Vande Mataram 150th anniversary marked by India Consulate Belfast with 60 UK musicians

The Consulate General of India (CGI) in Belfast, Northern Ireland, marked 150 years of Vande Mataram through a joint music project. The tribute brought together more than 60 musicians from across the UK. CGI said the recording was released online last week. It was produced in partnership with Belfast-based Toccata Musicals Productions.

Representative image

CGI said the performers took part as volunteers, giving time and talent to the project. The consulate added that many musicians had personal links with India. CGI said they connected with India’s culture, traditions, spirituality and musical heritage. The collaboration aimed to present the National Song through shared musical work.

Vande Mataram tribute by CGI Belfast

The Belfast post is among India’s newer consulates in the United Kingdom. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar launched it in March last year. The consulate linked the project to Vande Mataram’s long history. It said the song was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in the novel Anandamath.

CGI said the composition date was November 7, 1875. Over time, the song became a key anthem of India’s freedom movement. It inspired freedom fighters opposing British colonial rule. CGI said the first two stanzas were often sung at meetings and gatherings.

Vande Mataram and India–Northern Ireland ties

"The establishment of India’s first-ever Consulate General in Belfast marks an important milestone in the relationship between India and Northern Ireland,\" said Kiran Khatri, Consul General of India in Belfast. \"It reflects India’s commitment to deepening its engagement with Northern Ireland and building stronger connections across culture, education, trade and people-to-people exchanges,\" she said.

CGI said the musical tribute also drew attention to a lesser-known link with Northern Ireland. It pointed to Sister Nivedita’s role in India’s Independence movement. She was born Margaret Elizabeth Noble in October 1867. Her birthplace was Dungannon, County Tyrone.

Vande Mataram link to Sister Nivedita

CGI said Sister Nivedita became an advocate of India’s national awakening. She was also a close associate of leading voices in India’s intellectual and nationalist movements. CGI said Vande Mataram was important in Sister Nivedita’s work and vision. It added that the song was adopted as the prayer of Sister Nivedita’s school in India.

With inputs from PTI