RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat, engaged in an in-depth discussion with the music maestro Shankar Mahadevan regarding the musical nuances of the composition of RSS’s prayer. Bhagwat expressed a strong desire for Indian music to gain prominence in composition and was particularly keen on the integration of Indian ragas, emphasising a departure from the Western musical influences that have characterised many marching tunes.
The RSS prayer, known as ‘Namaste Sada Vatsale Matrubhumi,’ was first conceptualised during an all-India meeting in Sindhi, near Wardha. In 1939, the broad outlines of this prayer were outlined. The stanzas of the prayer, written in Sanskrit, are attributed to the teacher Narhari Narayan Bhide. It was first sung by senior RSS functionary Yadavrao Joshi in Pune in the year 1940. Joshi later went on to hold the position of Sah Sahkaryavaha (Additional General Secretary) within the RSS organisation. Comprising 13 stanzas, the prayer holds a special place in RSS events and is a staple at daily shakhas.
This story was originally published in organiser.org. Read the full story here .
