Sir,
Ref. is invited to Mr Shiban Khaibri’s , as usual, nicely argued article titled “We want Aazadi” published in this paper dated 20th Aug 2017.
It may be noted that Tagore had sung his Bengali song “Jana Ghana Mana” ( penned by him way back in 1905 ) – the first time in a public gathering on the second day of Calcutta session of Indian National Congress in 1911 ( 27th December ). As is clear from the lyrics of the song , the song was not in praise of the then visiting british monarch King George V.
The song eulogizing the visiting King was a different one – “Badshah Hamara” – wittern in Hindi by Rambhuj Chaudhary , another participant in the same session of INC.
But, unfortunately, most of the next day’s newspapers , especially British media attributed the Hindi song to Tagore..Hence the confusion, though, some newspapers like ‘Amrita Bazar Patrika’ and ‘The Bengali’ (dated 28 December 1911) had distinctly reported the events.
INC’s report of this session mentions :
“…On the first day of 28th annual session of the Congress, proceedings started after singing Vande Mataram. On the second day the work began after singing a patriotic song by Babu Ravindranath Tagore. Messages from well wishers were then read and a resolution was passed expressing loyalty to King George V. Afterwards the song composed for welcoming King George V and Queen Mary was sung…”
Tagore’s “Jana Ghana Mana” was formally adopted as India’s National Anthem, by Constituent Assembly, three years after India gaining Independence – on 24th January 1950. Till then, ‘Vande Mataram’ – the national song of India was in constant use.
The present controversy surrounding the ‘Vande Mataram’ , sung in praise of Mother India , is only political in nature ; being employed, as a tactic, by detractors of PM Modi in general and by forces inimical to the larger interests of our great country – “That is Bharat” – in particular .
Yours etc….
Ramesh Manvati
Sanchar Vihar, Noida
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