by Bikram Sinha

Created on: June 01, 2009   Last Updated: June 02, 2009

A National Anthem is the heart and soul of a nation. It reflects the nation's identity and its uniqueness among others. It echoes the voice of a nation. Therefore, it is immensely respected and powerful element for a nation. It can encourage its people, make them proud and fill them with glory. So, it is not just a few lines with a melody, but it is soul inspiring and the best weapon to motivate every citizen of a nation. Every nation should preserve its originality and never allow change to its own identity. We have seen the power of the national anthem in International games like the Olympics, world conferences or even in battle fields. It is a perfect element to energize the army or show respect to a nation's achievement.

We have seen the limitless artistic liberty in movies, theatres or dramas. Art should be open and flexible to raise its voice. It is the face of a nation's culture. There are many open subjects in movies like political events, historical battles, real life auto biographies etc. Everywhere art has been given enough power to explore and experiment in its own way. That's the reason why movies have become so popular as a medium of art. It's the medium through which a society reveals its beauty or darkness and penetrates the mass. People do appreciate the liberalization of art in movies.

But movies should not be allowed to change or twist the National Anthem for its own purpose. National Anthems are like National flags. Just as a National flag represents a nation with its uniqueness, a National Anthem also depicts the same representation, so nobody in this world should try to change its uniqueness.

Movies should not be allowed to change the wording or present an anthem in a different form. The Central Film Censor board should impose restriction on it. It is a shame and a sign of disrespect. When we talk about the national anthem, it speaks about the whole nation. Nobody can change a nation's own voice. Therefore I would strongly support opinion against changing the national anthem in movies even if movies enjoy the limitless artistic liberty in the twentieth century.

There are many instances in a movie where a song or theme has been given a different shape according to the situation or story. This is justified and acceptable, but changing the national anthem means disgracing nation's face and challenging its values and morality. As a responsible citizen of a nation, we should remember this mantra and raise our hands if someone wants to cross his limit and run his pen over the National Anthem.

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