Singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan on Tuesday, October 24, showered his appreciation on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) during their annual Vijayadashami Utsav event in Nagpur, Maharashtra, for “protecting the culture and traditions” of India and preserving the ideology of Akhand Bharat (undivided Bharat). The Padma Shri awardee, who was the chief guest, sought blessings from the RSS and expressed his appreciation for their contribution to the Sangh’s contribution to the country.
“What can I say on it? I only salute you. The contribution of the RSS is greater than anyone in preserving our ideology of ‘Akhand Bharat,’ our traditions, our culture,” he said. He further said that he is fortunate to have received a personal invitation from the Sangh for the annual event. Shankar Mahadevan also visited the memorial of RSS founde KB Hedgewar.
At the event which marked the 98th foundation day of RSS, the Sangh’s chief Mohan Bhagwat, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari were present alongside Shankar Mahadevan.
Shankar Mahadevan compared RSS to musical notes that solve the country's porblems. "Any tune (dhun) has Sargam (musical notes) just like computers have binary codes behind them. Similarly, If our country is like a song, then swayamsevaks are like the musical notes behind it attending to various problems and challenges," he said.
In his annual address, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat voiced his concerns against what he referred to as “cultural Marxism”, denouncing it as a divisive and deceitful force.
Read: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat attacks ‘cultural Marxists’ in his annual address
It is to be noted that Shankar Mahadevan is expected to compose ‘Namaste Sada Vatsale Matrubhumi’- the anthem for the RSS. He told Times of India that Mohan Bhagwat – a musician himself – is keen on having the marching tune set in an Indian raga to help in taking the Sangh’s anthem to an international audience.
Shankar Mahadevan had previously endorsed a joint statement in 2019, appealing to the people to vote for Modi in the general elections.