In a way Vande Mataram is very fortunate. In the sense that it
has received the divine touch of numerous masters of the Indian
Music, as singers and composers. Its first public performance
was staged at the 12th Congress convention. Audience was simply
delighted to hear the self-composed tune sung by Rabindranath
Tagore. In 1904, the first gramophone record in Rabindranath's
voice came in the market. Meanwhile the agitation against Bengal
started. Anticipating trouble and the ban on the song, it was
timely sent to Paris. A French record company 'Pathe' again published
it. It was a pentograph type of record.
In 1901 during the Congress Vande Mataram was sung by Dakshinarajan
Sen, with his own composition. Yet another name to get associated
with the song was Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar, he was
catching the mood of the poem while singing. His composition
of Vande Mataram was most adored by Mahatma Gandhi. Pandit Paluskar
shined on the Indian political scenario, with a particular incident
associated with Vande Mataram. The year was 1933. He was about
to start the recital of Vande Mataram, as per the usual convention
in the Kakinada Congress. Just when he was about to start the
presiding authority of the Congress, Maulana Ahmed Ali tried to
stop him, supported by his brother Shaukat Ali. 'Since the song
praised Hinduism' according to them, it should not be sung on
this dais was what they said. Reacting very strongly Pandit Paluskar
made them hear that this is a public meeting and not the place
of worship of the Muslim religion. Those who object may very well
leave the convention and abort, Panditji said, and thereafter
rehearsed the full song. It is rather unusual for an artist to
involve himself in the chores of political battle, but this courage
was shown by Pandit Paluskar. He had composed the song in Raga
'Kafi'.
One more composition in the Raga Kafi, which rose to fame, was
composed by another maestro- Pandit Omkarnath Thakur. He was firm
in his opinion and advocated the full recital of Vande Mataram
. He stopped appearing in the Congress convention when by bowing
down to Muslim League demands, the song was split.
Later in 1947, it was Sardar Vallabhabhai Patel, India's iron
man who invited him to sing it on Akashwani (All India Radio),
on the dawn of Independence. And thereby, on the 15th of August
1947, at 6:30 a.m. the country could hear the deep voice of
Pandit Omkarnath Thakur, reciting the unabridged, full version
of India's march song -Vande Mataram in full form. In the studio
Thakur sang it in the standing position.
During 1935 to 1952, many senior music composers composed the
song. This included Keshavrav Bhole-the Marathi stage actor, Vishnupant
Pagnis (sung in Raga Saranga) . But typically noteworthy amongst
them are Master Krishnarao Fulambrikar and V.D. Ambhaikar and
Dilipkumar Roy. Although each one had his own versions, their
greatness lies further in the fact that these are the composers,
who relentlessly tried for the song, to acquire the status of
National Anthem.
V. D. Ambhaikar hailing from Nagpur, was also an active freedom
fighter. In 1926, at the age of 14 he recited his version in front
of Mahatma Gandhi at Nagpur. Subsequently his audience for the
song included Pt. Rajendra Prasad, Vallabhabhai Patel, etc. after
independence Kakasaheb Gadgil a veteran Congress leader, had arranged
for a demonstrating recital of Vande Mataram, sung by Mr. Ambhaikar.
The audience included the members of the committee on constitution,
along with prominent leaders like Acharya Govind Vallabh Pant,
Dr. Pattabhi Sitarammayya, Achraya Dada Dharmadhikari etc. it
also included Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar who appreciated the composition
and told Mr. Ambhaikar, "I would be the first person to buy
your LP record whenever it comes up." Only Acharya Kriplani
was reserved and opined that the final verdict will be given only
by Pandit Nehru. Thereafter the same version was sung by Mogubai
Kardikar- a senior singer of India. The composition starts from,
'Taar Shadja' and is composed in 'Mishra Khambavati' .
Another contributor composer, who tried to influence the leaders,
was Timir Baran Bhattacharya. He composed Vande Mataram in Raga
Durga, which was played later on the British bands. The composition
resembles to that of a 'march song' and the same was broadcasted
from Singapore radio by Netaji Bose, after he formed Azad Hind
Sena. Another composition which has retained it's popularity
is the one composed by the great music director, Hemantkumar. It
was prepared for the movie 'Anandmath' released by Filmistan in
1952. It meticulously combines, Malakansa, Bhairavi etc. resembling
rather an inspirational song for the warriors.
