View source for Amar Sonar Bangla

{{short description|National anthem of Bangladesh}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox anthem
| title         = {{lang|bn|আমার সোনার বাংলা}}
| transcription = {{translit|bn|italic=no|Āmār Sōnār Bāṅlā}}
| english_title = My Golden Bengal
| image         = Amar_Sonar_Bangla_Music.svg
| caption       =
| prefix        = National
| country       = Bangladesh
| author        = [[Rabindranath Tagore]]
| lyrics_date   = 1905<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rabindranath Tagore - Songs - swadesh - amar sonar bangla |url=https://tagoreweb.in/Songs/swadesh-234/amar-sonar-bangla-5004 |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=tagoreweb.in}}</ref> ([[#History|disputed]])
| composer      = Rabindranath Tagore<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hasan |first=Rabiul |date=2020-09-06 |script-title=bn:আমার সোনার বাংলা, আমি তোমায় ভালোবাসি |url=https://bangla.thedailystar.net/node/171661 |access-date=2024-11-18 |work=The Daily Star |language=bn}}</ref> (adapted from a melody by [[Gagan Harkara]])<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rayhan |first=Abdullah |date=2024-10-12 |title=On the national anthem of Bangladesh: An apologetic discourse |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/star-literature/news/the-national-anthem-bangladesh-apologetic-discourse-3726056 |access-date=2024-11-18 |work=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-06-10 |script-title=bn:আমার সোনার বাংলা |url=https://banglanews24.com/public/kids/news/bd/44062.details |access-date=2024-11-18 |work=banglanews24.com |language=bn}}</ref>
| music_date    = unknown
| adopted       = 10 April 1971 {{small|([[Provisional Government of Bangladesh|provisional]])}}<br />16 December 1972 {{small|([[Constitution of Bangladesh|official]])}}
| until         =
| predecessor   = {{ubl|[[Qaumi Taranah]]<br />{{small|(as the anthem of [[Pakistan]])}}|[[Pakistan Zindabad (anthem)|Torana-i-Pakistan]]<br />{{small|(as the anthem of [[East Pakistan]])}}}}
| successor     =
| sound         = Amar Shonar Bangla instrumental.ogg
| sound_title   = [[U.S. Navy Band]] instrumental version
}}
{{Contains special characters|Bengali}}
"'''{{translit|bn|italic=no|Amar Sonar Bangla}}'''" ({{langx|bn|আমার সোনার বাংলা|lit=My Golden Bengal}}, {{IPA|bn|ˈamaɾ ˈʃonaɾ ˈbaŋla|pron}}) is the [[national anthem]] of the [[People's Republic of Bangladesh]].<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=The Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh - 4. National anthem, flag and emblem |url=http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/sections_detail.php?id=367&sections_id=24551 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006074103/http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/sections_detail.php?id=367&sections_id=24551 |archive-date=2014-10-06 |publisher=Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bangladesh: Amar Shonar Bangla |url=http://nationalanthems.me/bangladesh-amar-shonar-bangla |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526050005/http://nationalanthems.me/bangladesh-amar-shonar-bangla |archive-date=2018-05-26 |access-date=9 August 2011 |publisher=NationalAnthems.me}}</ref> An [[ode]] to [[Bangamata|Mother Bengal]], the lyrics were written by Bengali polymath [[Rabindranath Tagore]] in the context of the [[Partition of Bengal (1905)|First Partition of Bengal]]. It was adopted as the national anthem by the [[Provisional Government of Bangladesh]] in 1971.

==Etymology==
The word {{translit|bn|amar}} refers to the [[possessive]] first-person singular {{gloss|my}} or {{gloss|(of) mine}}; the word {{translit|bn|sonar}} is the [[Adjective|adjectival]] form of the root word {{translit|bn|sona}}, meaning {{gloss|gold}}; and the word {{translit|bn|sonar}}, which literally translates as {{gloss|golden}} or {{gloss|made of gold}}, is used as a term of endearment meaning {{gloss|beloved}}, but in the song, the words {{transliteration|bn|Sonar Bangla}} may be interpreted to express the preciousness of [[Bengal]].{{fact|date=July 2025}}

== History ==
{{Main|Partition of Bengal (1905)}}
[[File:Rabindranath Tagore in 1909.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Rabindranath Tagore]], writer of the song in 1905]]

