The Issue Of The National Anthem In Both Official Languages Put Into Perspective.
Posted on December 13th, 2010
Insight By Sunil Kumar
Dec.13th 2010 ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ There seems to be some misinformation on the issue of the National Anthem and its Tamil connections as the barkings from all the unwanted sources such as Karunanidhi that age old rabble rouser from Tamil Nadu and a few self styled pundits blasting away with their epithets at the well intended surmissions of the likes of the Hon.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Minister of Housing and Construction, Wimal WeerawansaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ who has voiced his support towards the Cabinet decision to do away with the Tamil version of the National Anthem although he seems to have overstepped his statutes of limitations where he has even gone as far as suggesting this practice a joke.
A practice which was ingrained into the Sri Lankan Constitution of 1978 perhaps little known to some Sri Lankans but indeed a provision where there is a Tamil version of the National Anthem or its incorporation into it thereof.
While the Minister has been acolladed by some, he has also borne the brunt of a few causticƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and contradictory negativeƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ comments similar to those of Karunanidhi barking away from Tamil NaduƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ which constitutes dabbling intoƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the internal affairs of Sri Lanka from his standpointƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ as though it is any concern of his, where for the record certain realities and truisms need to be put into perspective.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Firstly the National Anthem of IndiaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ if used in an analogical contextƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ perhaps rightly so, needsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ referential modification that the Minister’sƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ assumption of the language is erroneous that it is in Hindi whereas it is in Bengali and was composed by one of India’s greatest poet laureates Rabindranath Tagore and has been an accepted norm for generations.
Secondly it needs to be observed that India the largest population in the world has had no need for an alternative language in which the anthem is sung as the issue by itself seems petty in a land of a vast conglomerate of languages and dialectsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and in this sense what the Minister is saying probably needs to be upheld on the basis of sensibility and rationality as well as practicalityƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ that it should be sung in the majority language although constitutionally itƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ provides for both LanguagesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ but unless a constitutional amendment is made to incorporate the use of Sinhala only! it will remain unswayed and a judgement call perhaps relative toƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ location.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ While there areƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ practicalities involved in the usage of a bilingial anthemƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ towards assuaging the pains of communal conflictƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ at this time of reconciliation in Sri Lanka and its use as an olive branch to pacify the Tamil minority seemingly of the essence it is a non issue already being in place.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ PerhapsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the MinisterƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ in envisioning thisƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ as a jokeƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ has missed the importance of it allƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and might have suggested that there are advantages to the Nation if the bilinguality of the Anthem was upheld and applied in situations which demand it such as in the North and East of Sri Lanka where the populace is predominantly Tamil, parochial though it may sound albeit conciliatory.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ While it isƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ is a burning issue with certain zealots it seems of the least importance to a NationƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ with ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ far greater needs andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ prioritiesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ where jokes apart regardless of what language the anthem is sung in, the outstanding panaceas to a Nation’s woesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ with huge financial dilemmas relative to the cost of living, foreign debt as well as all the otherƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ills of a burdgeoning population cannot be overlooked and will not be resolved by the language of the National Anthem!
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It is also incorrect to suggest as the Hon. Minister has done that “Only in Sri Lanka is this being practiced and itƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s a joke. This decision was simply a correction of an error made through the Constitution of 1978,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ in no other country is the National Anthem sung in multiple languages including India where the National Anthem is only sung in Hindi despite the hundreds of languages been spoken in the country”ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ as there’s far more to it than such a misinformed euphemism.
It isƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ a well knowƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ factƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ thatƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Canada is a nationƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ with a National Anthem which is bilingual and combined with English as well as French lyricsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and there could be others but to even suggest that the Sri Lankan ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ National Anthem could incorporate both official languages Sinhalese and Tamil synonymously albeit a practical one could result in far greater turmoil at the very thought of it than any of the present ‘storms in teacups’ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ knowing the volatility of the Sri Lankan Nation over such a concept and the anger it could unleash amongst certain hard line communities.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
Case In point being Sri Lanka should live and let live as far as how the National Anthem is sung the way it is and to each his own!
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December 13th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
A decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting held recently headed by the President Mahinda Rajapksha, who pointed out that no country in the world uses the national anthem in other than one language, the ‘Sunday Times’ reported on Sunday.This is absolutely a load of fresh and warm bullshit, just created by Mahinda for local consumption. Take for Instance, Canada has a bilingual national anthem. In South Africa the national anthem is much more complicated, the lyrics employ the five most widely spoken of South Africa’s eleven official languages – Xhosa (first stanza, first two lines), Zulu (first stanza, last two lines), Sesotho (second stanza), Afrikaans (third stanza) and English (final stanza).
