In a landmark decision, the Union Cabinet has approved a nationwide celebration to commemorate 150 years of “Vande Mataram,” India’s revered national song. The move aims to honour the song’s enduring influence on India’s cultural identity and its historic role in the country’s struggle for independence.
Composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1882 and first featured in his novel Anandamath, “Vande Mataram” quickly became a rallying cry for freedom fighters during the Indian independence movement. Its first public rendition by Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 Indian National Congress session transformed it into a national symbol of unity and resistance.
Although Jana Gana Mana serves as India’s official national anthem, “Vande Mataram” was accorded equal symbolic status by the Constituent Assembly in recognition of its emotional and historical importance. Traditionally, only the first two stanzas are sung publicly, as later verses include religious imagery that may not align with India’s pluralistic ethos.
The 150th-year celebrations will feature nationwide events, educational programs, and cultural performances highlighting the song’s deep connection with India’s heritage and spirit of nationalism.