The song was written by Rabindranath Tagore in the context of the [[Partition of Bengal (1905)|First Partition of Bengal]], while the melody is derived from [[Baul]] singer [[Gagan Harkara]]'s "[[Ami Kothay Pabo Tare]]", set to [[Dadra]] [[Tala (music)|tala]].<ref>Folk singer, [http://www.swapanbasu.com/ Swapan Basu], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnZvc73nQCk demonstrates] the similarity in a live recitation (0:43/8:46 to 1:21/8:46)</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Chakrabarti |first=Santosh |title=Studies in Tagore: Critical Essays |year=2004 |publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Dist |isbn=9788126903405 |pages=108 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MNWktZZciy8C&q=Gagan+Harkara&pg=PA111}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rabindranath Tagore - Essays - Creative Unity - An Indian Folk Religion () |url=http://tagoreweb.in/Render/ShowContent.aspx?ct=Essays&bi=72EE92F5-BE50-40D7-AE6E-0F7410664DA3&ti=72EE92F5-BE50-4A47-7E6E-0F7410664DA3 |website=tagoreweb.in |access-date=22 September 2021}}</ref> The partition occurred in 1905 when the ruling [[British Empire]] had an undivided province of [[Bengal Presidency]] split into two parts; the decision was announced on 20 July by the then-Viceroy of India, [[Lord Curzon]], taking effect on 16 October. This divide of Bengal, being along communal lines–[[East Bengal and Assam]] having a majority of Muslims and [[West Bengal]] having a majority of Hindus–is claimed to have been politically motivated. Along with a host of others, songs such as this were meant to rekindle the unified spirit of Bengal and to raise public consciousness against the communal political divide.

The actual date of the song's composition is disputed, because the original manuscript of the song was never found. Prashanta Kumar Paul, in his biography on Rabindranath Tagore ''Rabi Jibani'', claimed that the song was first sung on 25 August 1905 in an essay conference at [[Kolkata]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Rabi Jibani|last=Paul|first=Prashanta Kumar|year=1990|publisher=Ananda Publishers|location=Kolkata|pages=২৫8–59|volume=V}}</ref><ref name="bbc">{{cite web|date=15 May 2025|language=bn|script-title=bn:জাতীয় সংগীত নিয়ে বিতর্ক: 'আমার সোনার বাংলা' কীভাবে ও কেন বাংলাদেশের জাতীয় সংগীত হলো?|url=https://www.bbc.com/bengali/articles/c4grpv04p90o|website=[[BBC Bangla]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=4 September 2024|language=bn|script-title=bn:বঙ্গভঙ্গের গান 'আমার সোনার বাংলা' যেভাবে জাতীয় সংগীত করা হয়|url=https://www.jugantor.com/national/846997|website=[[Daily Jugantor]]}}</ref> The lyrics first appeared in public in the September issues of ''[[Bongodorshon]]'' and ''Baul'' simultaneously in 1905. The song, along with the musical notation (referred to as {{transliteration|bn|swaralipi}} in Bengali), first appeared in the periodical musical journal ''Shongeet Biggnan Probeshika'' in the same month and year. [[Indira Devi Chaudhurani|Indira Devi]], Tagore's niece, [[Satyendranath Tagore]]'s daughter, jotted down the musical notation, hearing it from Tagore himself (this was the common norm, Tagore singing the song, and someone formally jotting down the musical notations).{{fact|date=July 2025}}

=== Official adaption ===
The first ten lines of the original poem constitute the most commonly sung version of Bangladesh's national anthem, adopted in 1971 during the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]]. The instrumental orchestra rendition was composed by [[Samar Das]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Komol |first=Khalid Hasan |year=2012 |chapter=Das, Samar |chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Das,_Samar |editor1-last=Islam |editor1-first=Sirajul |editor1-link=Sirajul Islam |editor2-last=Jamal |editor2-first=Ahmed A. |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |edition=Second |publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]]}}</ref><ref name="bbc" /> During the drafting of the [[Constitution of Bangladesh]] in 1972, two songs were proposed for the national anthem of the country, the "Amar Sonar Bangla" and "[[Dhana Dhanya Pushpa Bhara]]" by [[Dwijendra Lal Roy]]. At the end, Amar Sonar Bangla was selected.<ref name="jugantor0">{{cite web|last=Ullah|first=Mahbub|date=12 September 2024|lang=bn|title=শতফুল ফুটতে দাও: বিতর্কের উত্তেজনায় যাতে গণতন্ত্র হারিয়ে না যায়|url=https://www.jugantor.com/tp-ub-editorial/851278|access-date=31 October 2025|website=[[Daily Jugantor]]}}</ref>

== Lyrics ==
[[File:Amar Sonar Bangla - from Millions singing national anthem.oga|thumb|229x229px|"Amar Shonar Bangla" sung version]]

The following provides the lyrics of {{Transliteration|bn|italic=no|Amar Sonar Bangla}} as written by Rabindranath Tagore. Only the first ten bolded lines of the original lyrics are sung as Bangladesh's national anthem.

