Whenever the red and yellow flag waves proudly across Karnataka, one song echoes in every Kannadiga’s heart —
“Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate.”
This timeless anthem is not just a song; it’s an emotion — a melody that celebrates the beauty, pride, and heritage of Karnataka. Written by the legendary poet Kuppali Venkatappa Puttappa, lovingly known as Kuvempu, it captures the soul of the land where rivers flow, hills stand tall, and language binds millions together.
The title itself means “Victory to you, Mother Karnataka, daughter of Bharata (India)”, beautifully portraying Karnataka as a proud child of Mother India.
In every school, celebration, and Rajyotsava event, the anthem reminds Kannadigas of their unity, courage, and rich cultural roots.
It’s not just sung — it’s felt.
Through this post, let’s explore:
- The full lyrics of this iconic song,
- Its meaning and translation,
- And the story behind how it became the official anthem of Karnataka.
About the Poet – Kuvempu
No story of Karnataka’s cultural pride is complete without the name Kuvempu — one of the greatest literary figures in Kannada history.
Born as Kuppali Venkatappa Puttappa on December 29, 1904, in the Chikmagalur district, Kuvempu grew up surrounded by the natural beauty of the Western Ghats. It was this environment that deeply shaped his love for nature, language, and humanity.
He believed that literature should uplift society, unite people, and promote universal values. His philosophy, called “Vishwamanava Tatva” or Universal Humanism, envisioned a world where every human being lives in harmony — beyond caste, religion, and region.
Kuvempu’s works — from his famous novel “Malegalalli Madumagalu” to his powerful poems — reflect his deep devotion to Kannada and his belief that language is the soul of identity.
In “Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate”, Kuvempu poured his love for Karnataka into words that celebrate both regional pride and national unity. He reminds every Kannadiga that Karnataka is not separate from India — it is the shining daughter of Mother Bharata.
For his unmatched contributions to literature, Kuvempu was honoured with the Jnanpith Award in 1967, becoming the first Kannada writer to receive this highest literary recognition.
Even today, his words inspire generations — not just as poetry, but as a philosophy of life.
Also read, –
Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate Lyrics – Kannada
ಜಯ ಭಾರತ ಜನನಿಯ ತನುಜಾತೆ,
ಜಯ ಹೇ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಮಾತೆ!
ಜಯ ಸುಂದರ ನದಿ ವನಗಳ ನಾಡೇ,
ಜಯ ಹೇ ರಸಋಷಿಗಳ ಬೀಡೆ!
ಭೂದೇವಿಯ ಮಕುಟದ ನವಮಣಿಯೆ,
ಗಂಧದ ಚಂದದ ಹೊನ್ನಿನ ಗಣಿಯೆ;
ರಾಘವ ಮಧುಸೂಧನರವತರಿಸಿದ
ಭಾರತ ಜನನಿಯ ತನುಜಾತೆ!
ಜಯ ಹೇ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಮಾತೆ!
ಜನನಿಯ ಜೋಗುಳ ವೇದದ ಘೋಷ,
ಜನನಿಗೆ ಜೀವವು ನಿನ್ನಾವೇಶ!
ಹಸುರಿನ ಗಿರಿಗಳ ಸಾಲೇ,
ನಿನ್ನಯ ಕೊರಳಿನ ಮಾಲೆ!
ಕಪಿಲ ಪತಂಜಲ ಗೌತಮ ಜಿನನುತ,
ಭಾರತ ಜನನಿಯ ತನುಜಾತೆ!
ಜಯ ಹೇ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಮಾತೆ!
ಶಂಕರ ರಾಮಾನುಜ ವಿದ್ಯಾರಣ್ಯ,
ಬಸವೇಶ್ವರ ಮಧ್ವರ ದಿವ್ಯಾರಣ್ಯ.
ರನ್ನ ಷಡಕ್ಷರಿ ಪೊನ್ನ,
ಪಂಪ ಲಕುಮಿಪತಿ ಜನ್ನ.
ಕುಮಾರವ್ಯಾಸರ ಮಂಗಳಧಾಮ,
ಕವಿಕೋಗಿಲೆಗಳ ಪುಣ್ಯಾರಾಮ.
ನಾನಕ ರಮಾನಂದ ಕಬೀರರ
ಭಾರತ ಜನನಿಯ ತನುಜಾತೆ,
ಜಯ ಹೇ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಮಾತೆ.
