National Anthem Music

National Anthem Music

All of us have heard and sung our National Anthem "jana gana mana" at one time or other. But little do we know that the music accompanying it was originally composed as early as in 1943. It was done by Capt.Ram Singh on the request of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose for the Indian National Army (INA) to be played at the Independence Day celebrations of the country, which Netaji believed was just a matter of time.

Netaji wanted zeal and vigour in the music, to suit a chorous and to match the spirit of the country's independence and the whole task had come as a challenge to Capt. Ram Singh. It was to become the music for the song that later became the National Anthem. Capt. Singh spent sleepless nights to get the right tenor to match the military zest. He focussed attention on the last line "Jai Hay, Jai Hay, Jay Hay" and it was here he could put in that extra pitch to build up the right cresendo. Once the decision was made, Capt. Singh's fingers moved on the keys of his piano until he got just the right note.

The excercise was then repeated before Capt. Mohan Singh, who was heading the unit and who in turn, informed Netaji over the telephone. "Ask Ram Singh to practice and polish the song more" was Netaji's reply. What we hear today is that polished music for our beloved Anthem. Jai Hind!