Vande Mataram: Commemorating 150 Years Of India's Iconic National Song

Vande Mataram, a song that has inspired many generations of freedom fighters and nation builders in India, marks its 150th anniversary. Composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, it was first published on 7 November 1875 in the literary journal Bangadarshan. The song literally means "Mother, I Bow to Thee" and holds a significant place in India's history.

Incorporated into Chatterjee's novel 'Anandamath’ in 1882, Vande Mataram was set to music by Rabindranath Tagore. Tagore performed it at the Congress Session in Calcutta in 1896. The song became a political slogan on 7 August 1905 and was officially adopted as India's national song in 1950.

Historical Significance of Vande Mataram

The novel Anand Math, where Vande Mataram appeared, was initially serialised in Bangadarshan magazine. The song featured in the March-April 1881 issue. In October 1905, the Bande Mataram Sampradaya was established in North Calcutta to promote the idea of the Motherland as both a mission and religious passion.

Every Sunday, society members participated in Prabhat Pheris, singing "Vande Mataram" while collecting voluntary contributions for the cause. Rabindranath Tagore occasionally joined these gatherings. In August 1906, an English daily named Bande Mataram was launched under Bipin Chandra Pal's editorship, with Sri Aurobindo later joining as joint editor.

Impact and Resistance

The newspaper played a crucial role in awakening India by spreading messages of self-reliance and unity through its editorials. Alarmed by Vande Mataram's influence as both a song and slogan, British authorities imposed strict measures to curb its spread.

In November 1905, students from a school in Rangpur were fined ₹5 each for chanting Vande Mataram. Prominent anti-partition leaders were appointed special constables to prevent such chants. Despite these efforts, cries of Vande Mataram echoed at a large meeting held at Dhulia, Maharashtra, in November 1906.

Symbolism Beyond Borders

The words Vande Mataram also found their way onto the tricolour flag raised by Bhikaji Cama outside India for the first time in Stuttgart, Berlin, in 1907. In Belgaum, Karnataka, during Lokmanya Tilak's deportation to Mandalay in Burma in 1908, police arrested many individuals for chanting the song against verbal orders prohibiting it.

Within India's Constituent Assembly, there was unanimous agreement on adopting both Jana Gana Mana and Vande Mataram as national symbols without any debate. On 24 January 1950, Dr Rajendra Prasad addressed the assembly regarding their status.

Equal Status with National Anthem

Dr Rajendra Prasad stated that due to its significant role during the freedom movement, Vande Mataram should hold equal status with Jana Gana Mana as India's National Anthem. He remarked that instead of formal resolutions or debates within the House about this matter concerning national symbols' recognition—his statement would suffice.

This decision led to Rabindranath Tagore's Jana-Gana-Mana being adopted as independent India's national anthem while Bankim's Vande Mataram gained equal recognition alongside it as our National Song—a testament to its enduring legacy throughout history.