<!--Please do not change the vowels in this passage. If they show up in the wrong place on your computer, it's a problem with your browser, not with the article.-->{| class="wikitable"
!Bengali original<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date= |title=Rabindranath Tagore - Songs - স্বদেশ - আমার সোনার বাংলা |url=https://tagoreweb.in/Render/ShowContent.aspx?ct=Songs&bi=5C978DD6-A4A0-40E5-A51D-F8AE92&ti=5C978DD6-A4A1-4385-C51D-F8AE927B9869&ch=c |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709233539/https://tagoreweb.in/Render/ShowContent.aspx?ct=Songs&bi=5C978DD6-A4A0-40E5-A51D-F8AE92&ti=5C978DD6-A4A1-4385-C51D-F8AE927B9869&ch=c |archive-date=2012-07-09 |access-date=2021-12-26 |website=tagoreweb.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date= |script-title=bn:জাতীয় সংগীত (পাঠ) - নেত্রকোণা জেলা |url=http://www.netrokona.gov.bd/site/page/ab72d475-bbaf-4fa0-8e26-5a9fa688d662/%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC%20%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%A4%20(%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A0) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730135450/http://www.netrokona.gov.bd/site/page/ab72d475-bbaf-4fa0-8e26-5a9fa688d662/%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC%20%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%A4%20(%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A0) |archive-date=2020-07-30 |access-date=2021-12-26 |website=www.netrokona.gov.bd |language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=About Bangladesh-2 |url=http://www.parjatanbd.com/details.php?id=17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811002942/http://www.parjatanbd.com/details.php?id=17 |archive-date=2011-08-11 |access-date=2021-12-26 |website=www.parjatanbd.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-25 |script-title=bn:আমার সোনার বাংলা {{!}} দেশ বরেণ্য ৫০ জন শিল্পীর কন্ঠে জাতীয় সংগীত {{!}} National Anthem of Bangladesh |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r58G5iM_NU |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415013044/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r58G5iM_NU |archive-date=2022-04-15 |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=YouTube}}</ref>
![[Romanisation of Bengali|Romanisation]] ([[ISO 15919]])
!IPA transcription{{efn|name=IPA|See [[Help:IPA/Bengali]] and [[Bengali phonology]].}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; white-space:nowrap;"
|<poem>{{lang|bn|'''আমার সোনার বাংলা, আমি তোমায় ভালোবাসি।'''
'''চিরদিন তোমার আকাশ, তোমার বাতাস, আমার প্রাণে বাজায় বাঁশি॥'''
'''ও মা, ফাগুনে তোর আমের বনে ঘ্রাণে পাগল করে,'''
'''মরি হায়, হায় রে—'''
'''ও মা, অঘ্রাণে তোর ভরা ক্ষেতে আমি কী দেখেছি মধুর হাসি॥'''

'''কী শোভা, কী ছায়া গো, কী স্নেহ, কী মায়া গো—'''
'''কী আঁচল বিছায়েছ বটের মূলে, নদীর কূলে কূলে।'''
'''মা, তোর মুখের বাণী আমার কানে লাগে সুধার মতো,'''
'''মরি হায়, হায় রে—'''
'''মা, তোর বদনখানি মলিন হলে, ও মা, আমি নয়নজলে ভাসি॥'''

তোমার এই খেলাঘরে শিশুকাল কাটিলে রে,
তোমারি ধুলামাটি অঙ্গে মাখি ধন্য জীবন মানি।
তুই দিন ফুরালে সন্ধ্যাকালে কী দীপ জ্বালিস ঘরে,
মরি হায়, হায় রে—
তখন খেলাধুলা সকল ফেলে, ও মা, তোমার কোলে ছুটে আসি॥

ধেনু-চরা তোমার মাঠে, পারে যাবার খেয়াঘাটে,
সারা দিন পাখি-ডাকা ছায়ায়-ঢাকা তোমার পল্লীবাটে,
তোমার ধানে-ভরা আঙিনাতে জীবনের দিন কাটে,
মরি হায়, হায় রে—
ও মা, আমার যে ভাই তারা সবাই, ও মা, তোমার রাখাল তোমার চাষি॥

ও মা, তোর চরণেতে দিলেম এই মাথা পেতে—
দে গো তোর পায়ের ধুলা, সে যে আমার মাথার মানিক হবে।
ও মা, গরিবের ধন যা আছে তাই দিব চরণতলে,
মরি হায়, হায় রে—
আমি পরের ঘরে কিনব না আর, মা, তোর ভূষণ ব'লে গলার ফাঁসি}}</poem>
|<poem>{{Transliteration|bn|italic=no|'''Āmār sōnār Bāṅlā, āmi tōmāẏ bhālōbāsi.'''
'''Cirôdin tōmār ākāś, tōmār bātās, āmār prāṇē bājāẏ bā̃śi.'''
'''Ō mā, phāgunē tōr āmēr bônē ghrāṇē pāgôl kôrē,'''
'''Môri hāẏ, hāẏ rē–'''
'''Ō mā, Ôghrāṇē tōr bhôrā kṣētē āmi kī dēkhēchi môdhur hāsi.'''

'''Kī śōbhā, kī chāẏā gō, kī snēhô, kī māẏā gō,'''
'''Kī ā̃côl bichāẏēchô bôṭēr mūlē, nôdīr kūlē kūlē.'''
'''Mā, tōr mukhēr bāṇī āmār kānē lāgē sudhār môtō,'''
'''Môri hāẏ, hāẏ rē–'''
'''Mā, tōr bôdônkhāni môlin hôlē, ō mā, āmi nôẏônjôlē bhāsi.'''

