Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite devotional song ‘Vaishnava Jan To’ has gone global with artists from over 124 countries having contributed musically in paying homage to him through the ‘bhajan’.
On the 149th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday launched a medley version of the famous ‘bhajan’ by artists from over 40 countries, during the closing ceremony of the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Conference, a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) statement said.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation Uma Bharti and other eminent personalities were present on the occasion. As part of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi, artists from over 124 countries have contributed musically in paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi through his favourite bhajan ‘Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye’, the MEA said.
The famous Gujarati hymn was penned by the 15th century poet Narsimha Mehta and was one of the favourite ‘bhajans’ of Mahatma Gandhi who included it into the roster of prayers routinely sung before his meetings, it said. All Indian missions abroad identified local artists or a group to record the ‘bhajan’ in the run-up to Gandhi Jayanti.
Bapu unites the world!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 2, 2018
Among the highlights of today’s programme was the excellent rendition of Bapu’s favourite 'Vaishnav Jan To' by artists from 124 nations.
This is a must hear. #Gandhi150 pic.twitter.com/BBaXK0TOf9
The result is an eclectic, colourful and rich rendition of the hymn infused with the local flavour of the region, the MEA said. “From Armenia to Angola, Sri Lanka to Serbia, Iraq to Iceland, prominent local singers/groups have showcased their talent to this favourite hymn of the Mahatma. 1-2 videos from different regions of the world were then put together in a fusion video of about 5 minutes to give a flavour of the bhajan as recorded by different artists,” it said.
The world joins in paying homage to Bapu through his favourite Bhajan 'Vaishnav Jan To'. PM @narendramodi & EAM @SushmaSwaraj release a medley version of bhajan from artists of 124 countries at function at Rashtrapati Bhawan. Press Release at https://t.co/yhWnzY0Sb8 #BapuAt150 pic.twitter.com/GwQpQajvJ9
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) October 2, 2018
The MEA said that it was expected to have contribution from all the countries recognised by the United Nations. Amongst those who have contributed included President Baron Divavesi Waqa of Nauru. President Waqa’s gesture was not just a special tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, but was also a personal gift from him to Prime Minister Modi, it said.
Below is the lyrics of the Bhajan Vaishnav Jana te
Vaishnava Jana To, Tene Kahiye Je
Peed Paraayi Jaane Re,
Para Duhkhe Upakāra Kare To Ye
Mana Abhimāna Na Āne Re
Vaishnava Jana To, Tene Kahiye Je
Peed Paraayi Jaane Re
Sakala Loka Mā Sahune Vande,
Nindā Na Kare Kenī Re,
Vāca Kācha Mana Niścala Rākhe,
Dhana Dhana Jananī Tenī Re
Vaishnava Jana To, Tene Kahiye Je
Peed Paraayi Jaane Re
Sama-Drishthi Ne Trishnā Tyāgī,
Para-Strī Jene Māta Re,
Jihvā Thakī Asatya Na Bole,
Para-Dhana Nava Jhāle Hātha Re
Vaishnava Jana To, Tene Kahiye Je
Peed Paraayi Jaane Re
Moha Māyā Vyāpe Nahi Jene,
Dridha-Vairāgya Jenā Manamā Re,
Rāma-Nāma Śhu Tālī Re Lāgī,
Sakala Tīratha Tenā Tanamā Re
Vaishnava Jana To, Tene Kahiye Je
Peed Paraayi Jaane Re
Vana-Lobhī Ne Kapata-Rahita Chhe,
Kāma Krodha Nivāryā Re,
Bhane Narasaiyo Tenu Darasana Karatā,
Kula Ekotera Tāryā Re
Vaishnava Jana To, Tene Kahiye Je
Peed Paraayi Jaane Re
Famous bhajan "Vaishnav Jan To Tere Kahiye Je" has been recorded in the voice of Ms Heather Lee, an award winning singer and soloist. #BapuAt150 pic.twitter.com/I5uq2Rpqcq
— India in Australia (@HCICanberra) October 3, 2018
The world joins in paying homage to Bapu - PM @narendramodi released a medley version of Bhajan 'Vaishnav Jan To' from artists of 124 countries at a function in Rashtrapati Bhawan. https://t.co/JNflCHI51p …
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) October 2, 2018
Stunning LED display at the iconic Burj Khalifa in Dubai!
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) October 2, 2018
Message of Mahatma Gandhi resonates world over as more than 120 locations world over join in paying homage to Bapu on #BapuAt150. pic.twitter.com/4ZYTNaSvee
Greetings to everyone on the occasion of #GandhiJayanti!#MahatmaGandhi's principles of peace, tolerance, inclusion, social equality, non-discrimination & non-violence are also important Canadian values!#Gandhi150 pic.twitter.com/Ri4orGJAb4
— Canada in India (@CanadainIndia) October 2, 2018
Goosebumps .. the most beautiful rendition of”Vaishnav Jan to” an amalgamation of artistes from across the globe ! Fantastic! https://t.co/bbCjysRvKM
— Raveena Tandon (@TandonRaveena) October 2, 2018
#MahatmaGandhi is beyond territorial boundaries. He is a source of inspiration for the whole world - this rendition of ‘Vaishnav Jan To’ by artists from 124 Nations is a lovely tribute to the memory of Pujya Bapu. #Gandhi150 pic.twitter.com/wI8mAWYc54
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) October 2, 2018
‘Vaishnav Jan To’ - Bapu’s favourite hymn has been reimagined as a #Sarod tribute to the #MahatmaGandhi.
— Amjad Ali Khan (@AAKSarod) October 2, 2018
with @AmaanAliBangash & @AyaanAliBangash
To listen to the entire song: https://t.co/TCiSX7Dsav#GandhiAt150 #GandhiJayanti @HCLConcerts@narendrmodi @swachhbharat #CleanIndia
India celebrates 150th Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of Nation. #BapuAt150 https://t.co/eLqvA90gOB
— India in Qatar (@IndEmbDoha) October 2, 2018
150th birth anniversary of #MahatmaGandhi commemorated at #Reykjavik Iceland @indembiceland with release of postage stamps, music video of #Gandhi's favourite bhajan #VaishnavJanTo sung by Icelander Geir Olafsson, & projection on chancery facade. #BapuAt150 #Gandhi150 pic.twitter.com/UK8DnayEPT
— India in Iceland (@indembiceland) October 3, 2018
