"" () is the national anthem of Madagascar. The lyrics were written by Pasteur Rahajason, and the music by Norbert Raharisoa. It is similar to a march and was strongly influenced by European music and the French colonial education system. It is often played by Malagasy musicians on the accordion.
The anthem was officially adopted on 27 April 1959 by the parliament of Madagascar prior to the official granting of independence on 26 June 1960. Philibert Tsiranana was the prime minister of Madagascar during the creation of the anthem, and Michel Debré was the French prime minister during this time. The main focus of the anthem is love of the land, as well as thankfulness to God and an appeal to unity and loyalty under the nation.
History
Pastor Rahajason (1897-1971) is credited with writing the national anthem of Madagascar. He was influenced by the French colonial education system, the aim of which was to assimilate the colonised people and was part of the broader civilising mission. This system was designed to orient local Malagasy populations towards the French colonial project, promoting strong ties to the French language, as well as French civilisation, values and cultural preferences. The schools were often associated with various missionary organisations, imparting a strong religious education overtone, also accounting for Rahajason's exposure to Christianity and his subsequent decision to become a pastor.
Norbert Raharisoa (1914-1963) is credited with composing the national anthem of Madagascar. Raharisoa was also a music teacher and professor. The anthem was originally written in French and Malagasy.
The anthem betrays its colonial influence through the general absence of local musical styles and instrument types. Ron Emoff, professor of music and anthropology at OSU Newark, notes that the anthem is not played in the vakondra-zana style, which is the style of the ancestors' music, also known as a form of traditional music.
Lyrics
{| class="wikitable"
!Malagasy lyrics
!IPA transcription
!French translation
!Literal English translation of the French
|- style="vertical-align:top; white-space:nowrap;"
|<poem></poem>
|<poem></poem>
|<poem></poem>
|<poem>I
Oh dear land of our ancestors,
Oh beautiful Madagascar!
Our love for you will not falter,
And will remain to your cause eternally faithful.
Bless, oh Creator,
This island of our ancestors
May it know joy and happiness
And may we be truly happy.
II
Oh beloved land of our ancestors
We wish to place at your service
Our body, our heart, our soul,
which is indeed precious and full of dignity.
III
Oh beloved land of our ancestors
We pray that you be blessed,
By the Creator of the universe
who is the foundation of your existence.
𝄆 𝄇</poem>
|}
Analysis of lyrics
thumb|225px|A monument in [[Antsirabe displaying the first two measures of "Ry Tanindrazanay malala ô!"]]
Writing about Madagascar, researcher Igor Cusack explains that its anthem was influenced by its French colonial masters and featured the themes: blessed by God, God save our land/people, and a nonspecific love of their beloved land.
According to Cusack, the first stanza focuses on an all-encompassing love of the nation and the land. It opens with a collective remembrance and affection for the past and the ways of the past as represented by the ancestors and closes with a nationalistic promise of fidelity and loyalty to the nation.