As we celebrate India’s 77th Independence Day, it’s an auspicious moment to reflect on the symbols that represent our identity as a nation. One such symbol is the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, which has been a part of our nation’s consciousness since 1950. However, the debate over whether Vande Mataram, the song that inspired countless freedom fighters, should have been chosen, is going on even today. Let us see why Vande Mataram is more fitting to be India’s national anthem, as we celebrate this milestone in our nation’s history.
Historical Context of Jana Gana Mana and its meaning
Rabindranath Tagore, India’s first Nobel laureate, penned Jana Gana Mana in 1911. The song was first sung at the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress on December 27, 1911. It is believed by many that the song was written to honor King George V, who was paying a visit to India at the time. Many critics of Jana Gana Mana argue that the lyrics were actually meant to welcome the British monarch rather than to celebrate India’s heritage or its people. If we look at the first opening lines of the national anthem, it translates to English as –
“Thou art the ruler of the minds of all people,
Thy name is the dispenser of India’s destiny.”
So, who is this “Thou” being referred to here?
Supporters of the anthem may argue that the “Bharata Bhagya Vidhata” (Dispenser of India’s Destiny) mentioned in the song is a reference to God or the spirit of the nation, not King George V. However, the timing of the song’s creation and its association with the British monarch have led many to question this. In addition, the fact that Tagore won the Nobel Prize in 1913, just two years after writing the song, points towards the fact that this song could have been actually written to honor the British monarch, who used his influence to get Tagore awarded with the Nobel Prize.
And yes, we cannot deny that the song Jana Gana Mana has served as a unifying anthem for the nation on numerous occasions. Yet, its origins can be seen to be tainted by its association with British rule, making it less suitable as a symbol of India’s freedom, for which millions had to fight and even give up their lives.
The Case for Vande Mataram
Vande Mataram, on the other hand, has a clear patriotic origin. Written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875, the song became a powerful anthem of the Indian independence movement. The phrase “Vande Mataram” translates to “I bow to thee, Motherland,” and the song celebrates the beauty, spirituality, and strength of our nation. Unlike Jana Gana Mana, there is no doubt that Vande Mataram was written with the explicit purpose of inspiring Indians to rise against British colonial rule. In fact, Vande Mataram became so popular that all of our freedom fighters who were jailed and killed during the freedom struggle used it as their slogan.
Vande Mataram was a unifying cry for freedom fighters, from MK Gandhi to Subhas Chandra Bose. The song’s powerful message of devotion to the motherland and its role in uniting people from all walks of life make it a fitting choice for a national anthem.
Addressing Religious Concerns
One of the primary reasons Vande Mataram was not chosen as the national anthem was the concern that its religious symbolism might hurt the feelings of certain communities, particularly Muslims. However, it is crucial to recognize that many Muslim freedom fighters themselves embraced Vande Mataram, and the most well-known among them is Ashfaqulla Khan, a prominent revolutionary of the Hindustan Republic Socialist Association, who had fought and had died for India’s freedom. Ashfaq is known to have sung Vande Mataram with the same fervor as his Hindu counterparts.
And who doesn’t know A.R. Rahman, one of India’s most celebrated musicians who is also a practicing Muslim? Most of us have already heard his composition of a version of Vande Mataram. His rendition was different from the original, and yet it captures the essence of the song’s patriotic spirit and has been embraced by Indians of all backgrounds. This shows us that Vande Mataram has a universal appeal, rather than a religious one, and it transcends all boundaries.
Cultural and Spiritual Significance
As we can see, Vande Mataram is deeply rooted in India’s cultural and spiritual heritage. The song is inspired by the Durga Puja, which symbolizes power and victory over evil, which is why it resonates with many of us, more than Jana Gana Mana.
Conclusion
As India celebrates 77 years of independence, the debate over the national anthem continues to be more relevant than ever. While Jana Gana Mana has served as our national anthem for over seven decades, is it not time that that we reconsider our choice?
The fact that it was even loved and embraced by Muslim freedom fighters like Ashfaqulla Khan shows that Vande Mataram can unite all of us in our love for the motherland. As we look forward to the future, it may be time for all of us to consider whether Vande Mataram should take its rightful place as India’s national anthem.
