\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tEditorial<\/a><\/span><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t150 YEARS OF VANDE MATARAM<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\tBy statetimes_editor<\/b><\/span>\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\tLast updated Dec 18, 2025<\/b><\/time><\/span>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/i> 0<\/b><\/a><\/i> 103<\/b><\/span>\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\tShare<\/b>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\nSAMRIDHI SAJOTRA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nVande Mataram translates to “Mother, I Bow to Thee”. Composed by Shri Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay (also known as Bankim Chandra Chatterjee), this song has become an integral part of India’s national identity and civilisational consciousness. From being a poetic composition, to becoming the song of resistance against the colonial rule during the freedom struggle, to adoption as the National Song of India; this immortal work of literature has witnessed the rise of India, that is Bharat, to its present glory; from being a colony of the British state to becoming a Sovereign Democratic Republic. And 07 November 2025, marked the 150thanniversary of India’s National Song, VANDE MATARAM.<\/p>\n\n\n\nItwas first published in the Bengali monthly literary journal, ‘Bangadarshan’ on 7 November 1875 and later was included by Shri Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in his prominent novel, ‘Ananda Math’, published in 1882. Before being published as a book, ‘Ananda Math’ was serialised in ‘Bangadarshan’ and the song ‘Vande Mataram’appeared as standalone composition in the March-April 1881 issue of this magazine. It was set to music by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore.<\/p>\n\n\n\nShri Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was a distinguished poet, novelist, essayist and one of the most eminent personalities of 19th century Bengal. ‘Ananda Math’ is one of his most notable works. It is regarded as a primary work of literature to understand Indian Nationalism. Inthis book,he establishes the theme of “religion of patriotism”. The plot revolves around a group of Sanyasinsknown as Santanas, meaning children, who dedicate their lives to the cause of their motherland, to bring back her pristine glory.Their complete devotion is to their birth land and ‘VANDE MATARAM’ is the song sung by these Santanasof Ananda Math.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn ‘VANDE MATARAM’ Shri Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay has personified the motherland as a mother and has managed toestablish an emotional connection between the public and their land of birth.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIt was first sung publicly by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore at the Calcutta Congress Session, in 1896. Around 1905, during theAnti-Partition and Swadeshi Movement in Bengal, both the song and the slogan ‘Vande Mataram’ gained immense popularity. Soon, it transcended regional barriers and became a symbol of resistance against the colonial rule. Leaders, students and freedom fightersrecited it at political assemblies, demonstrations and prior to incarceration.Some events highlighting the impact of VANDE MATARAM are mentioned below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nOn 7 August 1905, ‘Vande Mataram’ was used as political slogan for the first time, during a procession of thousands of students towards the town hall, Calcutta (Kolkata). In this historic meetingthe vow of Swadeshi, and boycott of foreign goods was adopted, signalling the Anti-Partition of Bengal Movement.<\/li>\n\n\n\nIn October 1905, a ‘Bande Mataram Sampradaya’ was founded in North Calcutta.Prabhat Pheris, were organised every Sunday, in which members of this society went outsinging Vande Mataram and accepting voluntary contributions from people in support of the motherland.<\/li>\n\n\n\nSeeing the rise of Vande Mataram both as a song and as a slogan, and the emotional reaction that it invoked in the people, regarding their commitment towards their motherland, the British officials became worried. They started adopting strict measures to stop it’s spread; from banning it’s chanting and singing, to imposing fines on defaulters, to threatening politically active students with debarment from government service, and educational institutes with loss of recognition.<\/li>\n\n\n\nIn November 1905, 200 school students from Rangpur (Bengal) were fined with Rs 5 each, for chanting Vande Mataram. In Rangpur, prominent Anti-Partition leaders were ordered to serve as special constables to prevent Vande Mataramchanting.<\/li>\n\n\n\nBut these orders from the British Administration could not break the firm resolve of the people. On 20 May 1906, in Barisal (now in Bangladesh), thousands of people took out a procession and marched through the streets carrying Vande Mataram flags.