The National Song of India, "Vande Mataram," holds a special place in the hearts of every Indian citizen. Written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, this patriotic song was first composed in Bengali in the 1870s and later featured in his novel Anandamath. It was popularized during the Indian independence struggle as an emblem of resistance, unity, and pride. The first two stanzas of "Vande Mataram" are commonly sung during national events and ceremonies, symbolizing the deep reverence and connection of the Indian people to their motherland. The song stands alongside the National Anthem, "Jana Gana Mana," and, though it is not used as frequently as the anthem, it is equally significant in representing India's cultural and historical identity. Its adoption as the National Song in 1950 is a testament to the role it played in unifying the nation during the struggle for independence.

This topic of the National Song of India is relevant to several areas of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Primarily, it pertains to the General Studies Paper I on Indian Heritage and Culture, History of India and the Indian National Movement, and Geography of India, particularly in relation to India's cultural history, nationalism, and independence struggle. It also holds importance in the General Studies Paper II, especially in understanding governance, polity, and the symbolism embedded in national identity and unity.

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What is a National Song?

A National Song is a patriotic musical composition that is recognized by a country as an emblem of national pride and unity. It is typically played during significant national events and represents the collective identity and values of a country. It is not just a melody but a symbol of the nation’s cultural heritage, history, and aspirations.

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About the National Song of India

The National Song of India is "Vande Mataram," written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1870. The song was first included in his Bengali novel Anandamath in 1882. The lyrics were later adopted as a patriotic song during India’s struggle for independence.

The song was composed in Bengali, but it has been translated into many languages across the country. The first two stanzas of the song are often sung in official events and ceremonies, representing India’s unity, diversity, and the emotional connection to the motherland.

In 1950, the song was officially adopted as the National Song of India by the government, complementing the National Anthem, "Jana Gana Mana."

The Backstory of the National Song of India

The original version of Vande Matharam was a masterpiece created by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay/Chatterjee.

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was deeply interested in recent events in Indian and Bengali history, particularly the revolt of 1857 and the Sanyasi rebellion which had occurred a century before. During his tenure as a government official in 1876, the colonial administration attempted to popularize “God Save the Queen” as the national anthem of British India. This move was strongly opposed by the majority of Indian nationalists. In response, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay penned a poem that would encapsulate India's rich cultural history while preserving its core identity.

His poem, Vande Mataram, was born in Chinsura(Chuchura), at the Adhya Family's white house near the river Hooghly (close to Mallik Ghat).

Chattopadhyay crafted the poem in a spontaneous session, blending words from Sanskrit and Bengali. The poem was later published in Chattopadhyay’s book Anandamath (pronounced Anondomôţh in Bengali) in 1882, which is set against the backdrop of the Sannyasi Rebellion. Jadunath Bhattacharya was asked to set a tune for this poem shortly after it was written.

The modern Vande Mataram composition, as we hear it today, is credited to V. D. Paluskar, the founder of the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya and Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal.

On 24 January 1950, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted “Vande Mataram” as the national song. On this occasion, the first President of India, Rajendra Prasad stated that the song should be honoured on par with the national anthem of India, “Jana Gana Mana”. However, the Constitution of India does not make any reference to a “national song.”

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Lyrics of the National Song - Vande Mataram

The lyrics of Vande Mataram written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee is as below:

“Vande Mataram!

Sujalam, suphalam, malayaja shitalam,

Shasyashyamalam, Mataram!

Vande Mataram!

Shubhrajyotsna pulakitayaminim,

Phullakusumita drumadala shobhinim,

Suhasinim sumadhura bhashinim,

Sukhadam varadam, Mataram!

Vande Mataram, Vande Mataram!”

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Important Information Related to Vande Mataram

Some of the key facts related to Vande Mataram include the following:

• Regarded as the foundation of motivation for the people during their struggle for freedom, the National song of India, Vande Mataram, was written in Sanskrit and Bengali languages by Bankim Chandra Chatterji.
• The then President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, declared on January 24, 1950, in the Constituent Assembly that the song Vande Mataram, which had played a significant role in the historic freedom struggle of India, should be given equal status with Jana Gana Mana.
• The song was a part of Bankim Chandra Chatterji’s most famous novel Anand Math (1882) which is set in the events of Sannyasi rebellion.
• The first English translation of Bankim Chandra Chatterji’s novel Anand Math, which includes the poem Vande Mataram, was done by Nares Chandra Sen-Gupta, in 1906.
• The national song of India was first publicly sung at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress. On the same occasion, the national song of India was first sung by Rabindranath Tagore.
• In 1905, Poet Sarala Devi Chaudurani sang the national song in the Benares Congress Session.
• Lala Lajpat Rai, from Lahore, published a journal called Vande Mataram.
• In 1905, Vande Mataram was recited in the first political film made by Hiralal Sen.

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Discover more about the National Symbols of India in the linked article: