One of Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite bhajans ‘Vaishnav Jana To’ written and composed by the 15th century Gujarati poet-composer Narsinh Mehta lays emphasis on the ideals and virtues one has to follow in life. It was a must rendition at the Sabarmati Ashram during the days of Mahatma Gandhi. Ever since, the bhajan became popular, and many illustrious singers from M S Subbulakshmi, Gangubai Hangal, Pundit Jasraj and Lata Mangeshkar have rendered Commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of the Mahatma, a reworked version of the song was composed by Saluru Vasu Rao at the behest of media baron Ch Ramoji Rao for the popular news App Etv Bharat.
“It was a pleasant surprise for me when a call came from Koneru Bapineedu, Vice-President and CEO, Etv about this offer from Ramoji Rao garu. At the time, I was wary of the fact that many great singers and composers have done the job before and I should match their standards,” says Vasu Rao.
Since it is a national project, Vasu Rao decided to sign singers from the north as well. “From the north and east, I preferred folk singers who are popular in their regions, adds Vasu who, from the South recorded the song in the voices S P Balasubrahmanyam representing the Telugu States, Chitra (Kerala), Unnikrishnan (Tamil Nadu) and Vijay Shankar (Karnataka). “The song gave me an opportunity to travel to nine states. And the best part of it was a visit to Sabarmati ashram. In Mumbai, Vaishali Made enjoyed singing the song like it was a movie number. Being basically a bass guitarist, I have used that instrument in the song which she liked. It is interesting to note that each of the singers – Salamath Khan (Rajasthan), Banerjee (Assam), Lokesh Gadhvi (Gujarat), , Haimanti Sukla (Bengal), Shankar Sahani (Punjab), Subash Das (Odissa) and the singers from the south rendered the bhajan with total devotion towards Bapuji. One of the highs of the bhajan was the rendition of the renowned Pundit Channulal Mishra from Varanasi (Utar Pradesh). At 87, his impeccable rendition added lustre to the album. It is interesting that all the singers sang in an equal sruthi (scale) which I had set. Even while recording the song, I knew it would be a hit.”
I have composed ‘Vaishnava Janato’ in raga Misra Kamas retaining the fragrance from the original tune. I have used traditional music instruments from each region. I must mention here that before recording the bhajan in the voices of the chosen singers, I trained the upcoming singers and my troupe members, Ms. Sahiti Chaganti and Sarath Santhosh to sing the song as track singers. I then sent the track to all the twelve singers.”
On October 19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited film luminaries for the ‘Change Within Meet’ to mark the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi. Besides Bapineedu,and Ch. Kiran representing Etv, S.P. Balasubrahmanyam and Vasu Rao were among the invitees.
