Why Nehru did not want Vande Mataram as national anthem: ‘Premier song … (but) plaintive, mournful … difficult for foreigners to appreciate’

Summary

The article discusses Jawaharlal Nehru's reservations about adopting 'Vande Mataram' as the national anthem, citing its perceived mournful tone and potential lack of appeal to foreigners. This historical context is relevant for understanding the evolution of national symbols and the perspectives of key historical figures.

Key Points

• The article focuses on Jawaharlal Nehru's views on the national anthem.
• Nehru considered 'Vande Mataram' as the 'premier song'.
• His concerns were about the song's 'plaintive, mournful' nature.
• He believed it might be difficult for foreigners to appreciate.