Bengali. In the days that followed, enchanted by the dreamy hills of Madanapalle, Tagore wrote down the English translation of the song and along with Cousins' wife, Margaret (an expert in western music), set down the notation which is followed till this day.Vani Doraisamy (March 19, 2006). "India beats: A Song for the Nation". Chennai, India: The Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/mag/2006/03/19/stories/2006031900120400.htm. Retrieved 2007-07-25.

Today, in the library of the Besant Theosophical College in Madanapalle, the framed original English translation is displayed. One interesting thing is the first radio news reader is from madanapalli. She is follower of Shri Sarojini Naidu and her name is Shri Jolepalem Mangamma Madam. Even she is having the copy of Jana Gana Mana translated into English by Tagore. Lastly Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are her students.