December 13th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Sri Lanka cannot be compared t o other countries: most countries do not and do not need to. Tamil bring up many countries as an example when it useful for their conspiracy. Britain and US for example will never do it. Canada did it because Canada recognize French and English Canadian are only the founder of Canada. Additionally Canada have 200 year history and there is nothing similar to compare Sri Lanka to Canada. And Sri Lanka president is right and Sri Lanka govt has to correct many more thing; one of them is removing colors from from national flag. This is the another joke Sri Lanka politician did being afraid of the Tamil.
Sinhalese are the founding nation of Sr Lanka and Sri Lanka flag mus be original just like UK, US, Saudi Arabia etc
December 13th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
See how powerful Karunanidhi is. One telephone call from Vasudava Nanaykara to Krunanidhi who then gave a statement that it cannot be done. See how the SL government reacted! John Senevirathna said that he is the National Antham minister and he will not allow to ban the Tamil version! Only the land was taken away from the Tamil Nadu tamils on May 2009, the political control is of SL is still with Tamil Nadu Tamils. It will take at least five to six years to change this and Sinhala to kick the Tamil Nadu influence out. So Wimal Weerawansa has to wait. Remember Denash Gunawardena made a statement in the parliament about Kachathive Island and Karunanidhi said it belongs to India. Then Denash had to back away?
December 13th, 2010 at 8:40 pm
Our foreign policy is turning to be a disaster, and all because we can’t decide that we must accept Tamils as part of our Nation. Let extremist Tamils say what they want to – we don’t need to make knee jerk reactions.
If Tamils sing the a translated National Anthem in the language they know to the same tune as we Sinhalese sing it, isn’t that an affirmation that they belong with us? Wimal W. described as “well-intentioned!” Why not research before making these statements? Don’t the Swiss sing their anthem in 4 languages, the Belgians in 3, and if we don’t want to be stuck with white European countries why not research Nigeria or Singapore? NeelaMahaYodaya has already commented on South Africa. How much are we, the people, paying our Diplomats, Politicians and Jokers in general to make a mess of our country. We have emerged from the Hell of Civil War – don’t plunge us back into it, please.
December 13th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
I agree with Jayt.
Those outside can say anything.
Which is the native language of Canada for 5000 years ?
What is the language of Australia for 30000 years ?
If Chinese capture Sri Lanka today, what language will they keep as national anthem ? Singapore NA is in Malay even though 75% Chinese don’t understand it( except few oldies).
Remove racial barriers buy making people to speak one language, even if it is Chinese.
December 14th, 2010 at 4:46 am
Since 1947 now more than 60 years why not Indian national anthem sung in tamil at least in tamil country. Why not Karunanidhi implement his policy in tamil country first.
If national anthem should sung in every ethnic language then Indian national anthem should sung in Hindi, Gujarati, Marati, Thelegu, tamil, Kannadi, Malayali etc. Why not India follows South African style or Canadian style. If it is so American national anthem should sung in English, Spanish and Swahili etc. Canadian or South African examples are not applicable to whole universe. Both countries are created by British invaders first, then the land looters second. Those examples are irrelevant neither to India, nor to Sri Lanka.
There are more tamils in Malaysia than Sri Lanka but the Malaysian national anthem is in Malay only. In Singapore national anthem never sung in tamil.
Why only Sri Lankans wanted to sung the national anthem in tamil. Is it to satisfy eelamist or tamil nadu extremists? You guys cannot satisfy tamils after sung national anthem in tamil. Give entire Sri Lanka even they are not satisfied. Next they will ask whole Indian Ocean including Maldives.
After sung national anthem in tamil, next agenda will be to change our national flag. They will ask to divide Sinhala flag in to two. Top part for the LTTE tiger flag and the bottom part for the Sinhala flag. All good we’ll see whether our pundits can satisfy tamil racists
December 14th, 2010 at 7:33 am
National Anthem is a piece to make people PATRITIC and not to exercise petty politics. Mahinda propased this bullshit after he faced the OXFORD fiasco. He is unable to do anything against the British but he makes a blunder to fool the Sinhalese. If he feels a WATERLOO at OXFORD, he must closedown British High Commission and not bark at the local Tamils.
From my childhood I sang “namo namo thaayE” and felt much be a Sri Lankan.
Patriotism never come through LANGUAGE.
All these days we had Bi-lingual anthem. This sudden move is something wrong. Mahinda is now catching wrong ropes!
Will Mahinda and Boruwansa ask the Tamils not to speak Tamil in the future?
December 14th, 2010 at 7:37 am
Jayt is right.
In the Treaty of 1763, France ceded Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tobago to Britain.
