FLAGS in National Anthems and Patriotic Songs, Part- VII

Palestine

Fida'I  (Revolutionist‎) is the “Anthem of the Palestinian revolution". It was adopted in 1996. Written by Said Al Muzayin (Aka Fata Al Thawra), and its music was composed by Egyptian maestro Ali Ismael. The song commences with the words:  Biladi Biladi (My country, my country) and the last stanza goes with:

“By the oath under the shade of the flag
By my land and nation, and the fire of pain
I will live as a Revolutionist*, I will remain a Revolutionist,
I will end as a Revolutionist - until my country returns”.

Philippines

The Philippine National Anthem lyrics has three versions- "Lupang Hinirang" in Tagalog language (1948) penned by Felipe Padilla de Leon
The anthem music was composed by Julian Felipe in 1898. The stamps above features Julian Felipe, the anthem composer, with Jose Palma.

 The anthem in Spanish version "Filipinas" was written by Jose Palma in 1899,  

  "Philippine Hymn" the anthem in English version (1938) was written by Camilo Osias.
Presently, only the anthem in Tagalog version is used throughout Philippines.
The first and second verses and the chorus of the Lupang Hinirang allude to the light of the sun and stars in the flag; the fourth verse states “Thy banner, dear to all our hearts, its sun and stars alight, O never shall its shinning field be dimmed by Tyrant’s might”.
 
Portugal
A Portuguesa  is the national anthem of Portugal. Composed by Alfredo Keil  and written by Henrique Lopes de Mendonca during the resurgent nationalist movement ignited by the 1890British ultimatum to Portugal concerning its African colonies. It was adopted as the national anthem of the newborn Portiguse Republic in 1911, replacing O Hino da Carta  the anthem of the deposed  monarchy.

 Portugal celebrated the 100^th anniversary of the first performance of its national anthem in 1990.

The anthem proclaims;
“Unfurl the unconquering flag in the bright light of your sky! Cry out to all Europe and the whole world that Portugal has not perished”.
 

Romania

Trei culori (Three colours) was the national anthem of Romania from 1977 until 1989. Since the anti-communist Revolution of 1989 it has been replaced by Deşteaptă-te, Române! (1989-present). Trei culori  was written by Ciprian Porumbescu, as the name suggests the anthem had a  direct reference to the Romanian tricoloured national flag. 

The song had the following wordings (variously translated);

Three colours I know in the world

And I hold them like a holy jewel

They are colours with an ancient fame

Reminders of a brave nation.

As long as in the sky and in the world

There will be these three colours

We'll have a glorious name

And a glorious future.

Red is the bravery's fire

Sacrifices that won't ever be lost

Yellow, the plain's gold

And blue is our sky.

Envelope with the score of Porumbescu's "Trei Culori" (in use-1977-1990) issued in 1977.

Even Te Slăvim Românie (We glorify thee, Romania) which was the national anthem during the period between 1953 and 1977 mentioned the Flag. 

São Tomé and Príncipe
“Independência Total” is the national anthem of São Tomé and Príncipe. The anthem, adopted in 1975, was written by Alda Neves da Graça do Espírito Santo and composed by Manuel dos Santos Barreto de Sousa e Almeida.

In the crusade of the African peoples,
Raising the national flag.
Voice of the people, present, present and united.

Saudi Arabia
The “Al- Salaam al-Mamlaki al- Saud”,  the Royal Salute of Saudi Arabia  was adopted in 1950 and then again in 1984 with a change in lyrics. The original lyrics (1950) were written by Mohammed Talat while the new lyrics (1984) were written by Ibrahim Khafaji.
 
“Hasten to glory and supremacy!
Glorify the Creator of the heavens
And raise the green, fluttering flag,
Carrying the emblem of Light!
Repeat - God is greatest!
O my country,
My country, may you always live,
The glory of all Muslims!
Long live the King,
For the flag and the country!”

(To be continued)

Quest for a Flag for India,part-V and The European flags of Exploration, Colonial Ambitions and Settlements in India; Portuguese Flag

Home Rule Flag of India -1917

At the time of Home Rule Movement in1917, Dr. Annie Besant and B. P. Wadia in consultation with B. G. Tilak and Mohammad Ali Jinnah devised the Home Rule Flag, which had five Red (for Hindus) and four Green (for Muslims) stripes arranged alternately superimposed with seven Stars in the configuration of Sapta Rishi (or the Great Bear) typical of the Seven Wise Sages of India who were the Founders of her civilization along with the symbol of Crescent moon & star of the Mohammedans. On the canton there was the British Union Jack. The inclusion of the Union Jack symbolizing the goal of dominion status; the people, however, did not take kindly to it. 

The Home rule Flag was hoisted at the 1917 Congress Session in Calcutta under the Presidentship of Annie Besant

Annie Besant was born in 1847; the stamp has wrong date 1837 – 1933.

The all Hindi postmark from Ratnagiri (Tilak’s birth place) issued on his centenary of birth on  23. 07. 1956.

The all Hindi postmark from Ratnagiri ( Tilak’s birth place) issued on his centenary of birth on  23. 07. 1956.

THE EUROPEAN FLAGS OF EXPLORATION, COLONIAL AMBITIONS AND SETTLEMENTS IN INDIA; Portuguese Flag, Part-I

(In this column we shall discuss about the various European flags that were brought by the Western explorers with colonial ambitions in India in early 16^th and 17^th century)

 India had extensive links with the Hellenic and Roman civilizations between the 4^th. Century B.C. and the 4th Century A.D. Alexander’s invasion of India gave rise to the Hellenic links and very considerable maritime trade established link with the Roman Empire.

In Search of Water- a Hindu Plate. The Stamp commemorates the 2300 years of the civilising effect of theAlexander the Great.

Portuguese navigators opened the age of discovery by leading the West to meet the East. Renewed contact with the West began with the arrival of the Portuguese navigator Vasco-da-Gama at Calicut in 1498.

The English description at the back of the stamp (on the gum-side) reads; “A composition with Hindu elements” on the portrait of Vasco-da-Gama which hangs in the Sociedade de Geografia, Lisbon”.

The Portuguese voyages of exploration were inspired by Henry the Navigator, who was master of the Order of Christ. The Flag of the Order was used extensively by Portuguese ships. It was in memory of Henry the Navigator that the Armilla or Armillary Sphere was used in later Portuguese flags.

Cartografia Portuguesa; Carta do atlas de lopo Homem-Reines,1519

 The map of Indian sub-continent shows Portuguese flags of the 16th.Century.

World’s first ‘Omnibus Issue’- a set of 8 (eight) stamps in eight different designs were issued on 1^st April,1898 from Portugal and her overseas Colonies including Portuguese India ( Estado da India) on the occasion of four hundred anniversary of Vasco-da- Gama’s Discovery of Sea Route to India.
** Portugal since then has issued innumerable stamps on Vasco-da-Gama, San Gabriel- his Flagship, as well as, on the maritime route to India. It offers a very good possibility of developing a fascinating World class One Frame Exhibit with its extensive philatelic variations, such as, overprinted and surcharged issues,  and a tremendous range of varieties, errors and reprints.