(Vande Mataram, India's National Song, celebrates its 150th anniversary, symbolising unity, inspiring the freedom movement, and embodying the nation's patriotic spirit.)
India is celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the
National Song, Vande Mataram. This timeless composition continues to
inspire patriotic spirit among all Indians, regardless of their caste, creed,
or religion. It is India's most iconic poem, praised for eulogising the nation
and kindling a great pride in being Indian.
The Sacred Origin and Vision
The song was written as a poem by Bankim Chandra
Chatterjee in 1875. The words are a mix of Bengali and Sanskrit languages.
The poem first appeared in his famous novel, Anandamath, in 1882. The
author blended nationalism, nationalistic identity, and spirituality in his
writing. Even after 150 years, the poem deeply stirs the emotions of people
whenever it is sung. It inspires soldiers, farmers, politicians, students, and
the elderly alike.
The composition visualises Mother India as a Goddess.
It praises Her beauty by extolling the rivers, agricultural fields, and natural
resources. She is characterised as the benevolent, nurturing, fierce, and
protective Mother. The poem was inspired by the spirit of Bengal and the
reverence for Durga Pooja.
The Slogan that Fuelled the Freedom Movement
The emotional fervour of the song quickly moved out of the novel and took centre stage in the Indian Independence Movement. The slogan Vande Mataram (I bow to thee, Mother) became a powerful rallying point against the tyrannical British Rule.
·
A National Call: The Nobel laureate Rabindranath
Tagore first sang the song at the National Conference of the Indian
National Congress in 1896.
·
The Bengal Partition: When
Bengal faced Partition, the words Vande Mataram became extremely popular
and were chanted with great vigour by students and protesters. It soon spread
all over the country, crossing the boundaries of Bengal.
·
A Symbol
of Defiance: The British Government banned the slogan. However,
thesong's emotional power made it a strong symbol of protest against colonial
rule. The words gave the freedom fighters the courage to face the Englishmen
bravely.
Sacrifice and Martyrdom in the South
The slogan’s profound significance in kindling patriotism
is evident in the stories of sacrifice across the country.
·
Tirupur Kumaran: Known as "Kodi
Katha Kumaran" in Tamil(the Kumaran who protected the flag), he was a
young freedom fighter in Tamil Nadu. During a protest in Tirupur on 10 January
1932, he led a group of volunteers, defying British bans and raising slogans
like Vande Mataram. Even after being severely beaten and injured by the
British police, he clung tightly to the national flag. Kumaran became a martyr
the next morning, never letting the flag touch the ground, and was heard
murmuring “Vande Mataram” in his dying moments.
·
Matangini Hazra: This 73-year-old
woman led a large procession during the Quit India Movement in Tamluk, Bengal.
When ordered to stop, she refused, appealing to the police not to fire. Despite
being shot multiple times, she kept marching, holding the Indian tri-colour high,
and chanting "Vande Mataram" until she fell.
·
Arya Bhashyam: Another great leader
from Tamil Nadu, K. Bhashyam Iyengar, used the pen name 'Arya'. He was
an extremist who was also attracted to the Gandhian movement. In 1932, he
performed the heroic act of secretly hoisting the Indian Tricolour on the
148-foot flagpole at Fort St. George in Madras. He was later arrested and
sentenced to rigorous imprisonment. In jail, he described facing torture. When
he was given 30 lashes for questioning the authorities' atrocities, he
continued to shout 'Vande Mataram' throughout the punishment.
The National Song and the Controversy
On 24 January 1950, the Constituent Assembly
officially named Vande Mataram as the National Song of India, according
it equal honour with the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana.
However, the song has faced controversy. Some Muslims
object to the song because they feel it refers to the nation as the Motherland.
They claim that Vande Mataram is a Hindu hymn that praises a mother
goddess. This, they feel, is a form of idolatry which is forbidden in their
religion.
The controversy became a political issue in 1937
when Mohammad Ali Jinnah questioned the song. He claimed the song was not only
idolatrous but also spread hatred for Muslims.
To address the feelings of minority communities, a
subcommittee was formed in 1937, including leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru
and Abul Kalam Azad. The committee recommended that only the first
two stanzas of the song should be sung. These stanzas focus on the love and
praise for the Motherland, making the selected part to please the Muslims and
avoiding references to Hindu Gods. This decision aimed to focus on the song’s
modern evolution as a part of national life rather than its original context in
the novel. Thus, the National Song adopted by the Parliament worships Bharat as
the Mother.
n Ever-Relevant Legacy
The cry of Vande Mataram remains a potent symbol
of national energy and devotion to the nation. Even today, leaders like Prime
Minister Narendra Modi champion its significance. The Prime Minister
inaugurated the year-long commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of Vande
Mataram on 7th November 2025. This marked the formal launch of celebrations
running until November 2026. The celebrations often feature a Mass Singing
of the song across the nation, with citizens joining in unison. The Prime
Minister has described Vande Mataram as a sacred mantra that symbolises
India's unity, strength, and devotion to Maa Bharati. The collective singing of
the song in public meetings and official commemorations continues to energise
the people, echoing the powerful patriotic feeling that drove the freedom
fighters.
As we honour the 150 years of this powerful composition,
we remember its history and the sacrifices made while chanting its words. Vande
Mataram is more than just a song; it is the unwavering spirit of patriotism
that continues to unite the nation.
Co authored with Ramesh Sundaram, Joint Managing Editor
Source: This was the cover story published in November 2025 edition of PreSense
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