In Service of his Country
Deeply influenced by the great nationalist, social reformer and freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak, Master Krishna was determined to serve the cause of patriotism and nationalism through his music. One of his principal aims was to make the song Vande Mataram, in praise of Mother India, the national anthem of independent India. Master Krishna often publicly acknowledged that the great Lokmanya Tilak was the main source of inspiration for all his struggle towards independence.
'Giving Vande Mataram his own tune'
In 1934, he joined Prabhat Film Company in Pune as the music director for the film 'Dharmatma'. With the consent of film director V. Shantaram, who was one of the partners of Prabhat Film Company at the time, Master had begun creative explorations at Prabhat's music studio, to come up with a fitting tune for Vande Mataram, as a national anthem. He set it to popular raags like Bhup, Pahadi, trying out these experiments with the singers and orchestra of Prabhat. He gave a lot of artistic and emotional thought to this song for several days, and finally set it in Raag Jhinjhoti, usually sung in Mandra and Madhya Saptaka (low and middle octaves), so that it can be easily sung by men and women of all ages and even small children as a group. The record of the song Vande Mataram sung and composed by Master Krishna was first played as the national anthem of pre-independence India at the Berlin Olympics in the year 1936.
As a classical singer, along with classical compositions Master Krishna often used to sing some Natyageets at his musical concerts from then popular stage plays, improvising, and adding new taans and other fresh nuance. Natyageets like Kareen Yadumani Sadna, Lalana Mana and film songs like Radhika Chatur Bole, Mann Papi Bhula etc. would be rendered on stage with great virtuosity as well as variations. He would also present devotional songs like Parabrahma Nishkam To Ha a little differently each time, adding embellishments to the original tune. However, when it came to ‘Vande Mataram ’, he would sing it in the same way, without taking any kind of artistic liberties, at the end of his concerts, to give it its due weightage as a potential national anthem. Even when India was not yet independent, he would bravely perform Vande Mataram in front of the audiences from different regions and religions, singing each verse in full, for its true significance to be communicated to people.
'First Vande Mataram Day'
Although India was still ruled by the British at the time, in a bold move, the first ever Vande Mataram Day was celebrated in the year 1937 at the Tilak Smarak Mandir in Pune in the presence of great leaders like Veer Savarkar and Senapati Bapat. On the initiative of G.V.Ketkar, Lokmanya Tilak’s grandson, freedom fighter Madam Cama's original Vande Mataram flag was brought to Tilak Smarak Mandir and unfurled with great pomp and ceremony. At that time, Master Krishnarao sang all the verses of the Vande Mataram version that he had composed in Mishra Jhinjhoti. He was felicitated by prominent leaders present, like advocate L. B. Bhopatkar and Veer Savarkar. A detailed article on this ceremony was published in Dainik Kesari.
Freedom fighter Sarojini Devi Naidu would fondly refer to Master Krishna as 'Vande Mataramwale Master Krishnarao' in her speeches and written letters. She felicitated him in 1941 at St. Xavier's College, Bombay, for his continuous efforts to propagate and popularize Vande Mataram. She then honoured him with the title 'Leader of Singers'. Also, at the historic ‘Quit India’ movement session held on August 8, 1942 at the Gowalia Tank in Mumbai, it was Master Krishna who was chosen to sing full version of Vande Mataram in his own tune in front of a big crowd gathered at the place.
'Boycotting Radio'
In keeping with his patriotic beliefs, Master Krishnarao used to end his music concerts by singing Vande Mataram to the tune that he had composed. However, at that time, public singing of Vande Mataram had been banned by the British Government in India. During one of his recitals on the government-controlled radio, Master Krishna began to sing it, after the closing notes of a popular Natyageet or stage song. On hearing the start of the word vande, the Station Director Mr. Bukhari immediately cut off the power switch. Following this incident, Master Krishna boycotted radio altogether, even though performing on Radio was the main means of livelihood for musicians and provided them with a good reach to audiences. The incident of cutting short Master Krishna’s performance was strongly condemned by all major newspapers in India. Later, when Indian independence was in sight, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel intervened and advised the administrative authority to allow Master to sing this song on radio. Soon afterwards, Master Krishna was invited to sing Vande Mataram on radio on the occasion of Gudi Padwa in 1947. After this, he resumed his musical career on radio. Later, he was invited to be the official composer, singer and consultant of the newly started Pune Akashvani.