Tōmār ēi khēlāghôrē śiśukāl kāṭilē rē,
Tōmāri dhulāmāṭi ôṅgē mākhi dhônyô jībôn māni.
Tui din phurālē sôndhyākālē kī dīp jbālis ghôrē,
Môri hāẏ, hāẏ rē–
Tôkhôn khēlādhulā sôkôl phēlē, ō mā, tōmār kōlē chuṭē āsi.

Dhēnu-côrā tōmār māṭhē, pārē jābār khēẏāghāṭē,
Sārā din pākhi-ḍākā chāẏāẏ-ḍhākā tōmār pôllībāṭē,
Tōmār dhānē-bhôrā āṅinātē jībônēr din kāṭē
Môri hāẏ, hāẏ rē–
Ō mā, āmār jē bhāi tārā sôbāi, ō mā, tōmār rākhāl tōmār cāṣi.

Ō mā, tōr côrôṇētē dilēm ēi māthā pētē–
Dē gō tōr pāẏēr dhulā, sē jē āmār māthār mānik hôbē.
Ō mā, gôribēr dhôn ja āchē tāi dibô côrôṇtôlē,
Môri hāẏ, hāẏ rē–
Āmi pôrēr ghôrē kinbô nā ār, mā, tōr bhūṣôṇ bô'lē gôlār phā̃si.}}</poem>
|<poem>{{IPA|wrap=none|[a.mar ʃo.nar baŋ.la ǀ a.mi to.maj bʱa.lo.ba.ʃi]
[t͡ʃi.ro.din to.mar a.kaʃ ǀ to.mar ba.taʃ ǀ a.mar pra.ne ba.d͡ʒaj bã.ʃi ‖]
[o ma ǀ pʰa.gu.ne tor a.mer bo.ne gʱra.ne pa.gol kɔ.re ǀ]
[mo.ri haj ǀ haj re ǀ]
[o ma ǀ ɔ.gʱra.ne tor bʱɔ.ra kʰe.te a.mi ki de.kʰe.t͡ʃʰi mo.dʱur ha.ʃi ‖]

[ki ʃo.bʱa ǀ ki t͡ʃʰa.ja go ǀ ki sne.ho ǀ ki ma.ja go ǀ]
[ki ã.t͡ʃol bi.t͡ʃʰa.je.t͡ʃʰo bɔ.ʈer mu.le ǀ no.dir ku.le ku.le]
[ma ǀ tor mu.kʰer ba.ni a.mar ka.ne la.ge ʃu.dʱar mɔ.to ǀ]
[mo.ri haj ǀ haj re ǀ]
[ma ǀ tor bɔ.don.kʰa.ni mo.lin ho.le ǀ o ma ǀ a.mi nɔ.jon.d͡ʒɔ.le bʱa.ʃi ‖]

[to.mar ei kʰɛ.la.gʱɔ.re ʃi.ʃu.kal ka.ʈi.le re ǀ]
[to.ma.ri dʱu.la.ma.ʈi ɔŋ.ge ma.kʰi dʱon.no d͡ʒi.bɔn ma.ni]
[tu.i din pʰu.ra.le ʃon.dʱa.ka.le ki dip d͡ʒa.liʃ gʱɔ.re ǀ]
[mo.ri haj ǀ haj re ǀ]
[tɔ.kʰon kʰɛ.la.dʱu.la ʃɔ.kol pʰe.le ǀ o ma ǀ to.mar ko.le t͡ʃʰu.ʈe a.ʃi ‖]

[dʱe.nu.t͡ʃɔ.ra to.mar ma.ʈʰe ǀ pa.re d͡ʒa.bar kʰe.ja.gʱa.ʈe ǀ]
[ʃa.ra din pa.kʰi.ɖa.ka t͡ʃʰa.jaj.ɖʱa.ka to.mar pol.li.bʱa.ʈe ǀ]
[to.mar dʱa.ne.bʱɔ.ra aŋ.i.na.te d͡ʒi.bɔ.ner din ka.ʈe]
[mo.ri haj ǀ haj re ǀ]
[o ma ǀ a.mar d͡ʒe bʱa.i ta.ra ʃɔ.bai̯ ǀ o ma ǀ to.mar ra.kʰal to.mar t͡ʃa.ʃi ‖]

[o ma ǀ tor t͡ʃɔ.ro.ne.te di.lem ei̯ ma.tʰa pe.te ǀ]
[de go tor pa.jer dʱu.la ǀ ʃe d͡ʒe a.mar ma.tʰar ma.nik hɔ.be]
[o ma ǀ go.ri.ber dʱɔn d͡ʒa a.t͡ʃʰe tai̯ di.bo t͡ʃɔ.ron.tɔ.le ǀ]
[mo.ri haj ǀ haj re ǀ]
[a.mi pɔ.rer gʱɔ.re kin.bo na ar ǀ ma ǀ tor bʱu.ʃon bo.le gɔ.lar pʰã.ʃi ‖]}}</poem>
|}

===English translation===
The anthem was translated into English by [[Syed Ali Ahsan]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bangla2000.com/bangladesh/national_anthem.shtm |title=National Anthem of Bangladesh |publisher=bangla2000.com |access-date=29 July 2024}}</ref>
{{center|{{poemquote|
'''My golden Bengal, thee I love.'''
'''Forever thy skies be, thine air like a flute set my heart in tune;'''
'''O [[Bangamata|Mother]], aroma of mango orchard in [[Falgun]] driveth me crazy,'''
'''Ah, such miraculousness!'''
'''O Mother, time seeth in [[Ogrohayon]] smiles sweet all through fields of paddy.'''

