Soul Songs of a Country: The dazzling diversity of national anthems (IANS Column: Bookends)

Apart from the flag, national anthems are the most cherished symbols of nationhood. However, are these musical compositions, eulogising the particular country/nation's history and traditions or expounding its destiny, only the cultural epitome of patriotic sentiment?

Examples from around the world show anthems are not only valuable representations of history, politics, and popular sentiments - but also a prime form of literary expression, for they are, essentially poems, whether they praise the nation's history or topography, invoke deities for protection, or call their compatriots to action.

British journalist and anthem expert Alex Marshall divide anthems into four types. And his focus is mainly the music, the lyrics also are key.

The first are the hymn sorts - in both music and lyrics, which Marshall attributes to the pervading influence of UK's "God Save the King" and colonialism, for cropping up across Africa