Ghosh Shivir : In Tune with Times

The process that started in the year 2007 has led to change the tunes and instruments that would be used and played in the route march of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). In 2007, some instruments—already being used in Pune and Nagpur—attracted the attention of the participants in the first Akhil Bharatiya Ghosh Shivir held in Delhi. Therefore, it was decided to use them at national level.

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The prime reason of this change was that with growing presence RSS programmes are held with large numbers. The flute, which is prominently used in the Ghosh had limitations of sound and length of the tunes. So, the revival in instruments and tunes was decided. In order to materialise the change a trainer’s training camp was organised in Gwalior in 2008 in which 306 selected Ghosh Vadaks were imparted training. Those trained Shikshaks then imparted training to the Ghosh Vadaks in their respective Prants. After the training about 5000 names of the Ghosh Vadaks were identified to take part in the second Akhil Bharatiya Shrung Ghosh Shivir in Bengaluru. Finally, 2185 of them participated in the Shivir organised from January 7 to 10 at the campus of Reva University. Ghosh Vadaks from 41 Prants and one from Nepal participated in the four-day Shivir. The instruments which were used included Toorya, Sharad, Swarad, Naganga, Gomukh, Mahashankh, etc.

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According to Akhil Bharaitya Ghosh Pramukh Shri Jagdish Prasad, the two new tunes of Shankh—Thathagat and Vardhman—were introduced during the Shivir. The senior Ghosh Vadkas who were present in the Shivir included Shri Raja Bhugaokar from Nagpur, Shri Ashok Davande from Nagpur, Shri Ravi Bokil from Kolhapur, Shri Narendra Parchure from Thane, Shri Konga Suryanarayan from Telangana, Shri Sitaramaiah from Andhra Pradesh, Shri Haribhau Vajhe from Karnataka, Shri Anant Srinivas from Karnataka, Shri Shankarappa from Karnataka and Shri PR Krishnamurthy from Karnataka. The youngest four year old Ghosh Vadak was from Delhi.
The Prominent tunes, which were played during the Shivir, included Raag Shivranjani, Karnataki, Govardhan based on Durga, Raag Tilank, Keshav based on Raag Bhairavi, Shripaad based on Maand, Raag Hansdhwani, song—Janani Janmabhoomi Swarg Se Mahan Hai, Veer Savarkar’s song ‘Jyostute’ and ‘Vandemataram’. While playing the tunes the Ghosh Vadaks formed different patterns including Swastik, Dwimandal, Baan and Nakshatra.
Referring to the introduction of new tunes and instruments in the Ghosh Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat said, “There are some modifications everywhere. Sangeet Swar, Vadya is not meant for some country. How to bring it to way that we use it for a better purpose. We have it as our parampara. Rana Sangeet was there in our past. We have added our Bharatiya soul in it. We have called Saxophone as Naganga, Clarionet as Swarad, Euphonium as Gomukh and Trumpet as Turya. For us those names remain and we add our parampara to it. This is because it is our value. There are times when military has used our tunes in the past. We have our own Rana Sangeet.”
Eminent scientist Dr K Radha-krishnan who was chief guest at the concluding ceremony, said the science and technology should address complex and larger issues of relevance with a focus in purpose. It is significant to ensure convergence and linkages between all players of value chain so that the benefits reach the ultimate end user in the society. Effective management with emerging technologies, worldwide, will require new directions and innovative solutions. “Let me conclude with a message to young generation. It is well stated that our human capital especially demographic dividend, holds the key to leap forward or even to leap-frog or to make impossible in to possible. “knowing” and “doing” are important. But “being” what you are makes a difference in life. Our conviction about our life and its purpose and our value system, would help us to perform our duty to this motherland and the humanity as nishkama karma. Each one of us can make a difference for the country and each one of us should strive to leave a legacy when you leave this world,” he said.
Earlier on January 7, RSS Akhil Bharatiya Kutumba Prabodhan Pramukh Shri S Ramanna inaugurated the Shivir. RSS Akhil Bharatiya Sharirik Pramukh Shri Sunil Kulkarni, Kshetra Sanghachalak Shri V Nagaraj, Akhil Bharatiya Sah Bauddhik Pramukh Shri Mukunda CR, Akhil Bharatiya Sah Sharirik Pramukh Shri Jagdish Prasad who is also Ghosh Pramukh, Akhil Bharatiya Sah Vyavastha Pramukh Shri Anil Oak and Akhil Bharatiya Sah Sewa Pramukh Shri Ajit Prasad Mohpatra, were present.    Pramod Kumar (With inputs from VSK Karnataka)