ತೈಲಪ ಹೊಯ್ಸಳರಾಳಿದ ನಾಡೆ,
ಡಂಕಣ ಜಕಣರ ನೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಬೀಡೆ.
ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಶರಾವತಿ ತುಂಗಾ,
ಕಾವೇರಿಯ ವರ ರಂಗ.
ಚೈತನ್ಯ ಪರಮಹಂಸ ವಿವೇಕರ
ಭಾರತ ಜನನಿಯ ತನುಜಾತೆ,
ಜಯ ಹೇ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಮಾತೆ.
ಸರ್ವಜನಾಂಗದ ಶಾಂತಿಯ ತೋಟ,
ರಸಿಕರ ಕಂಗಳ ಸೆಳೆಯುವ ನೋಟ!
ಹಿಂದೂ ಕ್ರೈಸ್ತ ಮುಸಲ್ಮಾನ,
ಪಾರಸಿಕ ಜೈನರುದ್ಯಾನ
ಜನಕನ ಹೋಲುವ ದೊರೆಗಳ ಧಾಮ,
ಗಾಯಕ ವೈಣಿಕರಾರಾಮ.
ಕನ್ನಡ ನುಡಿ ಕುಣಿದಾಡುವ ಗೇಹ!
ಕನ್ನಡ ತಾಯಿಯ ಮಕ್ಕಳ ದೇಹ!
ಜಯ ಭಾರತ ಜನನಿಯ ತನುಜಾತೆ,
ಜಯ ಹೇ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಮಾತೆ!
ಜಯ ಸುಂದರ ನದಿ ವನಗಳ ನಾಡೆ,
ಜಯ ಹೇ ರಸಋಷಿಗಳ ಬೀಡೆ!
Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate Lyrics – English
Jaya bharata jananiya tanujate
Jai he karnataka mate
Jaya sundara nadi vanagala naade
Jai he rasa rushigala beede
Bhoodeviya mukutada nava maniye
Gandhada chandada honnina ganiye
Raghava madhusudhanaravatarisida
Bharata jananiya tanujaathe
Jai he karnataka mate
Jananiya jogula vedada ghosha
Jananige jeevavu ninna vesha
Hasurina girigala saale
Ninnaya koralina maale
Kapila patanjala gautama jinanuta
Bharata jananiya tanujaate
Jaya he karnataka mate
Shankara ramanuja vidyaranya
Basaveshvara madhvara divyaranya
Ranna shadakshara ponna
Pampa lakumipati janna
Kumaravyasara mangala dhaama
Kavi kogilegala punyaraama
Nanaka raamananda kabirara
Bharata jananiya tanujaathe
Jaya he karnataka mate
Tailapa hoysalaraalida naade
Dankana jakanara nechchina bide
Krishna sharavati tunga
Kaveriya vara ranga
Chaitanya paramahamsa vivekara
Bharata jananiya tanujaathe
Jaya he karnataka mate
Sarvajanaangada shantiya tota
Rasikara kangala seleyuva nota
Hindu chraista musalmaana
Paarasika jainarudyaana
Janakana holuva doregala dhaama
Gaayaka vainikararaama
Kannada nudi kunidaaduva geha
Kannada taayiya makkala deha
Jai bharatha jananiya tanujate
Jai he karnataka mate
Jaya sundara nadi vanagala naade
Jai he rasa rushigala beede
Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate – English Translation
Victory to you Mother Karnataka,
The daughter of Mother India!
Hail the land of beautiful rivers and forests!
Hail the abode of saints and seers!
A new jewel in the crown of Goddess Earth,
You are a trove of sandalwood, beauty and gold.
Victory to you Mother Karnataka,
the daughter of Mother India,
where Rama and Krishna had their incarnations.
Resonance of the Vedas is the Mother’s lullaby,
Your fervour is what gives Her life.
Rows of green mountains are your necklaces.
Victory to you Mother Karnataka,
the daughter of Mother India
who is hailed by Kapila,
Patañjali, Gautama and Jina.
You are a sacred forest of knowledge where Shankara, Ramanuja,
Vidyaranya, Basaveswara, Madhvacharya and others dwelt.
You are the holy abode where Ranna,
Shadakshari, Ponna, Pampa,
Lakshmisa, Kumaravyasa and Janna were born.