'The National Anthem Debate'
Master Krishna’s robust push to have his beloved Vande Mataram declared as the National Anthem, was truly commendable. What should be the national anthem of independent India? This question was not resolved even on the eve of India's Independence. Hence, both Jana Gana Mana and Vande Mataram were sung on the night of 14 August 1947. In December 1947, the work of the Constitution Committee began. At that time, Master Krishna telegraphed the then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in Delhi, urging him to “listen to my opinion as a musicologist on Vande Mataram”. Pt. Nehru responded immediately. He sent an invitation to Master to perform in Delhi in front of the assembly members. Master went to Delhi with recordings of two versions – one sung by a chorus of voices and one rendered by an instrumental orchestra. He presented these and also sang Vande Mataram himself, to an august assembly of listeners: Pt. Nehru, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Sardar Patel, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Kakasaheb Gadgil, G.W. Mavalankar, J. B. Kripalani, C. Rajagopalachari, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, B.N. Rao, Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, Maulana Azad and other members of the Constituent Assembly. Pt. Nehru suggested that the tune should be one that could be easily played by orchestras in the United Nations and other countries when the need arose. In response, Master Krishna met Mr.C.R. Gardner, the british head of the police band in Mumbai. They worked closely together to adapt the original composition in raag Mishra Jhinjhoti in such a way that it could be played by the band in western style, and made printed notations for musicians anywhere to be able to follow. Three separate recordings of this version of Vande Mataram were made, to be presented in the Parliament. The british conductor of the Naval Band, Mr. Stanley Hills, also had Master's composition played on the brass band in Western style. Master himself borne all the costs and expenses for these recordings, as well as for printing the band notation, and the text of Vande Mataram as the proposed national anthem. With these materials and some accompanying musicians, Master returned to Delhi. Here they performed Vande Mataram in front of the Constitutional Assembly members. They also presented the audio recordings of 1 minute 5 seconds as well as a 20 second version to be played during flag hoisting.
The tune of Vande Mataram composed by Master had, from the beginning, received strong support from many political leaders, activists, artists and common citizens. This move was publicly supported in speech and writing by the Master's paratpar guru Sangeetsamrat Ustad Alladiya Khansaheb. Further, an illustrious singer Ustad Faiyaz Khansaheb also gave his support in writing.
Support had also come from the well-to-do sections of society, for Master’s campaign to promote Vande Mataram as the national anthem. It is worth noting that in spite of this support, Master Krishnarao had asked no one for funds, and had undertaken all this hard work at his own considerable expense, as it was for his country. He had poured his formidable musical skill, training and intellect into the process. However, while so many of his musical efforts, experiments and innovations had borne fruit, Vande Mataram was rejected as the national anthem of independent India by the rulers of the time. It was Jan Gana Mana that was declared the national anthem. Perhaps the rulers wanted to avoid any controversy over this in our newly-formed nation. Nevertheless, Master’s commitment and hard work did not go to waste, as President Dr. Rajendra Prasad announced that Vande Mataram will be recognized as the national song (Rashtriy geet) and will be accorded the same honour as the national anthem. Although Master Krishna was, naturally, disappointed, he continued to promote Vande Mataram throughout his life. He sang and taught Vande Mataram to the students of various schools and institutions. An audio recording of his Vande Mataram was regularly played in schools and colleges in Maharashtra for many years. Also, various political, social and private organizations used to invite him to perform the full version live at special events.
'A Gregarious and Friendly Performer'
Master Krishnarao was a staunch supporter of secularism of the Indian Congress and personally adopted the principle of 'Sarva Dharma Sambhav' (Equal Respect for All Religions) in his life. Being from a family of learned Brahmins who recited the Vedas, he was deeply religious and spiritual, but not narrow minded or parochial at all. He valued an individual’s qualities above all else. Hence, there were plenty of talented and knowledgeable people of different religions and sects visiting his residence. He had a strong work ethic and put all his weight behind anything that he believed in. This was why almost all parties supported him over his stand on Vande Mataram. With his pleasant and easy-going personality, Master Krishna was well-liked in all spheres. In keeping with his large-hearted nature, he held absolutely no grudge against Pt. Nehru when Vande Mataram was not declared the National Anthem. He went out of his way to dedicate his book of patriotic songs (along with notations) to Pt. Nehru as the first Prime Minister of independent India. Panditji had honoured him with the title of the country’s prime musician. While, no doubt, Master Krishnarao was hurt and disappointed at Jana Gana Mana being declared the National Anthem over Vande Mataram, without the consensus of the Constituent Assembly, he did not indulge in bitterness, and continued to work tirelessly to propagate and popularize Vande Mataram, the song so close to his heart. In this, he was supported actively by many of his fans, disciples, freedom fighters and leaders. In 1953, Master was selected by the Indian government as a leader of the cultural delegation to China to present and showcase Indian arts and culture. During this tour, all the participants, along with Master Krishna, used to sing his version of Vande Mataram at the beginning of every presentation in front of vast audience.
Sangeetkalanidhi Master Krishnarao's name will forever remain up there among the artists who served their nation through their art with great pride.Talking about Master’s brilliant work, P. L. Deshpande fittingly declared at a public event to felicitate Master on his 60th birthday: "Looking at the hard work put in by Master for Vande Mataram, I want to hail him with the salutation: 'Vande Masteram'!"
The year 2022 is the Diamond Jubilee Year of Indian Independence. Also, this year marks the 125th birth anniversary of the musical genius - Master Krishnarao. We laud and celebrate this multi-faceted artist - Indian classical singer and composer, stage and film actor and music director who won the hearts of music lovers, leaders, freedom fighters, disciples and the common man. This website is dedicated to him so that current and future generations can get to know diverse aspects of his music and life.