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India's Official National Song
Moreover, there was generous appreciation from experts in Bombay, both official and professional. It was therefore expected, that unless the technical objection was a mere facade, the Constituent Assembly would adopt Vande Mataram as the national anthem. The Government's objections having been disproved, the nation heaved a sigh of relief.
Mahatma Gandhi wanted Vande Mataram to be our national anthem. The song was invariably sung at his prayer meetings. After Vande Matram was sung on August 29, 1947, Gandhi ji said, "Vande Matram should be set to music so that millions can sing it together, and feel the thrill. They should all sing in the same raga, with the same bhava. Shantiniketan or some other competent institution should design an acceptable raga." This wish of Gandhi ji was fulfilled through Master Krishni Rao's craftsmanship.
After this time, the whole of Bengal, under the leadership of its Premier Dr B. C. Roy, took up the campaign in favor of Vande Mataram.
In view of this background, the possibility of the members of the Constituent Assembly, inspired by sentiments of patriotism, adopting Vande Mataram as the national anthem was indeed strong. But things were happening behind the scene.
In GOI's publication (Our
National Songs), it is said that experts were of the view that Vande Mataram
lacked rhythm and movement. Of course they were official experts, and remain
unidentified. In their opinion the essential qualification of a national anthem
is 'tal' (beat) and hence recommeded Janaganamana.
Mahatama
Gandhi called Janaganamana a religious hymn, not the national anthem, but he
characterised numerous times Vandemataram as the national anthem.
About
Janaganamana, Humayun Kabir agrees with the view expressed by Gandhi ji. "In
a sense it is more a religious hymn for all mankind than a national anthem for
any country." (Rabindaranath Tagore, a Centenary Vol.p.152)
And let
us see what are the sentiments expressed by many about Vande Mataram:
Vandemataram was an expression of nationalism, its very soul, and therefore
the natinal anthem. It quickly spread throughout India, and was on the lips of
millions as the national anthem. (Maharishi Aurobind in 'Mahayogi' p.47)
"The
greatest and most enduring gift of the swedeshi movement was Vande Mataram, the
uncrowned national anthem." (The Cambridge History of India, Vol.IV,
p.608)
"Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's poem Vande Mataram first appeared in his novel
Anandamath in 1882, and soon became the Merseillaise of the nationalist movement
throughout India." (A Book of India, B.N. Pande, p.67)
"Bande Mataram: A song which occurs in Bankim Chatterjee's novel. The song
was quite popular during nationalist agitations in the early part of this
century in Bengal. Subsequently it became a kind of unofficial national
anthem." (Nehru, The first sixty years, Vol.II, p.577)
"Vandemataram, which at the beginning of the 20th century became the anthem
of the Indian nationalist movement, is the motherland personified." (Tilak
and the Struggle for Indian Freedom, p.253)
"Vande Mataram! These are
the magic words which will open the door of his iron safe, break through the
walls of his strong room, and confound the hearts of those who are disloyal to
its call to say Vande Mataram." (Rabindranath Tagore in Glorious Thoughts
of Tagore, p.165)
Therefore, it was the natural
expectation that this great national anthem would continue as the official
national anthem of India. It was used in the Constituent assembly, and was sung
by Smt. Sucheta Kriplani. But soon a dis-cordant note began to be heard. Much to
the surprise of its own members, the Constituent assembly deferred the question
of adopting the national anthem again
and again. Who were behind the controversy and what were their motives? The
following excerpt from Pt. Nehru's statement on this issue may provide some
clue:
"It is unfortunate that some kind of argument
has arisen between VM and Jana. VM is obviously and indisputedly the premier
national song of India, with a great historical tradition and intimately
connected with our struggle for freedom. That position it is bound to retain and
no other song can displace it. It represents the passion and poignancy of that
struggle but perhaps not so much the
culmination of it. In regard to the national anthem tune, it was felt that the
tune was more important than the words, and this tune should be such as to
represent the Indian musical genius as well as to some extent the Western, so
that it might easily be adapted to orchestra and band music, and to playing
abroad. The real significance of the national anthem is perhaps more abroad than
in the home country. Past experience has shown that Janagana tune has been
greatly appreciated and admired abroad...VM with all its very great attraction
and historical background, was not easily suitable for orchastras in foreign
countries.. It seemed therefore that while VM should continue to be the national
song par excellence in India, the national anthem tune should be that of Janaganamana, and the
wording of Janagana be altered suitably to fit in with existing
circumstances." (Glorious Thoughts of Nehru, p.139)
The above rational and criteria for selecting a national anthem coming
from the PM, had shocked the people of India. These ideas of Nehru's were
severly criticised in the press and in other forums universally. The polls
conducted by some organizations on this issue showed that 95% people favored VM
as the national anthem.
"When the
objection was raised to the adoption of VM as the national anthem on the ground
that it was full of idolatry, Aurobindo said Durga to whom it paid homage was
none other than Bharata Mata symbolising Knowledge, Power, Greatness and
Glory." (Resurgent India, p.191)
The charge that VM
cannot be set to the tune to suit band and foreign orchestra was disproved when it was set to
melodious tune by an ace musician Master Krishna Rao, but Nehru ji did not budge. And Dr Rajendra Prasad
who was presiding the Constituent
assembly on 24 January 1950 made the following statement which also became the final decision on
this issue:
"The composition consisting of words
and music known as Janaganamana is the
National Anthem of India, subject to such alterations as the Government
may authorise as occasion arises, and the
song Vande Mataram, which has played a
historic part in the struggle for Indian freedom, shall be honored
equally with Janaganamana and shall
have equal status with it. (Applause) I hope this will satify members."
(Constituent Assembly of India, Vil.XII, 24-1-1950)
"Bankin Chandra composed the song in an inspired moment, Rabindranath sang it by setting a tune to it and it was left to the genius of Aurobindo to interpret the deeper meaning of the song out of which India received the philosophy of new Nationalism."
Here is the entire song. Only first two stanza of this song are considered to be national song. (Did you know that even Jana Gana Mana...is much longer, and that only first two stanzas are recognized as National Anthem) In fact, I find some of the later stanza much more powerful and inspirational. Please note, only translation is by Shree Aurobindo.
| Entire Text of Vande Mataram | |
| Mother, I bow to thee! Rich with thy hurrying streams, bright with orchard gleams, Cool with thy winds of delight, Dark fields waving Mother of might, Mother free. Glory of
moonlight dreams, Who hath
said thou art weak in thy lands Thou art
wisdom, thou art law,
Thou art
Durga, Lady and Queen,
In thy
soul, with jewelled hair |
vande
maataraM sujalaaM suphalaaM malayaja shiitalaaM sasyashyaamalaaM maataraM || shubhrajyotsnaa pulakitayaaminiiM pullakusumita drumadala shobhiniiM suhaasiniiM sumadhura bhaashhiNiiM sukhadaaM varadaaM maataraM || koTi koTi kaNTha kalakalaninaada karaale koTi koTi bhujai.rdhR^itakharakaravaale abalaa keno maa eto bale bahubaladhaariNiiM namaami taariNiiM ripudalavaariNiiM maataraM || tumi vidyaa tumi dharma tumi hR^idi tumi marma tvaM hi praaNaaH shariire baahute tumi maa
shakti tvaM hi durgaa
dashapraharaNadhaariNii namaami kamalaaM amalaaM
atulaaM |
