About Vande Mataram 150 years Celebration:
- “Vande Mataram,” written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in a blend of Sanskrit and Bengali, is the National Song of India.
- It was first featured in his novel Anand Math in 1882, with its tune composed by Yadunath Bhattacharya.
- It became a symbol of patriotism during India’s freedom struggle.
- Historical Background:
- It was initially composed independently and later included in Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s novel “Anandamath” (published in 1882).
- It was first sung by Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 Congress Session in Calcutta.
- Vande Mataram, as a political slogan, was first used on 7 August 1905.
- In 1907, Madam Bhikaji Cama raised the tricolour flag for the first-time outside India in Stuttgart, Berlin. The words Vande Mataram were written on the flag.
- On 24 January 1950, the Constituent Assembly adopted Vande Mataram as the National Song of India.
- The National Song is held in equal reverence to the national anthem, but it is not mandatory to sing it at any given occasion.