You are the blessed resting place of many a poet-nightingale.
Victory to you Mother Karnataka,
the daughter of Mother India
The progenitor of Nanak, Ramananda and Kabir.
This is the land ruled (in the past) by Tailapa and Hoysalas,
The beloved home of Dankana and Jakkana.
This land blessed with the waters of the Krishna,
Sharavathi, Tunga and Kaveri.
Victory to you Mother Karnataka,
The daughter of Mother India!
(The India) of Chaitanya, Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda.
Garden of peace for all communities,
A sight that allures the connoisseurs,
A garden where Hindus, Christians, Muslims,
Parsis and the Jains (can grow together);
The site where many kings like Janaka ruled;
A heaven for singers and musicians.
The body of the children of Mother Kannada!
The house where the Kannada Tongue plays in joy!
Victory to you Mother Karnataka,
The daughter of Mother India!
Hail the land of beautiful rivers and forests!
Hail the abode of saints and seers!
Significance of the Anthem
“Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate” is not just Karnataka’s state song — it’s the soul of Kannada pride.
Every word in this anthem reflects the heart of the land, its natural beauty, its people, and their devotion to both Karnataka and India.
🌾 The Spirit of the Song
Kuvempu envisioned Karnataka as the “daughter of Bharata”, beautifully blending regional identity with national unity.
Through this anthem, he reminded Kannadigas that loving one’s motherland begins with loving one’s roots — and that Kannada culture is a vital part of India’s greatness.
Each line celebrates:
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The rivers, mountains, and forests that define Karnataka’s landscape.
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The kindness, courage, and wisdom of its people.
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And the harmony between tradition and progress that makes the state unique.
🏛️ Official Recognition
Although the song had long been revered, it was officially adopted as the State Anthem of Karnataka in 2004.
The government chose Kuvempu’s composition because it represented the state’s cultural and linguistic unity — not as a slogan, but as a philosophy of pride and belonging.
Today, it is sung at:
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Government ceremonies and cultural events
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Schools, colleges, and public celebrations
-
Every Karnataka Rajyotsava (November 1st) — as a mark of respect and pride
❤️💛 A Song Beyond Time
Generations have grown up singing “Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate.”
Its melody still echoes through school assemblies, Rajyotsava stages, and Kannada Sanghas across the world — keeping alive a sense of home for every Kannadiga, no matter where they are.
This anthem doesn’t just praise a land; it unites hearts.
It teaches us that Kannada is not just a language — it’s an emotion, a rhythm that flows through the people, mountains, and rivers of this sacred land.
Conclusion
“Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate” is far more than a state anthem — it’s a living heartbeat of Karnataka.
Every time its melody rises, it stirs something deep within every Kannadiga — a sense of belonging, pride, and gratitude.
Kuvempu’s timeless words remind us that true patriotism begins with loving one’s motherland — and Karnataka, as the daughter of Bharata, stands tall as a land of courage, creativity, and compassion.
As the red and yellow flag waves high this Rajyotsava, let this anthem echo in every heart —
celebrating not just a state, but a civilization that continues to inspire India.
Jai Karnataka! Jai Kannada! ❤️💛
🙋♂️ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who wrote Karnataka’s state anthem?
The Karnataka state anthem “Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate” was written by the great Kannada poet Kuvempu (Kuppali Venkatappa Puttappa).
2. What does “Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate” mean?
It means “Victory to you, Mother Karnataka, the daughter of Bharata (India).” The song celebrates Karnataka’s beauty, culture, and unity as part of the Indian nation.
3. When was it declared the official state anthem of Karnataka?
The song was officially adopted as the State Anthem of Karnataka in 2004 by the Government of Karnataka.
4. In which language is the anthem written?
It is written in Kannada, the official language of Karnataka, and is regarded as one of the most poetic and meaningful compositions in Indian state songs.
5. Who composed the music for “Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate”?
The musical version commonly sung today was composed by C. Ashwath and Mysore Ananthaswamy, both respected figures in Kannada music.
6. When is the anthem usually sung?
It is sung during Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations (November 1st), government functions, schools, cultural events, and Kannada Sahitya Sammelanas as a mark of respect and pride.
7. What values does the anthem promote?
The anthem celebrates unity, culture, language, and love for Karnataka, while emphasizing harmony within India — expressing Kuvempu’s philosophy of “Vishwamanava” (Universal Humanism).
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