Gurugram: Haryana will unveil its official state anthem during the upcoming Budget Session of the Assembly beginning 7 March.
‘Jai Jai Jai Haryana’ was finalised last month by a five-member state song selection committee chaired by Laxman Singh Yadav, BJP MLA from Rewari.
The 21-line song celebrates Haryana’s rich cultural heritage and historical significance. It pays tribute to the sacred land of Kurukshetra, the valour of its soldiers, the dedication of its farmers, and the accomplishments of its athletes, while also highlighting the state’s love for milk and curd.
The lyrics of the anthem have been penned by Dr Balkishan Sharma from Panipat, a renowned scholar of Hindi and Haryanvi folk literature. Composed by Paras Chopra and directed by Malvika Pandit from Rohtak, it has been sung by Dr Shyam Sharma.
Balwan Singh Daulatpuria, Congress MLA from Fatehabad and a member of the song selection committee, told ThePrint Tuesday that the committee listened to multiple versions of the three shortlisted songs during meetings held at the State Assembly. “Some versions lacked the Haryanvi touch, while others did not comprehensively describe Haryana. However, ‘Jai Jai Jai Haryana’ stood out as the perfect representation of the state,” he said.
The idea of having an anthem for Haryana was first proposed during the 2019-2024 Assembly term, with most of the groundwork completed during that period. The selection process continued after the 2024 elections, culminating in the final decision on 28 February.
The anthem also captures the essence of Haryana’s lifestyle, highlighting its traditional diet of milk and curd. It celebrates the state’s social and cultural unity, where festivals like Holi, Diwali, Eid, and Gurupurab are observed together. Additionally, it emphasises Haryana’s progress in education and trade while showcasing its rich folk arts, including Saang and Ragini.
The lyrics also pay tribute to Haryana’s contributions to the nation, honouring its farmers producing golden crops, sportspersons winning medals for the country, and soldiers protecting the nation’s borders. The song concludes by portraying Haryana as a small yet proud state where the tradition of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ (guest is god) continues to thrive.
Dr Balkishan Sharma, the lyricist, is a former Associate Professor at SD PG College, Panipat, and has served as the Head of the Hindi Department. He is a distinguished scholar of Hindi and Haryanvi folk literature, with eight published books.
Speaking to ThePrint, Dr Sharma said that the Haryana Art and Culture Department had invited entries for the anthem in 2023. Out of 500 entries, seven were shortlisted, and three were presented before the assembly during the winter session of 2023.
The move to adopt a state anthem aligns Haryana with states like Maharashtra and Gujarat, which have their own official songs—’Jai Jai Maharashtra Majha’ and ‘Jai Jai Garvi Gujarat’.
(Edited by Sudha V)
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