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Global Voices Unite to Recite Indian Diplomat Abhay K's Earth Anthem on 56th Earth Day

On the 56th Earth Day, people from Iran, Azerbaijan, India, and Madagascar joined to recite the Earth Anthem by Indian poet-diplomat Abhay K., highlighting its universal appeal. The anthem was presented in multiple languages, including Persian, Russian, Sanskrit, and Hindi, by various artists. Originally written in 2008, it draws from the ancient Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and the iconic "Blue Marble" photograph. Translated into over 160 languages, the anthem has been performed at the United Nations and continues to inspire global environmental awareness.

Key Points: Earth Anthem by Abhay K. Unites Global Voices on 56th Earth Day

  • Earth Anthem by Indian poet-diplomat Abhay K. recited globally on 56th Earth Day
  • Recitations in Persian, Russian, Sanskrit, Hindi by diverse voices
  • Inspired by Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and Blue Marble photo
  • Translated into over 160 languages, performed at UN in 2020
3 min read

Global voices unite around Indian diplomat-poet Abhay K's Earth Anthem on 56th Earth Day

People across continents recite Indian diplomat-poet Abhay K's Earth Anthem in multiple languages, celebrating 56th Earth Day with a message of planetary unity.

"cosmic oasis and blue pearl - Earth Anthem by Abhay K."

Baku, April 24

Marking the 56th Earth Day, people across continents came together through poetry, reciting and recording the Earth Anthem, a composition by Indian poet-diplomat Abhay K. that calls for a shared sense of planetary belonging.

The worldwide observance saw a chorus of voices from countries including Iran, Azerbaijan, India and Madagascar, reflecting the poem's universal appeal. The anthem was rendered in multiple languages, with Maasoomeh Navazani presenting it in Persian, Arju Alieva in Russian, Dhruv Trivedi in Sanskrit, and Amitabh Singh Baghel and Selcan Xanpasayeva in Hindi.

Originally written in 2008 in St. Petersburg, Russia, the Earth Anthem draws inspiration from the ancient Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which envisions the world as one family. It also reflects imagery from the iconic "Blue Marble" photograph captured during the Apollo 17 Moon Mission, portraying Earth as a fragile, luminous sphere in space. Through metaphors such as a "cosmic oasis" and a "blue pearl," the poem emphasises humanity's shared responsibility toward the planet and its biodiversity.

Over the years, the anthem has evolved into a global cultural expression. It was set to music in 2013 by Sapan Ghimire and sung by Shreya Sotang, before being reinterpreted by violin maestro Dr L. Subramaniam and vocalist Kavita Krishnamurti. Today, it stands as a rare artistic work that transcends borders, languages and cultures.

Translated into more than 160 languages, including all six official UN languages, the Earth Anthem has been widely used to commemorate environmental milestones. Notably, it was performed at the United Nations during the 50th anniversary of Earth Day in 2020.

Abhay K. is the author of a dozen poetry books, including Celestial, Stray Poems, Monsoon, The Magic of Madagascar and The Alphabets of Latin America, and is the editor of The Book of Bihari Literature, The Bloomsbury Book of Great Indian Love Poems, Capitals, New Brazilian Poems and The Bloomsbury Anthology of Great Indian Poems.

His poems have appeared in over a hundred literary magazines, including Poetry Salzburg Review and Asia Literary Review. His 'Earth Anthem' has been translated into over 160 languages. He received the SAARC Literary Award (2013) and was invited to record his poems at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., in 2018. His translations of Kalidasa's Meghaduta and Ritusamhara from Sanskrit won him the KLF Poetry Book of the Year Award (2020-21). His translation of the first Magahi novel Fool Bahadur has been widely acclaimed, and his translation of The Hanuman Chalisa won him the Sarojini Naidu Award for poetry.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
The Earth Anthem is beautiful, but I wonder how many people actually know about it beyond diplomatic circles. Would love to see it sung in schools and community events across India, not just at UN events. Make it a people's anthem too!
J
James A
Impressive that it's been translated into 160+ languages—that's a genuine global reach. The Blue Marble imagery really resonates. As someone who works in environmental policy, cultural expressions like this matter more than we think for building planetary consciousness.
V
Vikram M
Finally, some good news! We're so busy fighting over borders and resources, we forget we share one planet. This poet-diplomat seems truly talented—translating Kalidasa and winning awards too. Would love to see his work in our school curriculum. A true gem from Bihar! 🪷
S
Sarah B
Really inspiring to see poetry bridging divides in this fragmented world. The fact that an Indian diplomat wrote it in St. Petersburg and now it's sung in Persian, Russian, Sanskrit—just wow. We need more of this cross-cultural collaboration on climate action.
N
Nikita C
While I appreciate the sentiment, I hope this isn't just another elite event. The real test is whether this reaches our farmers, daily wage workers, and tribal communities who are most affected by climate change. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam must include everyone, not just diplomats.
M

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