Vande Mataram

The virulent and shabby debate, no strike that coz it’s not a debate...it is actually just hocus pocus, over our national song is just another reflection of the shambles our leadership is in. I mean there are people dying in the floods, farmers are committing suicide…and the parliament is getting stalled over this? Who cares about national symbols when there is nothing to eat?

But all this has made me curious…to find out more about our national song, to understand its lyrics (which I am guilty of not knowing completely) and its history. Also over the last few years I have come across more and more people saying that “Vande Mataram” should have been selected as our national anthem instead of “Jana Gana Mana”. So I will start with that.

"The question of having a national anthem tune, to be played by orchestras and bands became an urgent one for us immediately after 15th August 1947. It was as important as that of having a national flag. The 'Jana Gana Mana' tune, slightly varied, had been adopted as a national anthem by the Indian National Army in South-East Asia, and had subsequently attained a degree of popularity in India also... I wrote to all the provincial Governors and asked their views about our adopting 'Jana Gana Mana' or any other song as the national anthem. I asked them to consult their Premiers before replying... Every one of these Governors, except one (the Governor of the Central Provinces), signified their approval of 'Jana Gana Mana'. Thereupon the Cabinet considered the matter and came to the decision that provisionally 'Jana Gana Mana' should be used as the tune for the national anthem, till such time as the Constituent Assembly came to a final decision. Instructions were issued accordingly to the provincial governments...

''It is unfortunate that some kind of argument has arisen as between 'Vande Mataram' and 'Jana Gana Mana'. 'Vande Mataram' is obviously and indisputably 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 position 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... It seemed therefore that while 'Vande Mataram' should continue to be the national song par excellence in India, the national anthem tune should be that of 'Jana Gana Mana', the wording of 'Jana Gana Mana' to be suitably altered to fit in with the existing circumstances.
The question has to be considered by the Constituent Assembly, and it is open to that Assembly to decide as it chooses. It may decide on a completely new song or tune, if such is available."

- Prime Minister Nehru to the Constituent Assembly (Legislative) on August 25, 1948

I was surprised when I came across this note because I used to think that the popularity of “Vande Mataram” was greatly exaggerated, but it seems that is not the case. And will anyone explain to me what Panditji meant by "...tune wass more important than words"??????

It seemed that the issue didn’t get resolved so easily and the final word on it was made by the President of the Constituent Assembly, Rajendra Prasad, on January 24, 1950. He said:

“There is one matter which has been pending for discussion, namely, the question of the national anthem. At one time it was thought that the matter might be brought up before the House, and a decision taken by the House by way of a resolution. But it has been felt that, instead of taking a formal decision by means of a resolution, it is better if I make a statement with regard to the national anthem. Accordingly, I make this statement... The composition consisting of the words and music known as 'Jana Gana Mana' is the national anthem of India, subject to such alterations in the words as the Government may authorize as occasion arises; and the song 'Vande Mataram', which has played a historic part in the struggle for Indian freedom, shall be honoured equally with Jana Gana Mana and shall have equal status with it. (Applause) I hope that will satisfy the Members.”

So the two songs were supposed to have equal status. Now on to why the Muslims are uncomfortable with the song and the probable reason the song didn’t end up being our national anthem. Maybe in the next post....