The precise origins of the song are not entirely clear.[4] It is believed to have been either written byTulsidas[5] (or based on his workRamcharitmanas)[6] or based on a 17th-century sung-prayer by theMarathi saint-poetRamdas.[7][8]
It is also claimed to have been taken fromNama Ramayana (orSri Nama Ramayanam), attributed to Lakshmanacharya.[9][10]Nama Ramayana is a devotional song in Sanskrit,[11][12] which narrates theRamayana through the chanting of the many names of Rama.[13] It has 108 verses, commencing with "Shuddha Brahma Paratpara Rama" and each of its lines ending with 'Rama'[14][15][16]— only some versions contain the verse "Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram",[17] while others like the rendition byM. S. Subbulakshmi do not.[18][19][20]
Anthony Parel writes inGandhi's Philosophy and the Quest for Harmony,[21]
[T]he origin of Ramdhun is shrouded in legend. According to the legend that he preferred it was composed by the great Hindu poet Tulsidas (1532-1623). While on a pilgrimage visiting the Vishnu temple of Dakore, Northern India, Tulsidas was moved to bargain with Vishnu. Until Vishnu revealed himself as Rama he would not bow his head in prayer. His wish was promptly granted: Rama appeared in his mind with his wife Sita, and three of their devotees. Hence, explains Gandhi, "Ramdhun, meaning intoxication with God [Ram]
Gandhi's version
There have been many versions of the Ramdhun, and the version that Mahatma Gandhi used had an "ecumenical flavour" to it.[22]
Hindu-Muslim unity
Gandhi modified the original bhajan, adding that theIshwar of the Hindus and theAllah of the Muslims were one and the same,[23] to make the song more secular-looking and to spread the message of reconciliation between Hindus and Muslims.[24]
The song was extensively used to project a secular and composite vision of Indian society— it was sung during the1930 Salt March.[25] AfterGandhi's return from Noakhali, he replaced the refrainBhaj man pyare Sitaram byBhaj man pyare Rama Rahim, bhaj man pyare Krishna Karim, to better reflect the desired Hindu-Muslim unity.[26]
Criticism and objection
Some Hindus and Muslims have criticised the changes Gandhi made in his version. Muslims resented it when Gandhi started reciting the bhajan because he had put Allah on par with Ram.[27] Hindus have objected to the "distortion" of the Hindu bhajan due to the addition of Islamic elements in it.[28][29]Srila Prabhupada was not interested in this version of the Ram Dhun because it had been popularized by Gandhi— who had deviated from the original Dhun, to appease and unite Hindus and Muslims and to gain support of the Indian population, and it was not for pure devotional service.[30]
In September 2022,PDP chiefMehbooba Mufti claimed thatBJP was pushing itsHindutva agenda by forcing Muslim children inKashmir to sing bhajans in schools, after theGovernment of India had issued a directive for students to recite an "all faith prayer --Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram.. Ishwar Allah tero naam." as a part of a series of activities taking place to mark the 153rd birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.[31] WhileNational Conference chiefFarooq Abdullah rejected Mufti's claims,[32] Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema, a conglomerate of religious and social organisations in Kashmir, urged the government and education department to stop practices like 'singing of bhajans and Surya Namaskars' in schools, as they "hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims" and "undermine the Muslim identity of Kashmir".[33] FormerPermanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations,Maleeha Lodhi, too called it an "assault on Kashmiri culture and identity".[34]
In December 2024, in an event organised inPatna,Bihar by BJP to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of formerPrime Minister,Atal Bihari Vajpayee, when folk singer Devi sang the line "Ishwar Allah tero naam" during her rendition of Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram, protests erupted among a section of the audience. She was asked to apologize, and formerUnion minister,Ashwini Kumar Choubey, then took the microphone from her and shouted ‘Jai Shri Ram’ to try to pacify the crowd. FormerMPShahnawaz Hussain, who was also present in the event, called the disruption “the height of intolerance”.[35][36][37]
In December 2011, three elementary schools inGreendale, Wisconsin, had planned to include the song in their seasonal concerts. After many parents complained, the school district ultimately removed the song due to its religious nature, as it made reference to Sita, Rama, God, and Allah.[38]
Pete Seeger included "Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram" on his album "Strangers and Cousins" (1964)[48] and performed it in Episode 10 of his television seriesRainbow Quest.[49]
^Tattvālokah. Vol. 23. Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Educational Trust. 2000. p. 38.The fairly well-knownRamanama ramayanam -- Suddha - Brahma- Paratpara - Ram-- also deserves a men- tion. It traverses all the cantos of theValmiki Ramayana, including theUttarakanda, in 108 lines, all of which end with theRamanama.
^Thapar, Romesh (1998).Seminar.Rarely do they bother to point to his innovation of addingIshwar Allah Tero Naam to the Tulsidas Ram dhunRaghupati Raghav Raja Ram.
^"Purab aur Pachhim | Indian Cinema - The University of Iowa".indiancinema.sites.uiowa.edu.There is also Francis, a French hippie pal of Orphan, who sacrifices his life to save Bharat in a club brawl and then dies requesting, "Pour l'amour de Dieu....votre chanson" (i.e., the Gandhian anthem Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram), while cradled in Bharat and Orphan's arms in an amazing intercultural pieta.
^Indian Horizons. Indian Council for Cultural Relations. 2008. p. 55....band of boisterous hippies who energetically throw themselves into singing, "Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram." The re-working of one of Gandhi's favourite hymn is effected through wit, humour, irony and even irreverence.
