Talk:Vande Mataram
AFAIK Maulan Azad raised the point about the song being offensive. If anyone knows the details of where and when fill them up.
Another reason that is often cited is that VM lacked an official sound. The modern day rendition of the song was done based on a Raga and proposed by Gandhiji after the point of tune was raised. A committee decided that the new tune was not good enough to be played internationally - it was not recognizable in other cultures. While all national anthems have heavy beats and are very strong. VM was feeble. JGM on the other hand has a tune that is mixture of Indian and western music and had wider acclaim.
I wonder if this is true? Besides I wonder if all these details shud be filled in. They would make the article more about controversies. AY 05:04, 24 Mar 2004 (UTC)
- Can't speak to the post-independence discussion of the song as a national anthem. But the pre-independence hullabaloo over the song was deeper. See below.--iFaqeer 22:32, Sep 15, 2004 (UTC)
Muslim Opposition
The Muslim opposition/allergy to the song was not, AFAIK, based on the religious symbology, but on the potrayal of Muslims, which they felt was very, very negative.--iFaqeer 22:30, Sep 15, 2004 (UTC)
- The lyrics, especially as crafted for singing, were bereft of any mention of Muslims. You might be talking about Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's book, the one in which it originally appeared.--LordSuryaofShropshire 22:41, Sep 15, 2004 (UTC)
- No I am not. Vande Mataram is very much part of the national myth of Pakistan as an important symptom of why Pakistan was necessary.--iFaqeer 22:56, Sep 15, 2004 (UTC)
- Well, once again, you haven't met my statement. The lyrics contain nothing irreverent or negative about Muslims or anyone; they speak of Mother India. The phrase "Vande Mataram" was used as a stirring cry for Independence against the British regardless of religion by many across the country. What was upsetting about the lyrics was its use of Hindu philosophy and iconography where Bharat was seen as mata. Lastly, the 'Pakistans necessity was disputed by Muslims and non-Muslims alike even then.--LordSuryaofShropshire 23:01, Sep 15, 2004 (UTC)
- I already know the story better than you can imagine. The point I was making is that the song itself does not 'insult Muslims' per se... Muslims are insulted by the song. The song doesn't speak against Islam, or advocate Hindu India, but it offends the sensibilities of Muslims who view a feminization of and dedication to one's land as violating tawheed. --LordSuryaofShropshire 23:03, Sep 15, 2004 (UTC)
- Again you're not listening to me. :D "irreverent or negative" is not something you can measure with an oscilloscope and certify. I am telling you that there is stuff in the original that Muslims did think (in their opinion; not yours or mine) offensive. I will dig up what I can about it.
- On the dispute over the necessity, that is a whole other can of worms. I am not saying people did or not dispute. I am saying that the ones that do claim it as necessary use this as one of their arguments. Does that make sense?--iFaqeer 23:06, Sep 15, 2004 (UTC)