<\/li>\n\n\n\nIn August 1906, an English daily ‘Bande Mataram’, was started. Bipin Chandra Pal was the editor and later Sri Aurobindo joined as joint editor. Through it’sthought-provoking editorials it spread the message of self-reliance, unity and inspired young Indians to break the shackles of colonisation.<\/li>\n\n\n\nIn 1906, a flag that was a precursor to the current National Flag of India, was hoisted for the first time in the Parsee Bagan Square in Calcutta (Kolkata). The words VANDE MATARAM, in Devanagari script were written on the flag.<\/li>\n\n\n\nIn 1907, a similar flag with slight modifications was hoisted for the first time on foreign soil, inStuttgart, Berlinby Madam Bhikaji Cama. The words VANDE MATARAM, in Devanagari script were written on the flag.<\/li>\n\n\n\nIn May 1907, Lahore, a protest to condemn the arrest of Swadeshi leaders at Rawalpindi was carried out. The protesters marched and raised Vande Mataram Slogans, defying the British authority.Brutal police action was taken against them.<\/li>\n\n\n\nIn June 1908, Lokmanya Tilak’s trial was undergoing in the Bombay Police Court, thousands of people gathered outside the court and chanted Vande Mataram. Afterwards, on 21 June 1914, Lokmanya Tilak was welcomed in Pune and greeted with chants of Vande Mataram.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nAll the above specified events, clearly portray the immense patriotic significance of VANDE MATARAM. This song had ignited a fire inside people; it represented the rising Indian Nationalism. Its verses filled people’s hearts with cultural pride and inspired them to aspire for independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOn 24 January 1950, Dr. Rajendra Prasad addressed the Constituent Assembly and made a statement, to provide equal status to the National Anthem Jana Gana Mana and Vande Mataram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n“The composition consisting of the words and music known as Jana Gana Mana is the National Anthem of India, subject to such alterations in the words as the Government may authorise as occasion arises; and the song Vande Mataram, which has played a historic part in the struggle for Indian freedom, shall be honoured equally with Jana Gana Mana and shall have equal status with it. (Applause). I hope this will satisfy the Members.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n– Dr. Rajendra Prasad to the Constituent Assembly, 24 January 1950 (Source: pib.gov.in)<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis statement was unanimously adopted by the Constituent Assembly. Thus, Rabindranath Tagore’s Jana Gana Mana was adopted as the National Anthem of India and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’sVande Mataramas the National Song of India, with both having equal status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n7 November 2025 marked the 150thanniversary of VANDE MATARAM. To commemorate this historic milestone, a NationalLevel Inaugural Programme was held in New Delhi with the Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi as the chief guest. A commemorative stamp and coin were released. Events with public participation were conductedacross India. Celebrations and initiatives that honour the legacy of this song, would continue to be conducted in four phases, throughout the year. A special discussion was also conducted in Lok Sabha on 8 December 2025 and in Rajya Sabha on 9 December 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\nVANDE MATARAM, the National Song of India, captures the essence of the emotional connection that citizens of India have with their motherland. A piece of literature that became,the symbol of perseverance shown by the people of India, a rallying cry for freedom, a song of resistance against the colonial rule,is celebrating it’s150thanniversary in Independent India. This timeless creation of Shri Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay has witnessed the evolution of India’s national identity and has become a symbol of India’s cultural pride, unity, devotion and sacrifice.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t<\/i><\/span>\r\n\t\teditorial article<\/a>\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/i> 0<\/b><\/a><\/i> 103<\/b><\/span>\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\tShare<\/b>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/span>Twitter<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/span>Google+<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/span>ReddIt<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/span>WhatsApp<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/span>Pinterest<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/span>Email<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t<\/span>\r\n\t<\/a>\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\tstatetimes_editor<\/span><\/a>\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/section>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/i> Leave a comment\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t<\/section>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\r\n","haveNext":true,"loaded_posts":[488232],"posts_info":[{"id":488232,"title":"150 YEARS OF VANDE MATARAM","link":"https:\/\/statetimes.in\/150-years-of-vande-mataram\/"}]}