Canada was one of the French “trading posts” at that time, especially for animal fur. Since the French formed the Canadian outpost first, it is only right that the French language be incorporated into the Canadian National Anthem.
This is not the case between the Sinhala & Tamil populations of Lanka
The Sri Lankan National Anthem should be sung in the Sinhala Language. That seems right and proper to us. Come, Tamil People, join Sri Lanka, not Tamil Nadu ! It is high time you all decided which side of the Palk Straights you want to live in.
December 14th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
We desperately need reconciliation, but can’t predict who will next rock the boat or how. I see that few will heed my pleadings made two days ago. Nanda has “answered” me effectively.
I have looked the subject up in Wikipedia, and she is “right”! Only the Malay version of the Singaporean National Anthem is “constitutionally recognised” but the anthem is widely sung in Mandarin Chinese, English, – and guess what – in Tamil! I’m a very ordinary Sinhalese citizen of Sri Lanka and it is not my business to research these topics. But most emphatically politicians who make statements must check their facts.
Nanda further alludes (in English, she writes, mind you!) to 30,000 years of Aborigine culture destroyed by the British. Shame on the Brits, but can’t we move on? We cannot right all wrongs but we CAN desist from creating fresh problems.
One Language for the whole world (Chinese, she suggests), not just for Sri Lanka would be wonderful. Then WORK for it, study Linguistics etc., don’t naively spread dissension and hatred. I offer no magic formula – just live and let live! Our individual lives are short, let us not over-reach ourselves. I’ll be dead long before Real Peace and Harmony are restored in my country, judging by what is now happening.
December 15th, 2010 at 12:16 am
I agree with GEETHAL. I think it is not wise to create more problems based on language. This language divide is a creation of the colonial rule. Are we still following colonial sentiments over our own people?
In reality, national anthem never feed the people or solve any problem. That is why no one worried about singing national anthem in Canada except few occasions on Parliament hills.
December 15th, 2010 at 7:17 am
Mudali: Please tell Tamil People of Lanka not to swamp Lanka with the Tamil Language Issue.
Tamils demand and get what they want on the Language Issue, and then tell Sinhala people “not wise to create more problems based on language”. It’s called the ‘creeping sickness’ of Tamil Demands – but, don’t protest, it is not wise to do so in the name of National Unity ! Ssshh … go to sleep.
December 15th, 2010 at 11:33 am
Geethlal,
Racist Tamils want one thing, that is to make Sri Lanka thier homeland,not only for Sri Lanka Tamils but for the Tamils of the world. (not part of it but the whole SL) They have created new history for SL. Based on this history SL is the Tamil homeland, so they want it baCK. Any amount of things done to thier tunes WILL NOT CHANGE THIER PLANS. Sinhalese think of reconciliation, give them this and that and think to make them happy. But they WILL NOT BE HAPPY, no matter what you give into them. They want to make SL the TAMIL LAND. They will put good face and work for it in the back. The Tamils live in all parts of the world are all tuned for this. They are using all fraudulant means to get it. Their will be NO END TO TAMIL DEMANDS. Thier ultimate aim is EALAM meaning is whole SL not part of it.
December 15th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
Geethal,
I grew up in Singapore. never heard a Tamil of Chinese version of their NA. May be it was there but never ever heard singing in schools, functions or anywhere.
What I meant was one language is enough for NA. It is good thing to get rid of other language versions for simplicity. If we are English colony still, we will be singing in English. But Lee Kuan Yew was shrewd enough to keep it in Malay. In SriLanka we should make it either Sinhala, English or Tamil. Which one is the best ? English is out because we are not Fuji Indians. (If you do not know this racist Fuji born Indians really sucks up to Suddas). So, Tamil or Sinhala ? Let Mudali decide.
December 16th, 2010 at 12:18 am
there are a lot of good Tamil out there and I have no any debate or argument with them. However, we can’t reject reality that mean Tamil Tigers come from Tamil and there are very cunning; a quote from western spy agency “Tamil were cunning, and that’s why British hired them against Sinhalese”.
December 16th, 2010 at 7:17 am
Whilst it is good to think about Language & the National Anthem, there are even more important topics to focus on and discuss.
(1) For instance, Lankans should influence the GoSL on the Provincial Councils of the North legally taking over Land in the North of Lanka through the 13th Amendment.
(2) Another point that citizens should influence the GoSL on is how to deal with Illegal Migration into Lanka through various cunning means (visa on arrival rule to assist the tourist trade is one such mode), and Laws to govern Naturalisation. In the West, there are clear procedures to follow prior to Naturalisation, and they are not easy ! Lanka should do the same. Over the years, easy Naturalisation in Lanka has led Tamil Nadu Tamils coming in to Lanka by the thousands.