Difference Between National Anthem and National Song of India
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: November 14th, 2023
Difference Between National Anthem and National Song: All citizens must know the difference between National Anthem and National Song, the two patriotic compositions accepted at the national level. A national song is a patriotic hymn authorized and recognized by the country’s government, which one can sing at public events and functions. Singing the national anthem is compulsory during all-important public occasions, according to the Indian Parliament.
Difference Between National Anthem and National Song PDF
The national song of India does not have constitutional rights and is not included under a fundamental duty. A national anthem is a musical composition that highlights the country’s history, tradition, and culture and is always sung at international sports events, historic days, etc. This article will present the significant difference between National Anthem and National Song. You may refer to this information for preparation for any competitive exams.
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Difference between National Anthem and National Song
The terms National Song and National Anthem are often used interchangeably, but these two mean different. Countries that do not have national songs consider the national anthem as their national song. A detailed difference between National Anthem and National Song of India is as follows.
National Song vs National Anthem
| Difference between National Anthem and National Song | |
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National Anthem |
National Song of India |
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A national anthem reflects a country’s tradition, culture, and history. |
A national song presents the relevance to the country’s population based on various factors. |
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It is a musical composition with a particular tune, timing, lyrics, and rules that should be adhered to while singing. |
It can have many variations which depend on the language and traditional factors. |
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“Jana Gana Mana” is the National Anthem of India. It was composed by Rabindranath Tagore in the year 1911. |
“Vande Mataram” is the national song of India. It was composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in the 1870s. |
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The tradition of embracing patriotic hymns or national anthems officially became popular during the 19th century. |
National Songs were sung by most of the people who adopted it as the National Anthem. An example is “La Marseillaise”, composed during the initial years of the French Revolution. |
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According to Article 51A of the Indian Constitution, it is the duty of every Indian citizen to respect and honour the national anthem. |
It does not have such constitutional privileges. It is not listed as a fundamental duty. |
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The Indian Parliament has made the singing of the national anthem compulsory during all public occasions. |
The National song is given equal importance as the national anthem, but it is not compulsory to sing it on every occasion. |
National Song and National Anthem
The national song and the national anthem are patriotic songs that relate to the diversity of a country. The national anthem is a formally adopted song by the government. Not every country has both.
National Song of India
The first political event when the National Song of India was sung was the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress. The National song is versed in the Sanskrit and Bengali languages. Some of the key features of the national song of India are:
- Vande Mataram is the national song of India.
- It was considered the national cry for freedom.
- There are three different versions of ‘Vande Mataram.’
- All these versions are of different timings and tunes.
- It was originally written in the Sanskrit language.
National Anthem
The National Anthem of India (Bharat Bhagya Bidhata) is a patriotic song that comprises thirty-two stanzas organized symmetrically into eight sections of four lines each. The key features of the national anthem of India are as follows:
- The time duration of the national anthem is fifty-two seconds.
- Jana Gana Mana is the national anthem of India.
- It was originally written in the Bengali language.
- Everybody must pay respect and stand while singing the national anthem.
Conclusion:
Key Difference Between National Anthem and National Song
The key Difference Between National Anthem and National Song is that Rabindranath Tagore composed the National Anthem of India (Jana Gana Mana) in 1911, while the national song of India (Vande Mataram) was composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in the 1870s.
