India Celebrates 150 Years of the National Song Vande Mataram

On 7 November 2025, India celebrated 150 years of its National Song, Vande Mataram — a hymn that has inspired generations with its message of devotion, unity, and patriotism. Commemorative events were held across India and abroad to mark this historic cultural occasion. The national-level inaugural programme took place at Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi.

Origins and Literary Legacy

• Vande Mataram was composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1875.
• It was first published on November 7, 1875 in the literary journal Bangadarshan.
• Later, it was incorporated into Chatterjee’s celebrated novel Anandamath (1882) — a patriotic work depicting monks (Sanyasins) who dedicate their lives to the motherland.

Musical and Political Significance

• The song was first sung by Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 Indian National Congress session in Calcutta.
• It became a rallying cry during the Swadeshi and anti-partition movements in Bengal.
• The slogan “Vande Mataram” was first raised publicly on August 7, 1905, by thousands of students in Kolkata, symbolizing the spirit of national resistance.

Role in India’s Freedom Movement

• In August 1906, an English daily titled Bande Mataram was launched under the editorship of Bipin Chandra Pal, with Sri Aurobindo later joining as joint editor.
• The song’s influence extended beyond India’s borders — in 1907, Madam Bhikaji Cama unfurled the tricolor flag in Berlin inscribed with the words Vande Mataram.

Official Recognition

• On 24 January 1950, the Constituent Assembly of India officially recognized Vande Mataram as the National Song, honoring it alongside Jana Gana Mana, the National Anthem.

About Bankim Chandra Chatterjee (1838–1894)

• One of the most influential literary figures of 19th-century Bengal.
• His works — including Durgeshnandini (1865), Kapalkundala (1866), Anandamath (1882), and Devi Chaudhurani (1884) — reflect the social, moral, and cultural awakening of a colonized India seeking national identity.

Enduring Legacy

• Vande Mataram remains a symbol of India’s unity, spiritual strength, and patriotic fervor, continuing to inspire citizens 150 years after its creation.

Source: PIB