Vande Mataram 150 Years Celebration

The Prime Minister of India will inaugurate the year-long commemoration of 150 years of the National Song “Vande Mataram” in New Delhi.

About Vande Mataram

• Authorship: “Vande Mataram” was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in a blend of Sanskrit and Bengali.

• Publication: It was first featured in his novel Anandamath in 1882, with the tune composed by Yadunath Bhattacharya.

• Significance: The song became a symbol of patriotism during India’s freedom struggle and continues to inspire national pride.

Historical Background

• Initially composed independently, “Vande Mataram” was later included in Anandamath.

• First Public Performance: Rabindranath Tagore first sang it at the 1896 Congress Session in Calcutta.

• Political Slogan: The phrase “Vande Mataram” was first used as a political slogan on 7 August 1905.

• International Symbolism: In 1907, Madam Bhikaji Cama raised the tricolour flag for the first time outside India in Stuttgart, Germany, with the words Vande Mataram inscribed on it.

• National Recognition: On 24 January 1950, the Constituent Assembly adopted Vande Mataram as the National Song of India.

Key Points

• Reverence: The National Song is held in equal respect to the National Anthem, though it is not mandatory to sing it on official occasions.

• Cultural Importance: It symbolizes India’s freedom struggle, patriotism, and national unity.