Highlights
- Kangana Ranaut has responded to Sharmila Tagore's comments on Vande Mataram.
- Tagore said some sections of the song may not align with the beliefs of people who believe in one God.
- Kangana defended the song's imagery as poetry and urged people to move beyond a "Hindu-Muslim mindset".
Kangana Ranaut has reacted to Sharmila Tagore's comments on Vande Mataram, pushing back against the veteran actor's concerns about the religious references in the National Song. Tagore recently spoke about the ongoing debate surrounding the song and said some of its imagery could be difficult for people who follow a single-God belief system. Kangana, however, argued that such references should be understood through the language of art and poetry rather than viewed purely as religious practice.
Kangana Ranaut defends Vande Mataram as art
Sharing a video of Sharmila Tagore's interview on her Instagram Stories, Kangana said she appreciated that the veteran actor had expressed her reservations but was surprised by what she considered a restrictive interpretation of art.
"I appreciate that Sharmila ji has spoken about her reservation on Vande Mataram, but I am shocked as an artist how can her views on art/poetry can be so limiting and contrived," Kangana wrote.
She went on to explain that poetry often relies on metaphors and imaginative comparisons to convey an idea. "In any poetry or song words are metaphors, a poet or artist uses all kinds of imaginations draws unbelievable parallels to bring about the desirable effect," she added, arguing that Vande Mataram should be understood in that context.
Kangana described the song as "the spirit of freedom struggle" and said Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was using the idea of Shakti to inspire the nation. "How can you reduce such a great piece of art to mere religious practice," she asked.
'Please come out of Hindu-Muslim mindset'
Kangana further referenced Swami Vivekananda while explaining her interpretation of Shakti. Referring to Vivekananda's call for young people to possess immense strength, she wrote, "Vivekananda famously said I need youth who are made of iron, bones of steel and veins in which runs thunderbolt, he was not giving weather forecast, he was simply demanding Shakti to rise."
She then directly addressed the religious dimension of the debate, writing, "Please come out of Hindu Muslim mindset even if we believe in one God doctors also call power Shakti, let's embrace each other like our own." Kangana concluded the message with a personal expression of affection for Tagore, adding, "I absolutely love you and don't mind a crushing hug like you always give me."
What Sharmila Tagore said about the National Song
Tagore had explained her position while speaking to IANS, saying that the issue was particularly relevant for people whose religious beliefs centre on a single God. "My point of view is that there are many religious people who believe in one single God, not many Gods. In 'Vande Mataram', there is a stanza which says that many Gods are mentioned in 'Vande Mataram'," she said.
Elaborating on her concern, Tagore pointed to the references to Kali and Durga in the song. "It is difficult for those who believe in one religion to say, 'Vande Kali, Vande Durga'," she said. At the same time, she clarified that she viewed the first two stanzas differently, saying, "Therefore, if we take all the religious people in India together, the first two stanzas are very good."
The two actors have therefore approached the debate from different perspectives. While Tagore has raised questions about how the song's religious imagery may be received by people with monotheistic beliefs, Kangana has argued that those references should be understood as artistic metaphor rather than religious instruction.
