| January 26, 1950 was set
for the Indian Republic. The national anthem was
to be chosen before the election of the
President. The objection advanced Vandemataram
was that unlike Janaganamana it did not suit band
music, but Master Krishna Rao had solved the
difficulty. He had given a demonstration before
the members of the Constituent Assembly who had
to decide the issue. 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.
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