Jahan Bagcha Teesta Rangeet

Jahan Bagcha Teesta Rangeet (Where Teesta and Rangeet Flow) is a song that serves as the de facto state song for Sikkim, India.

Jahan Bagcha Teesta Rangeet
English: Where Teesta and Rangeet Flow

de facto State song of Sikkim
LyricsSanu Lama, 1970
MusicDushyant Lama, 1970

History

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The Kingdom of Sikkim became a British protectorate in 1860 and following Indian independence in 1947, became a protectorate of India in 1950. During this period, Sikkim was an absolute monarchy ruled by a monarch known as the Chogyal. The national anthem of the Kingdom of Sikkim was Denjong Silé Yang Chagpa Chilo (Why is Sikkim Blooming So Fresh and Beautiful?), in the Sikkimese language.[1][2]

The Nepali language song Jahan Bagcha Teesta Rangeet was released 4 April 1970 to mark the birthday of the then Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal. The song became very popular and was sometimes erroneously cited as the Sikkimese national anthem.[2] Following a referendum in 1975, Sikkim became a state of India and the monarchy was abolished. The song was initially prohibited by the Indian authorities as it contained a reference to the Sikkemese monarchy. It was later reinstated with slightly altered lyrics which replaced the words "Raja Rani" ("king and queen") with "Janmahbhumi" ("motherland").[3][4] Nowadays, the song is used as the de facto state song for Sikkim, played at state government functions and social gatherings.[5][6][7][8]

Lyrics

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Romanization English translation

Janha bagcha Teesta rangit,
Jahan Khanchendzonga seer
Yehi ho hamro dhana ko desh,
Tapawan ho pyaro sikkim
 
Phulchan yeha aanganai maa,
Chaap, guras, sunakhari
Swargasari sundar desh ko
Hamro pyaro pyaro janmah bhumi

Janha bagcha Teesta rangit,
Jahan Khanchendzonga seer
 
Batashle bokchaa yaha,
Tathagat ko aamar waani shradha,
Bhakti garchau sadha,
Yehi matokaa phool rahau hami.

Janha bagcha Teesta rangit,
Jahan Khanchendzonga seer
 
Buddham saranam gacchami,
Dharmam saranam gacchami,
Sangam saranam gacchami.

Where Teesta and Rangeet flow ahead
Where Kangchenjunga is placed as the head
This is our country of rice,
The pious Sikkim is our land so nice

Here the beautiful flowers blooming
at our courtyard look so genuine
It’s almost like a celestial abode
by dint of our motherland.

Where Teesta and Rangeet flow ahead
Where Kangchenjunga is placed as the head

The air carries here immortal preaching words of Buddha,
who did the ultimate toil,
We adore and worship it always as we pine
to remain as the flowers of this soil

Where Teesta and Rangeet flow ahead
Where Kangchenjunga is placed as the head

I will take retreat to Buddha
I will take retreat to Dhamma
I will take retreat to Sangha

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Hiltz, Jackie (November 2003). "Constructing Sikkimese National Identity in the 1960s and 1970s" (PDF). Bulletin of Tibetology. 39 (2): 67–83. ISSN 0525-1516.
  2. ^ a b "Darjeeling Unlimited :: National Anthem of Sikkim". www.darjeeling-unlimited.com.
  3. ^ Upadhyay, Dr Rajen. "National Song of Independent Sikkim".
  4. ^ "Proud to be a Sikkimese - Sikkim State: JANHA BAGCHA TEESTA RANGIT". April 22, 2009.
  5. ^ "News Detail". Sikkim.gov.in. 2019-11-27. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
  6. ^ "Jaha bagcha Teesta-Rangit Performance by Sikkim Police". sikkim.com. Archived from the original on 2023-04-19. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
  7. ^ "Celebration of Sikkimese culture in Chandigarh college". Scstsenvis.nic.in. 2013-11-22. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
  8. ^ "The Voice of Sikkim - 'Jaha Bagcha Teesta Rangit' will be recognized as state song; Education Minister Kunga Nima. He announced during a book release programme of Padma Shree Sanu Lama, at Minister theater, Manan Kendra, Jiwan Theeng Marg, Gangtok. | Facebook | By The Voice of Sikkim | 'Jaha Bagcha Teesta Rangit' will be recognized as state song; Education Minister Kunga Nima. He has announced during a book release programme of Padma..." www.facebook.com.
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