'''What beauty, what shades, what affection, what tenderness;'''
'''What a quilt thou hast spread at tip of banyans 'long ev'ry bank,'''
'''O Mother, words from thy lips like nectar to my ears.'''
'''Ah, such miraculousness!'''
'''If sadness, o mother, cast a gloom on thy face, my eyes filled with tears.'''

Spending my childhood in thy playhouse
Thy soil o'er my body smeared, I consider myself privileged.
Wonderful lamp at dusk thou lightest,
Ah, such miraculousness!
At once I quit playing and sprint back to thy lap, o mother.

In cattle grazing field, on pier for crossing stream,
Shaded village walkways, serene with calling birds
Open porch with heaped ripe paddy, my life goeth on.
Ah, such miraculousness!
All thy shepherds and farmers are my brothers.

This time I offer my head beneath thy feet,
Bless me with thy dust, obliged shall I be to flaunt overhead.
To thee I shall offer meagrely whatever I have at home,
Ah, such miraculousness!
Ne'er bothered to buy thee from others a hanging rope coronal guise.
}}}}

==Criticism==
According to Ziauddin Ahmed, the song as the national anthem is facing criticism at least since 1975.<ref name="sangbad">{{cite web|first=Ziauddin|last=Ahmed|date=22 September 2024|language=bn|title=জাতীয় সংগীত নিয়ে বিতর্ক : জিয়াউদ্দীন আহমেদ|url=https://sangbad.net.bd/opinion/post-editorial/2024/126091/|website=sangbad.net.bd}}</ref> Among the earliest open opponents to the song include [[Islamic Democratic League]] [[Member of Parliament (Bangladesh)|MP]] [[Abdur Rahim (scholar)|Abdur Rahim]] and Vice-chancellor of the [[University of Dhaka]] Prof. [[Aftab Ahmed (academic)|Aftab Ahmed]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Khan|first=Maruf Kamal|date=6 September 2025|language=bn|title=জাতীয় সংগীত, জিয়া ও নতুন প্রজন্ম|url=https://dhakamail.com/opinion/184638|website=[[Dhaka Mail]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=4 September 2024|lang=bn|title=প্রথম যি‌নি জাতীয় সংগীত পরিবর্ত‌নের কথা বলে‌ছি‌লেন, তা‌কে খুন করা হ‌য়ে‌ছি‌লেন!|url=https://www.ekhonisomoy.com/%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A5%E0%A6%AE-%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%A4/1062/|website=Ekhoni Somoy}}</ref>

=== Historical context ===
The song was composed during [[Partition of Bengal (1905)|First Partition of Bengal]], which many [[Bengali Muslims]] of [[East Bengal and Assam|Eastern Bengal]] (the territory of which mostly form the modern-day Bangladesh) had welcomed and endorsed. Supporters of the Partition oppose the song as the national anthem of Bangladesh, as the song itself was composed in a context of opposition to a separate [[East Bengal]] that would eventually become Bangladesh in future.

=== Islamist and anti-Hindutva opposition ===
The song often face [[Islamist]] opposition in the country. They claim that the word "mother" used in the song refers to [[Hindu goddess]], and Rabindranath Tagore addressed the country a "motherly goddess".<ref>{{cite web|date=3 April 2018|lang=bn|title=মাদ্রাসায় জাতীয় সংগীত গাওয়া সুস্পষ্ট শিরক আইনি বাধ্যতাও নেই -ইসলাম ও দেশরক্ষা কমিটি|url=https://m.dailyinqilab.com/article/124575/|website=[[Daily Inqilab]]}}</ref> Many [[Qawmi Madrasah|Qawmi Madrassa]] teachers consider singing the song as ''[[shirq]]'' and remain silent during anthem presentation.<ref>{{cite web|lang=bn|title=প্রশ্ন (১৬/৪১৬) : শিক্ষাপ্রতিষ্ঠানে বাধ্যগতভাবে পিটি করতে হয়। যেখানে ইসলাম বিরোধী বাক্যসম্বলিত জাতীয় সঙ্গীত গাইতে হয়। এক্ষণে আমাদের করণীয় কি?|url=https://at-tahreek.com/article_details/5481|access-date=31 October 2025|website=Monthly At-Tahreeq|quote=বাংলাদেশের জাতীয় সংগীত শিরক মিশ্রিত গান, যা মুখে বলা ও হৃদয়ে বিশ্বাস করা অমার্জনীয় গোনাহের কাজ। সম্মিলিতভাবে তা পাঠ করানো হলে সেক্ষেত্রে চুপ থাকতে হবে।| trans-quote=The national anthem of Bangladesh is song mixed with ''shirq'', saying which by mouth or believing in heart is an unapologetic ''[[Sin in Islam|gonah]]''. If recited in chorus, then one should be remained silent.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=29 July 2015|lang=bn|title=জাতীয় পতাকায় ‘আপত্তি’ কওমীর|url=https://bangla.bdnews24.com/bangladesh/article1003980.bdnews|website=[[bdnews24.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=3 March 2023|lang=bn|title=জাতীয় সংগীত উপেক্ষিত সব কওমি মাদ্রাসায়|url=https://www.ajkerpatrika.com/epaper/ajpqlue6jeism|website=[[Ajker Patrika]]}}</ref>

