Kuvempu; Image Source: Star of Mysore
Karnataka is one of the few states of India, which has its own official state Anthem. ‘Jaya Bharatha Jananiya Thanujathe, Jaya he Karnataka Mathe’ the state Anthem of Karnataka is an Ode to the state, its glorious history, tradition, culture, great children of the soil and the breathtakingly beautiful landscapes.
Rashtrakavi Kuvempu (K V Puttappa) wrote ‘Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujaate’ in 1930 and what is surprising is that he used the word ‘Karnataka’ in the song even when the state was not named Karnataka. It is said that the great poet did not even think that the very same poem would one day become the anthem of the state. The poem by itself has a history. It was first written by Kuvempu under pen name ‘Kishorachandravani’ in 1924 and over the years the poem underwent several changes.
Kuvempu, in his autobiography ‘Nenapina Doniyalli’ said that the structure of the poem changed constantly because he was undergoing an emotional evolution himself. A shortened version of the poem was published in anthology ‘Kolalu’ and later, the Kannada Sahitya Parishat decided to accept it as the state anthem officially and wanted the song to be completed in three minutes.
For various reasons, though the unification of state on linguistic lines was over in 1956, till about 2004, the song was considered as state anthem without any official recognition. In 2003, the song was officially declared as the state anthem during birth centenary of Kuvempu.
Here the government retained only four paras out of seven paras of the poem. The first line of each para are- Jaya Bharatha Jananiya tanujathe ‘Jaya He Karnataka Maate’, ‘jananiya jogula vedada ghosha’, ‘sarva janaangada shantiya tota’ and ‘Kannada nudi kunidaaduva geha’. However, a section of people pressurised the government to accept the entire seven para as the state anthem and on February 23, 2004, the state government did the same.
Controversies
Controversies were stoked after some scholars spoke about adding and deleting certain words from the song in 2005. Interestingly, this dispute continued for almost ten years. It created a debate among religious heads, writers and politicians.
Madhwacharya; Image Source: Konkan Connect
It is said that Kuvempu had reasons behind skipping the name of Madhwacharya and retaining the names of Shankaracharya and Ramanujacharya. The Kannadigas felt that Madhwacharya had a deeper connection with Karnataka than Shankaracharya and Ramanucharya. They argued that while Shankara established the Sringeri Matha and Ramanuja stayed in Melukote for 12 years and became the teacher of the legendary Hoysala Emperor Vishnuvardhana, Madhwa was born in Udupi and stayed here for most of his life, propagating the Dvaita philosophy.
Pejawar Seer Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji; Image Source: The News Minute
It was senior Pejawar seer Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji who reportedly intervened and spoke to Kuvempu. Both had a healthy discussion and Kuvempu rightly included Madhwacharya’s name in the anthem. That’s why you can find two versions of the anthem. One which doesn’t include Madhwa’s name and the one which does.
Some even debated against making the poem as the state anthem. Senior journalist Patil Puttappa had said that there was no representation of women in the poem, despite the fact that the land gave birth to great women like Kittur Chennamma, Akkamahadevi and others having been born here.
Earlier, it was decided to keep only 23 lines of the original text in the state anthem. But later, when the issue was blown up, the government decided not to make any changes to the poem and retain the original one. Later, on December 5, 2014, State Anthem Revision Committee chairman Channaveera Kanavi stated that there was no confusion in the revision of the state anthem.
Mysore Ananthaswamy; Image Source: Saavn
For the first time, Mysore Ananthaswamy composed the music for the state anthem. Later, C Ashwath also composed the track which gained popularity. Even this created a dispute on whose music track should be used. But later, Prof GS Shivarudrappa Committee recommended the government to use the track of Mysore Ananthaswamy.
Not the first Anthem
Many argue that ‘Jaya Bharatha Jananiya Thanujathe’ is not the first anthem of Karnataka. According to them, ‘Udayavagali Namma Cheluva Kannada Nadu’ (Let our beautiful Land of Kannada rise) was the first anthem of the state. It was this song which kindled a sense of patriotism about the making of Kannada Nadu when the idea of formation of state on linguistic lines was mooted. Written by legendary poet and freedom fighter Huilgol Narayana Rao, the song was replaced after formation of Karnataka because many felt that the purpose of formation of the state was served and hence the song held no meaning to it anymore.
Huilgol Narayana Rao; Image Source: Wikipedia
However, there were many who felt that while ‘Jaya Bharatha Jananiya Thanujate’ could be made the state anthem and ‘Udayavagali Namma Cheluva Kannada Nadu’ could still be accorded the status of being the state song, just like ‘Jana Gana Mana’ and ‘Vande Matharam’ exist for India. That did not materialise and today, not many know about ‘Udayavagali Namma Cheluva Kannada Nadu’.
Meaning of the state anthem
The beauty of the anthem is such that it accords the first respect to India by calling Karnataka as the daughter of ‘Mother India’. Victory to you Mother Karnataka, the daughter of Mother India! Hail the land of beautiful rivers and forests, hail the abode of saints! You are a new jewel in the crown of Goddess Earth, mine of beautiful gold and sandal wood. Victory to you Mother Karnataka the daughter of Mother India where Rama and Krishna had their incarnations.
Resonance of the Vedas is your Mother’s lullaby for you, and your fervor is Her life. Rows of green mountains are your necklaces. Victory to you Mother Karnataka, the daughter of Mother India who is hailed by Kapila, Patanjali, Gauthama and Jina.
You are a sacred forest whereShankara, Ramanuja, Vidyaranya, Basaveshwara and Madhwara dwelt. You are the holy abode here Ranna, Shadakshari, Ponna, Pampa, Laskhmisha Lakshmisha and Janna were born. You are the blessed resting place of many a poet-nightingales. Victory to Mother Karnataka, the daughter of Mother India the progenitor of Nanak, Ramananda and Kabir.
Hoysala Temple statuary depicting young warrior Sala, who killed a tiger with his bare hands; Image Source: Harekrsna .com
This is the land ruled (in the past) by Tailapas, Hoysalas and affectionate hometown for Dankana and Jakkanna.This land is the blessed stage for Krishna, Sharavathi, Tunga and Kaveri. Victory to you Mother Karnataka, the daughter of Mother India of Chaitanya, Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda.
Garden of peace for all communities, a sight that allures the connoisseurs, the garden where the Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Parsis and Jains grows, the palace of many kings; the place for singers and musicians; the body of the children of Mother Kannada are the places where Kannada notes and tunes dance in joy. Victory to you Mother Karnataka, the daughter of Mother India. Hail the land of beautiful rivers and forests, hail the abode of rasarishis!