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Talking of music composers who relentlessly tried a status of
National Anthem, another prominent personality should be remembered-
Dilipkumar Roy. While strongly advocating such a status, he presented
his composition on 29th August 1927, in front of Mahatma
Gandhi and earned his praise. He has two recordings to his
credit. One which he himself has sung resembles the folk music
of Bengal and Assam-folklore of the mountain ranges. Other record
has a duet sung with a senior South Indian Singer, M.S.Subbalaxmi,
combining notes from Raga Bilawal, Bageshwari and certain other
Ragas in the Karnatak style.
Last in the line but never the least comes the contribution of
Master Krishnarao Fulambrikar. History will remember him
as the lone warrior, the solo performer in the battle of Vande
Mataram to achieve status of National Anthem. It is an unique
example how the Indian academic city of Pune can produce determined
individuals who could pursue a single aim, single handedly.
As the vocalist actor during 1935 Master Krishnarao had
earned best of the popularity. He was one of the trusted team
members of Prabhat Studios. His composition in the Raga Zinzoti
was suitable to be rehearsed even by a large gathering together.
Attempts were on for it's broadcast from All India Radio. However,
strangely enough, all singing of Vande Mataram was banned from
AIR. After enough patient waiting during one of his recitals of
Indian Classical Music, he adjoined certain notes in Mishra Zinzoti
and suddenly reverted back to Vande Mataram's tune. Station director
Mr. Z.A. Bukhari immediately cut off the power supply of Krishnarao's
microphone. This event was criticized enough in the next day's
paper and all over India. As a mark of protest Master Krishnarao
banned all his recitals from Radio. Until it was in 1947, an auspicious
day of Chaitra Padawa, he sang the full version of Vande Mataram
in the presence of the same station director Bukhari, on a special
request from Vallabhbhai Patel, again.
However he was so inspired to have Vande Mataram as the anthem,
he left no stone unturned. Those days composers, musicians beyond
a point never involved themselves in controversies or political
shadow downs. It was only Krishnarao Fulambrikar's unadulterated
faith, which resulted in logical and persistent efforts. To prove
that a large public gathering can sing it together he sang
it by a large audience of 50,000 people in Pune. On
the 25th August 1948, Pandit Nehru expressed his reservations
about the song in parliament- about the song's worthiness as a
march song and a difficulty, which could be faced by foreign band
troops in playing it. Added to it were the praises for Jana Gana
Mana.
This irked Mr. Fulambrikar. He telegraphed the Prime Minister
about hearing him at least once. Till Nehru's answer came Master
Krishnarao practiced the steps, of the marching at the police
grounds along with the policemen, while the composition was being
played. This ascertained the fact that it can be best of the 'march
songs.' Also to counter the argument, that the foreign band troops
should easily be able to play it, he consulted the chief of the
British Police Band-Mr.C.R.Gardner. He in turn with the help of
British Naval Band Chief, Stanely Bills, rehearsed it on the brass
instruments on the British Naval Band. Both the foreigners immediately
gave their positive opinions that it was suitable to be played
on the 'foreign' instruments and certified this opinion in writing.
All these evidences eventually were presented by Master Krishnarao
in front of the members of the constitutional committee, and of
course Pandit Nehru. He had, infact, 3 different recordings for
this as evidence. One version as a march song, other version as
a general welcome for any leader and the third as his composition
for it to be the National Anthem. So also, he handed over the
letters by the chief of the British Police and Naval Band. Even
Pandit Nehru could not help admiring this effort. He affectionately
put his hand on Master Krishnarao's shoulder and declared that
here is a composer who will be regarded as the 'march song' composer
of Independent India. Even then, in his mind, he was fully convinced
about Jana Gana Mana.
On 17th January 1950, in a press conference, Master Krishnarao
demonstrated his versions. Many of the members of Parliament applauded
it. However on 24th January 1950 the committee for constitution,
in a totally one sided verdict declared (by Dr. Rajendra Prasad)
Jana Gana Mana as the official National Anthem and Vande Mataram
to enjoy the status of 'equal' to anthem but a 'National Song.'Well,for
Master Krishnarao not the entire efforts were in vain. Had he
not attempted till this level, even the status of National Song
for Vande Mataram would be distinct, nearing to impossible. So
his attempts are worthy of the highest praise.
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