National Anthem of Nepal
After
the revolutions of spring 2006 against the monarchy, Nepal sought to replace
its pro-monarchy anthem with a new one in a public contest. The winner, Pradeep
Kumar Rai (writing under the pen name व्याकुल माइला (Byakul Maila)) was selected from
1,272 submissions. During the submission process, Rai and his family were
interviewed several times to prove he was not a monarchist, since he one edited
a book of poetry that contained a submission from the king.
The
new anthem was officially declared on August 3, 2007. Despite the lyrics
speaking of diversity, peace, and unity, the anthem is seen as highly tied to
the Maoist government that controls Nepal, whereas some of the Maoists
themselves want a more revolutionary anthem.
Special
thanks to: Erwin Hoheisel for providing some of this information and the
Romanized Nepali lyrics and English translation.
National Anthem
Sayau
thunga phoolkaa haamee yautai mala nepali
Sarwabhauma bhai phailayakaa mechi mahakalee
Sayau thunga phoolkaa haamee yautai mala nepali
Sarwabhauma bhai phailayakaa mechi mahakalee
Prakritekaa kotee kotee sampadako aachala
Beerharukaa ragatale swatantra ra aatala
Gyanbhumee shantebhumee tarai pahaada hemaala
Akhanda yoo pyaro hamro matrebhumee nepal
Bahul jaate bhashha dharma sanskritee chhan
besaala
Agragame rastra hamro jaya jaya nepal
English Translation
We are hundreds of flowers, the one garland – Nepali
Sovereign, spread out from Mechi to Mahakali.
We are hundreds of flowers, the one garland –
Nepali
Sovereign, spread out from Mechi to Mahakali.
Amassing nature’s millions of heritage
By the blood of the braves, independent and
immovable.
Land of knowledge, land of peace, Terai hills,
mountains
Undivided this beloved, our motherland Nepal.
Diverse race, language, religion, culture are so
large
Our progressive nation, long live, long live
Nepal.
Nepali
सयौं थुँगा फूलका हामी, एउटै माला नेपाली
सार्वभौम भई फैलिएका, मेची-माहाकाली।
प्रकृतिका कोटी-कोटी सम्पदाको आंचल
वीरहरूका रगतले, स्वतन्त्र र अटल।4
ज्ञानभूमि, शान्तिभूमि तराई, पहाड, हिमाल
अखण्ड यो प्यारो हाम्रो मातृभूमि नेपाल।
बहुल जाति, भाषा, धर्म, संस्कृति छन् विशाल
अग्रगामी राष्ट्र हाम्रो, जय जय नेपाल।
