As India embarks on two years of celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has released a musical video of a bhajan (Hindi for devotional song), most frequently associated with him.
October 2nd is celebrated every year in India as Gandhi Jayanti (birthday) and is a national holiday. The day is also remembered as International Day of non-violence, the ideal that Gandhi strived for throughout his life.
Mahatma Gandhi, who was born in 1869, played a key role in India's fight for independence. He was assassinated on January 30th in 1948, just five months after leading India to independence from British rule through a non-violent struggle.
A medley version of the song, ‘Vaishnava jan to tene kahiye,’ featuring artists from over 124 countries was released by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
Armenia to Angola
From Armenia to Angola, Sri Lanka to Serbia, Iraq to Iceland, prominent local singers and groups have showcased their talent to this favourite hymn of the Mahatma.
Videos from different regions of the world were then put together in a compilation video of around five minutes to give a flavour of the bhajan as recorded by different artists. It is expected to have a contribution from all countries recognised by the United Nations.
Nauru’s President Baron Divavesi Waqa, is among those who have lent their voices to the song.
The bhajan is in Gujarati and was penned by the 15th-century poet Narsimha Mehta.
“It was one of the favourite bhajans of Mahatma Gandhi who included it into the roster of prayers routinely sung before his meetings.”
The lyrics of the bhajan, Vaishnava jan to tene kahiye je, peer parayi jaane re,’ translate to 'only those who feel the pain of others are fit to be called God’s people.'
Indian diplomatic missions across the world were tasked to identify local artists to record the bhajan in the run-up to the anniversary.
Despite being a mass leader, Gandhi was a foot soldier of the Indian Freedom Movement and human rights. Source: Pixabay
The video reflects the local accents and singing styles of the artists who performed in it.
"The result is an eclectic, colourful and rich rendition of the hymn infused with the local flavour of the region," read a government statement.
'Star performer'
Nauru’s President Waqa is the said to be the “star performer” in the video.
“President Waqa’s gesture was not just a special tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary but was also a personal gift from him to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Jawaharlal Nehru, left, and Mahatma Gandhi at a session of the Indian National Congress in Bombay, India, a few hours before their arrest on Aug 8, 1942. Source: AAP