[[British Bangladeshi]] anti-[[Religious extremism|extremism]] advocate [[Mufassil Islam]] criticized the song as the national anthem from an anti-[[Hindutva]] perspective, calling Rabindranath Tagore a "Hindutwa fanatic".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Basu |first=Subho |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2_quEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22mufassil+islam%22&pg=PA62 |title=Intimation of Revolution: Global Sixties and the Making of Bangladesh |date=2023-05-31 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-009-32987-3 |page=62 |language=en |quote=More seriously, Mufassil Islam, a [[Dublin]]-based academic accused Tagore of being 'Hindutwa fanatic' and thus argued that Tagore's song should not be the national anthem of Bangladesh}}</ref>

===Others===
In her book ''Bengal Divided'' (1995), Indian author Jaya Chatterjee claimed that the song Amar Sonar Bangla doesn't have the enough breath that is needed to develop national consciousness being a national anthem.<ref name="jugantor0" />

===Major controversies===
In 2018, the government made compulsory for all madrassas to sing national anthem. Three years later, the government instructed the vocational and the madrassa division to strictly implement the rule.<ref>{{cite web|date=3 January 2022|language=bn|title=মাদ্রাসার শিক্ষার্থীদের জাতীয় সংগীত ও শপথ পাঠের নির্দেশ|url=https://www.bd-journal.com/education/187162/|website=bd-journal.com}}</ref> These moves faced heavy criticism and protests from the madrassa teachers and students.<ref>{{cite web|last=Swapan|first=Harun Ur Rashid|date=28 March 2018|language=bn|title=মাদ্রাসায় জাতীয় সংগীত প্রতিযোগিতা|url=https://www.dw.com/bn/%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%9F-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%80%E0%A7%9F-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AF%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%93-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9F/a-43172732|website=[[Deutsche Welle Bangla]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=11 December 2020|language=bn|title='মাদ্রাসায় জাতীয় সংগীত গাওয়া সম্পূর্ণ শিরক'|url=https://m.dailyinqilab.com/article/342266/|website=[[Daily Inqilab]]}}</ref>

In 2018, Bangladeshi singer Mainul Ahsan Nobel, who was a runner-up in the Indian-Bengali musical show ''[[Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Bangla]]'', said that [[Prince Mahmud]]'s song "Bangladesh" depicted the beauty of Bangladesh far better than Amar Sonar Bangla.<ref>{{cite news |title='Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' second runner up Nobel makes controversial comments on Bangladesh's national anthem 'Amar Sonar Bangla' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/bengali/sa-re-ga-ma-pa-second-runner-up-nobel-makes-controversial-comments-on-bangladeshs-national-anthem-amar-sonar-bangla/articleshow/70509915.cms |work=The Times of India |date=3 August 2019 |access-date=30 July 2024}}</ref><ref name="jugantor2"/> This remark sparked controversy among Bangladeshis. Later, he apologized for his remark.<ref name="jugantor2">{{cite news |script-title=bn:'জাতীয় সংগীত' নিয়ে মন্তব্য করে নতুন বিতর্কে নোবেল |url=https://www.jugantor.com/entertainment/205785/%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%80%E0%A7%9F-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2 |work=Jugantor |date=1 August 2019 |language=bn |access-date=30 July 2024}}</ref>

In October 2020, a scholar from a local madrasa in [[Kushtia District|Kushtia]] sang an [[Islamic music|Islamic song]] in the melody of Amar Sonar Bangla, which faced criticism.<ref>{{cite web|date=17 October 2020|title=কুমিল্লার এক মাদ্রাসায় নিজস্ব 'জাতীয়' সংগীত!|url=https://www.banglatribune.com/others/648031/|website=[[Bangla Tribune]]}}</ref>

