Difference between National Anthem and National Song

21-11-2024

11:15 AM

The ‘Azad Hind’ team decided “Jana Gana Mana” as India’s National Anthem and “Vande Mataram” as the National Song, representing the country’s culture/history. Check out Difference between National Anthem and National Song in the article below.

The terms National Anthem and National Song are often mentioned together, leading many to overlook confusions in the differences between them. However, for UPSC CSE aspirants, understanding these distinctions is essential as they can be relevant to questions on Indian polity, history, or culture. So, to make that easier for you we have created an elaborated Difference between National Anthem and National Song for your ease, which includes not only the difference but other important facts that an aspiring candidate should know.

Difference between National Anthem and National Song

In most countries, the topic Difference between National Anthem and National Song is a bit confusing as they don’t have the National Song separately and usually mix up the terms as well. In the table below, we have highlighted the major Difference between National Anthem and National Song for your reference.

Difference between National Anthem and National Song
National Anthem	National Song
A National Anthem reflects the history and culture of the country.	A country’s population will strongly relate to a National Song due to many different factors.
A National Anthem will have a particular pronunciation, specific tune and specified timings which must be adhered to by those singing it.	A National Song will have different variations depending on language and other cultural factors.
The National Anthem of India is the “Jana Gana Mana” composed by Rabindranath Tagore in 1911.	The National Song is “Vande Mataram” composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in the 1870.
As per Article 51A of the Constitution of India, honouring the National Anthem is one of the fundamental duties of a citizen of India.	The National Song does not have such constitutional privileges where honouring it is listed as a fundamental duty of a citizen of India.
The Parliament of India has exercised its right to make the singing of the National Anthem mandatory on select occasions.	The National Song is held in equal reverence to the national anthem, but it is not mandatory to sing it at any given occasion.
The custom of officially adopting patriotic hymns as national anthems became a trend during the 19th century.	At the time, National Songs that were widely known and sung by the majority population of a country were at times adopted as the National Anthem. An example of this is the “La Marseillaise”, written in 1792 by Claude Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle. It was composed during the initial years of the French Revolution as a means to inspire the population.

Meaning of National Anthem

In India’s democracy, the true ruler is not a king or a government, but the people—the citizens who form the backbone of this vibrant nation. Rabindranath Tagore, in his masterpiece Jana Gana Mana, beautifully expresses this sentiment, invoking Kala (Time) as the destiny maker of India, symbolising the collective will of its people.

This national anthem is more than just a song; it is a tribute to India’s unity, diversity, and shared heritage. It tunes the nation to move forward and still stay united, celebrating the cultural and geographical richness of regions like Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat, Bengal, and the Dravidian heartlands. The anthem's words honour the sacred rivers, mighty mountains, and the unbreakable spirit of the land. It acknowledges the courage of soldiers guarding the borders and the efforts of farmers sustaining the nation. Tagore’s words remind us that India’s strength lies in its citizens—those shaping the nation’s future.

Key Features of Jana Gana Mana

Title: Jana Gana Mana
Composer and Lyricist: Rabindranath Tagore
Musical Scale: Based on Raag Alhiya Bilawal, blending classical melody with universal appeal.
Date of Composition: December 11, 1911
First Performance: December 27, 1911, at the Indian National Congress session in Kolkata.
Adopted as National Anthem: January 24, 1950
Duration: 52 seconds, embodying profound meaning in brevity.
Original Language: Bengali (Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata)
Theme: Unity in Diversity

About the National Song

"Vande Mataram," written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in a blend of Sanskrit and Bengali, is the National Song of India. First featured in his novel Anand Math in 1882, with its tune composed by Yadunath Bhattacharya, it became a symbol of patriotism during India’s freedom struggle.

Adopted as the national song by the Congress in 1905 and officially recognized in 1950, its powerful verses inspired unity and resistance during movements like Bengal’s partition and Gandhi’s non-cooperation. Even today, it evokes pride and devotion during national celebrations. Globally, it gained recognition when ranked second in a 2003 BBC poll of the world's greatest songs, reflecting its enduring legacy as a unifying anthem for India.

Why is Jana Gana Mana the National Anthem but not Vande Mataram?

In 1941, after escaping to Berlin, Subhas Chandra Bose formed a group of Indians determined to challenge British rule. During a meeting on November 2, 1941, the ‘Azad Hind’ team decided that “Jana Gana Mana” would be India’s National Anthem and “Jai Hind” its greeting, as these represented the country’s culture and history.

There was debate over "Vande Mataram," which was opposed by Abid Hasan for being difficult for the masses to sing. Bose, however, believed "Jana Gana Mana" better represented India’s diverse regions. Months later, Bose introduced the 55-second version of the anthem at the inauguration of the German-Indian Society, where both Indian and German National Anthems were played by the Chamber Orchestra of Radio Hamburg.

Difference between National Anthem and National Song FAQs

Q1. Which is the National Song and National Anthem of India?

Ans. The National Anthem of India is Jana Gana Mana, composed by Rabindranath Tagore. The National Song of India is Vande Mataram which was written by Bankimchandra Chatterji.

Q2. When was the National Anthem written?

Ans. The National Anthem of India is the “Jana Gana Mana” which was composed by Rabindranath Tagore in 1911.

Q3. What is the difference between Rashtra Geet and Rashtra Gaan?

Ans. The meaning of the word 'Rashtra' is Nation. Rashtra Gaan is the National Anthem and Rashtra Geet is the National Song

Q4. Why does India have both national songs and national anthems?

Ans. National anthem and national song both refer to patriotic songs that describe the culture and pride associated with the country.