Source: TOI
Context: Prime Minister, in his Mann Ki Baat address, called for nationwide participation to celebrate the 150th anniversary of “Vande Mataram”, describing it as a “mantra that unites 140 crore Indians”.
About Vande Mataram – 150 Years Celebration:
What it is?
- Vande Mataram (meaning “I bow to thee, Mother”) is India’s national song, symbolizing reverence to the motherland and evoking patriotism and unity among citizens.
Written by:
- Composed in Sanskritised Bengali by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in the 1870s, it was first published in his novel Anandamath (1882).
History:
- The song’s first public rendition was by Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 Congress Session.
- It became the anthem of India’s freedom struggle, sung in protests and revolutionary gatherings despite being banned by the British.
- The Indian National Congress (1937) adopted its first two stanzas as the National Song, balancing inclusivity and secular appeal.
- On January 24, 1950, the Constituent Assembly accorded Vande Mataram equal honour to the National Anthem “Jana Gana Mana.”
Features:
- Spiritual Patriotism: Depicts the nation as a nurturing mother embodying both emotional and divine strength.
- Secular Adaptation: Only the first two stanzas, devoid of religious imagery, are used officially to ensure inclusivity.
- Cultural Symbolism: Serves as a unifying call cutting across linguistic and regional divides.
- Historical Legacy: Its association with movements like Swadeshi (1905) and Quit India (1942) made it the lyrical soul of resistance.
Current Status:
- Recognized by the Government of India as equal in stature to the National Anthem.
- Instrumental version is played at the closing of every Parliament session.
- Citizens are encouraged to show equal respect to both Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana, as affirmed by a Delhi High Court affidavit (2022).
