National Anthem
National Anthem official song of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. Composed by rabindranath tagore in Bangla in 1906, the song 'Amar Sonar Bangla' became popular during the swadeshi movement in the first two decades of the 20th century. The anti-partitionists (those who opposed the partition of bengal in 1905), Swadeshi activists and the revolutionaries used this song as a medium to stir the spirit of patriotism among the Bangali masses. But with the decline of regional nationalism from the 1920s, this song went out of currency until its revival on the eve of Bangladesh war of liberation. On 3 March 1971, the song was played at a meeting organised at Paltan Maidan by the Students League and the Sramik League. The seventh march address of Bangabandhu sheikh mujibur rahman at the Racecourse Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan) in Dhaka was preceded by this song. On 23 March it was played when Swadhin Bangla Kendriya Chhatra Sangram Parishad held ceremonial parade marking independence.
The Bangladesh Government in exile adopted this song as the national anthem of Bangladesh, and it was accordingly used by swadhin bangla betar kendra throughout the period of War of Liberation. The Constitution of Bangladesh (Article 4.1) adopted the song as the national anthem of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. The first ten lines of the song have been specified to make the anthem for vocal music and the first four lines for instrumental music.
National Anthem
My Bengal of gold, I love you
Forever your skies, your air set my heart in tune
as if it were a flute.
In Spring, Oh mother mine, the fragrance from
your mango-groves makes me wild with joy,
Ah, what a thrill!
In Autumn, Oh mother mine,
in the full-blossomed paddy fields,
I have seen spread all over sweet smiles!
Ah, what a beauty, what shades, what an affection
and what a tenderness!
What a quiet have you spread at the feet of
banyan trees and along the banks of rivers!
Oh mother mine, words from your lips are like
Nectar to my ears!
Ah, what a thrill!
If sadness, Oh mother mine, casts a gloom on your face
my eyes are filled with tears!
(Official translation by Syed Ali Ahsan)
Protocol regarding playing the national anthem
Full national anthem has to be played on special days like Independence Day, Victory Day and Shaheed Day.
While the President/Prime Minister attends a function as chief guest, full national anthem has to be played on his/her arrival at and departure from the venue of function.
Full national anthem has to be played before a toast is proposed to President/Prime Minister in his/her presence, but only first four lines to be played if absent.
While presenting Guard of Honour to a head of state of a foreign country, full national anthem shall be played while the President's salute is given. On such occasion, the national anthem of the visitor's nation shall be played first, to be followed by the national anthem of Bangladesh. But if the visitor is a head of government, only first four lines should be played. All other ceremonies remain the same.
At official functions held by foreign missions in Bangladesh, the first four lines shall be played. The national anthem of Bangladesh shall be played first, to be followed by the national anthem of the foreign state concerned.
At all other inaugural and ceremonial functions and public meetings etc held by President, Prime Minister, diplomatic missions, national anthem is played according to approved rules.
There are approved rules of showing respect to the national anthem by civilians and persons in uniform, and there are rules regarding singing national anthem at educational institutions and all other public places. For armed forces, there are detailed rules as regards singing or playing the national anthem. [AKM Farooq]
