Recently, Parliament held a special discussion to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, a song intricately linked to India’s freedom struggle. Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated this discussion, emphasizing the song's relevance amid ongoing debates surrounding its religious connotations and political meanings.
Once a patriotic hymn from Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay’s novel, Vande Mataram has evolved into a powerful symbol of nationalism. However, due to concerns over certain stanzas, the Congress officially adopted only the first two verses in 1937. In the Constituent Assembly, the song was given “equal honour and status” alongside the National Anthem.
According to historical accounts from the PIB, Vande Mataram was composed by Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay around 1875. The song gained traction when it was serialized in his novel Anandamath in 1881. Sri Aurobindo noted in his writings that this hymn encapsulated the essence of patriotic devotion.
Anandamath narrates the tale of the Santanas, ascetic warriors dedicated to liberating their motherland from oppression. Their devotion is directed towards Bharat Mata, represented as a personified motherland rather than a religious figure.
These representations symbolize India’s past glory, current struggles, and hopeful future resurgence.
By the early 20th century, Vande Mataram had transformed into a powerful rallying cry within India’s nationalist movement, especially following the partition of Bengal by Lord Curzon in 1905. This song became the emotional core of mass protests, energizing boycotts, marches, and various political groups.
A significant event occurred in 1906 at Barisal, where over 10,000 people, both Hindus and Muslims, marched together chanting Vande Mataram. Key figures such as Rabindranath Tagore and Bipin Chandra Pal played pivotal roles in popularizing this anthem, which evolved into a spiritual and political call for self-rule.
The British authorities, alarmed by the song's ability to mobilize the masses, attempted to suppress it through fines, police repression, and bans on public gatherings. In various regions, chanting Vande Mataram became an act of bold defiance against colonial rule.
In 1907, Madam Bhikaji Cama showcased the first Indian tricolor at Stuttgart, emblazoned with Vande Mataram, marking its symbolic emergence on the international stage. The Indian National Congress appreciated the song and formally adopted it in national ceremonies.
In 1896, Rabindranath Tagore’s rendition at the Calcutta Congress session brought national prominence to Vande Mataram. The Congress formally adopted it during the Swadeshi Movement in 1905, during the anti-partition protests.
However, by the 1930s, the Congress decided to only use the first two stanzas due to objections regarding religious imagery, aiming to maintain inclusivity. In 1950, the Constituent Assembly confirmed Vande Mataram's equal status with the National Anthem, reflecting its historic significance and preserving national unity.
Q1. What is the significance of Vande Mataram in Indian history?
Answer: Vande Mataram is a historic song that became a powerful symbol of India's freedom struggle, representing national unity and patriotism. It played a crucial role in mobilizing the masses during the nationalist movement.
Q2. Who composed Vande Mataram and when?
Answer: Vande Mataram was composed by Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay around 1875, and it gained popularity from his novel Anandamath serialized in 1881.
Q3. Why did the Congress adopt only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram?
Answer: The Congress adopted only the first two stanzas in 1937 to avoid sectarian symbolism, aiming to maintain an inclusive national movement that represented all communities.
Q4. How did Vande Mataram become a global symbol?
Answer: In 1907, Madam Bhikaji Cama displayed the first Indian tricolor with Vande Mataram written on it at Stuttgart, marking its symbolic entry onto the global stage.
Q5. What was the recognition given to Vande Mataram in 1950?
Answer: In 1950, the Constituent Assembly granted Vande Mataram equal status with the National Anthem, acknowledging its historical importance in India's independence movement.
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