Describe a Song Or a Poem About a History of Your Country Cue Card

When you heard it?

This song was from the late nineteenth-century song. It was written by one of the most eminent personalities in India Mr Bankim Chandra Chatterjee. He was not only a poet but also a novelist and journalist. The poem was written in highly Sanskritized Bengali and was included in Chatterjee’s 1882 novel ‘Anandamath’. I heard the song for the first time when I was a child. I was 6-7 years of age.

Where you heard it?

I heard the song for the first time on a radio station named Akashvani. I was then 6 years old. Truly speaking, the language was quite difficult for me to understand. It was highly Sanskritized I was fascinated by it. Understanding my inability, my parents came to the rescue. They explained the meaning of it to me. Once I understood the meaning, I started learning the song and tried to share the same with my friends at school.  I found out that the song played an important role in political activism during the freedom movement in India. The song was banned by the colonial government but the general people defied it.

How do you feel about it?

The poem itself is an ode to the motherland. It beautifully describes the importance of respecting our mother nation. It also describes its diversities, social and cultural relationships and so on. The first two verses of the song have been adopted as the National Song of India. The poem praises India’s vast diversity and social and cultural bonding by imagining the country as a mother goddess. The poem is unique owing to its sweetness, simple directness and high poetic force. By reciting it over and over I have learnt it by heart. I must mention that the musical notes and enchanting words evoke a sense of patriotism in me whenever I listen to them.

Where you heard it?

It is almost a ritual in my country that in every school the National Anthem is played during the morning assemblies. This is particularly done to make children familiar with the history of the nation and to promote a sense of unity among them.

How do you feel about it?

The National Anthem of India is written by the famous poet Rabindranath Tagore and it depicts the country of India in a very thoughtful and aesthetic way. It talks about the ancient rulers and kings of India and highlights the different geographical features of the country. It also beautifully depicts the cultural and social diversity of the country. By reciting it over and over, I have learnt the song by heart. I must mention that the musical notes and enchanting words evoke a sense of patriotism in me whenever I listen to them.

This song unites the entire nation and makes people of different religions, castes and creeds feel united. It is a great tribute from the poet to awaken and unite the people of the nation irrespective of their distinctness. It truly establishes India as a unity in diversity. That is the reason it has been adopted as the National Anthem and it is always played on national days to evoke a sense of unity among the people. Similarly during the sports events also it is played to boost the morale of the participants.

So I think it is one full song that motivates me to do something about my country. Such a thought-provoking piece of the song is really needed today to have liberal thinking. I love it from the deepest core of my heart.

Where you heard it?

I was in my 10th standard. The name of the poem was ‘ Where the mind is without fear.’

The poem is a prayer by the author to God to empower his countrymen to speak fearlessly for their rights and the evils of society and the rulers. It urges God to awaken the countrymen to the realisation that the essential need to live in a free and united country. The poet wants his countrymen to awaken and enjoy a life of dignity and honour.

How do you feel about it?

The poem is really a great tribute from the author to awaken the spirit of the people of the country because it was written in the early twentieth century when the freedom struggle of the country was in full swing and most of the common people were unaware of their rights. It was a time when education and knowledge were considered to be the right of the elite class and not the right of the poor people. So the poet advocated boundless and free knowledge for everyone. The poet also wants his countrymen to hold their heads high in spirit and dignity so that they can move freely without any fear in their minds. One of the best things about this poem is its applicability to the world’s people as it urges them to be united and live in dignity and happiness.

This poem really motivates me to do something for my country. It also evokes a sense of brotherhood and dignity in life. So, I think everyone should read this poem once. I have learnt it by reciting it again and again. It is my father’s favourite poem as well. Sometimes we recite the poem together. I think such a thought-provoking poem is essential for liberal thinking.