In September 2024, [[Abdullahil Amaan Azmi]], retired [[brigadier general]] of the [[Bangladesh Army]] and son of [[Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami]] Ameer [[Ghulam Azam]], who held a press conference after his release from the [[Aynaghar]], called for a replacement of Amar Sonar Bangla, claiming that the [[Government of India|Indian government]] had forced the Provisional Government of Bangladesh to adopt the song. He also argued that Amar Sonar Bangla contradicted with the characteristics of Bangladesh, as the song was composed in the context of the partition of Bengal to unite the two Bengals.<ref>{{cite news |date=3 September 2024 |script-title=bn:নতুন করে সংবিধান ও জাতীয় সংগীত রচনার দাবি আয়নাঘরফেরত আযমীর |url=https://www.kalerkantho.com/online/national/2024/09/03/1421631 |access-date=5 September 2024 |work=Kaler Kantho |language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |work=bdnews24.com |language=bn |script-title=bn:জাতীয় সংগীত ও সংবিধান পরিবর্তন চান আমান আযমী |url=https://bangla.bdnews24.com/politics/4eddb5847810 |access-date=5 September 2024}}</ref> This remark sparked controversy on historical context and the significance of the anthem across the country.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.jugantor.com/national/846530/%E0%A7%A9-%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%96%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87-%E0%A7%A9%E0%A7%A6-%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%96-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%98%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B7%E0%A6%A3%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%96-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A1%E0%A6%BF%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%80 |script-title=bn:৩ লাখকে ৩০ লাখ বলে ঘোষণা করেছিলেন শেখ মুজিব: ব্রিগেডিয়ার আযমী |date=3 September 2024 |access-date=5 September 2024 |work=Jugantor |language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/opinions/columns/ravi-shankar/2024/Sep/14/bangladeshs-war-on-bengali-identity-picks-up-pace |title=Bangladesh's war on Bengali identity picks up pace |work=New Indian Express}}</ref> [[Liberal Democratic Party (Bangladesh)|Liberal Democratic Party]] leader Col. (retd.) [[Oli Ahmed]] endorsed Azmi's remarks, citing three reasons–the song isn't about Bangladesh, the song wasn't written by a Bangladeshi citizen, and melody of the song was copied.<ref>{{cite web|date=11 September 2024|language=bn|title=জাতীয় সঙ্গীত নিয়ে বিতর্ক, নানা মত|url=https://www.amadershomoy.com/national/article/122150/|website=[[Amader Shomoy]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=11 September 2024|language=bn|title=জাতীয় সংগীত পরিবর্তনের পক্ষে অলি আহমদ|url=https://dainikazadi.net/%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0/|website=[[Dainik Azadi]]}}</ref>

In October 2025, the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) [[Assam]] unit criticized the [[Indian National Congress]] politician Bidhu Bhushan Das for singing Amar Sonar Bangla in a political conference in [[Karimganj District|Karimganj]], India. Although Das himself claimed that he had only sung the song as a [[Rabindra Sangeet]], the BJP slammed him for carrying a "vote-bank-agenda" by promoting "Greater Bangladesh".<ref>{{cite web |title=BJP vs Congress after Bangladesh anthem at Assam event sparks row {{!}} Who said what |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bjp-vs-congress-after-bangladesh-anthem-at-assam-event-sparks-row-who-said-what-101761785819083.html |website=[[Hindustan Times]] |access-date=1 November 2025 |language=en-In |date=30 October 2025}}</ref> Even the [[Chief Minister of Assam]] [[Himanta Biswa Sarma]] ordered action against Das.<ref>{{cite web |title=Congress member hums Tagore’s 'Amar Sonar Bangla' in meeting, Assam CM orders action |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/congress-member-hums-tagores-amar-sonar-bangla-in-meeting-assam-cm-orders-action-10334809/ |website=[[The Indian Express]] |access-date=1 November 2025 |language=en-In |date=30 October 2025}}</ref> This resulted in protest in Bangladesh against [[anti-Bengali sentiment]] in India.<ref>https://www.somoynews.tv/news/2025-11-04/7J6wuGU6</ref>

===Alternative proposals===
====Dhana Dhanya Pushpa Bhara====
[[Dwijendra Lal Roy]]'s patriotic song "[[Dhana Dhanya Pushpa Bhara]]", which was also composed during First Partition of Bengal, was one of the two proposals for national anthem following the [[Independence of Bangladesh]], but eventually dropped in favour of Amar Sonar Bangla.<ref name="jugantor0" />

====Notuner Gaan====
[[Kazi Nazrul Islam]]'s song "[[Notuner Gaan]]" is the [[Marching song|national march]] of Bangladesh. In 1975, after the [[15 August 1975 Bangladesh coup d'état|15 August coup]], then [[President of Bangladesh|President]] [[Khondaker Mostaq Ahmed]] set up a committee for the replacement of the anthem. The song was one of two songs that were recommended by the committee.<ref name="jugantor1">{{cite news |url=https://www.jugantor.com/national/207858/%E0%A6%AF%E0%A7%87-%E0%A7%A9-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%80%E0%A7%9F-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%89%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%97-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2 |script-title=bn:যে ৩ সময়ে 'জাতীয় সংগীত' পরিবর্তনের উদ্যোগ নেয়া হয়েছিল |language=bn |date=7 August 2019 |access-date=29 July 2024 |work=[[Jugantor]] |archive-date=18 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118113926/https://www.jugantor.com/national/207858/%E0%A6%AF%E0%A7%87-%E0%A7%A9-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%80%E0%A7%9F-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%89%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%97-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2 |url-status=live}}</ref> However, the process was halted after his removal.

====Panjeri====
[[Farrukh Ahmed]]'s "Panjeri" was the other song that was proposed for the national anthem under Mostaq Ahmed.<ref name="jugantor1" />

====Prothom Bangladesh====
In 1979, in a letter sent to the [[Cabinet Division]], then Prime Minister [[Shah Azizur Rahman]] argued that Amar Sonar Bangla was "contradictory to the national identity and the [[culture of Bangladesh]]is" as it was written by a person who had a non-Bangladeshi background, and proposed [[Shahnaz Rahmatullah]]'s patriotic song "[[Prothom Bangladesh]]" for the national anthem.<ref name="jugantor1"/> During the [[presidency of Ziaur Rahman]], the song was played after Amar Sonar Bangla on the [[Bangladesh Television|national television]] and the government programmes.<ref name="jugantor1"/> However, the initiative stopped after the [[Assassination of Ziaur Rahman|death of Rahman]] in 1981. Today, Prothom Bangladesh is the party anthem of the [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party]] (BNP).<ref>{{cite web |title=Slogan |url=https://www.bnpbd.org/http://www.bnpbd.org/slogan |website=Bangladesh Nationalist Party}}</ref>

====Lyrical amendment====
In 2002, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and government minister [[Motiur Rahman Nizami]] proposed an amendment to the lyrics of Amar Sonar Bangla, citing Islamic values and spirit. However, the Cabinet Division did not accept the proposal.<ref name="jugantor1"/>

== Notable performances and covers ==
[[File:Amar Sonar Bangla.webm|thumb|A former world record of more than a hundred thousand people performing Bangladesh's national anthem.]]
The Ministry of Cultural Affairs planned to stage an event on Bangladesh's 44th [[Independence Day (Bangladesh)|independence day]] in a bid to have the world record for the most people singing a national anthem simultaneously. Consequently, on 2 March, the ministry launched a program titled ''Lakho Konthe Sonar Bangla'' ({{lit|Amar Sonar Bangla in [[lakh]] voices}}) whose main objective was to hold an event with the cooperation of the [[Bangladesh Armed Forces]] where approximately 300,000 people would sing the national anthem.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theindependentbd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=206715:logo-of-lakho-konthe-sonar-bangla-unveiled&catid=182:city-life&Itemid=220 |title=Logo of 'Lakho Konthe Sonar Bangla' unveiled |agency=The Independent |access-date=3 June 2014}}</ref> Several popular Bangladeshi musicians and cultural groups later joined the program.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2014-03-23&nid=87534 |title=Bangladesh prepares for another record |agency=New Age |access-date=3 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606224938/http://www.newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2014-03-23&nid=87534 |archive-date=6 June 2014}}</ref>

The record was broken at 11:20 on 26 March 2014 by 254,537 participants at Dhaka's National Parade Ground. The event was attended by the [[Prime Minister of Bangladesh]], [[Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad]], and all the members of the cabinet.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2014-03-26&nid=87943 |title=Bangladesh sets world record singing nat'l anthem |agency=New Age |access-date=3 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607002115/http://newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2014-03-26&nid=87943 |archive-date=7 June 2014}}</ref> After receiving the required evidence, the [[Guinness Book of World Records]] approved the record on 9 April 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2014/apr/09/guinness-accepts-bangladesh-national-anthem-record |title=Guinness accepts national anthem record |agency=Dhaka Tribune |access-date=3 June 2014}}</ref> The record was broken by India on 21 January 2017.<ref>{{cite web |title=Most people singing a national/regional anthem simultaneously |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-people-singing-a-nationalregional-anthem-simultaneously/ |website=Guinness World Records |access-date=22 September 2021}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Bangladesh}}
* [[Music of Bangladesh]]
* [[Music of Bengal]]
* "[[Jana Gana Mana]]", national anthem of India, also written by Rabindranath Tagore
* "[[Banglar Mati Banglar Jol]]", the state anthem of the Indian state of [[West Bengal]], also written by Rabindranath Tagore
* "[[Sri Lanka Matha]]", national anthem of Sri Lanka, claimed to have been written by Rabindranath Tagore
* "[[Torana-i-Pakistan]]", anthem of [[East Pakistan]], written by [[Golam Mostofa (poet)|Golam Mostofa]]
* [[Bengali nationalism]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Wikisource-inline|My Golden Bengal}}
{{Bangladesh topics}}
{{Symbols of Bangladesh}}
{{Rabindranath Tagore}}
{{National Anthems of Asia}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Bangladeshi songs]]
[[Category:Songs written by Rabindranath Tagore]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi anthems]]
[[Category:Songs in Bengali]]
[[Category:Poems in Bengali]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi patriotic songs]]
[[Category:Compositions in A-flat major]]
[[Category:Poems by Rabindranath Tagore]]
[[Category:Rabindra Sangeet]]
[[Category:Bengali nationalism]]