Why in the news?

  • India is celebrating the 150th anniversary of its national song, Vande Mataram.

Vande Mataram

  • Author: Written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875.
  • Publication: First appeared in his 1882 novel Anandamath- a nationalist work depicting Hindu monks’ revolt against foreign rule.
  • Language: Written in Sanskritised Bengali.
  • Musical Composition: Music composed by Rabindranath Tagore.
  • Role in Freedom Struggle:
    • First sung in the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress in 1896.
    • Became a rallying cry during the Swadeshi Movement (1905-11) after the Partition of Bengal.
    • Symbolised unity, sacrifice, and resistance against British colonialism.
    • Widely used in slogans, protests, and revolutionary writings and evoked emotional and spiritual nationalism.
  • Constitutional Status:
    • The Constituent Assembly adopted the first two stanzas as the National Song in 1948, recognising their inclusive and non-communal nature.
    • Article 51A(a) (Fundamental Duties) urges citizens to respect the National Anthem and National Song.
    • No specific law mandates singing it, but public respect is expected as per Supreme Court and MHA guidelines.

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay

  • Who is he?: Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was one of the architects of modern Indian literature.
  • Major Works:
    • Book: Kapalkundala, Durgeshnandini, Krishnakanter Will, Devi Chaudhurani
    • Essays and criticism: Bangadarshan (journal)
  • Recognition:
    • Given the title “Rai Bahadur” by the British (1894)
    • Revered as “Sahitya Samrat” (Emperor of Literature) in Bengal

Source: Press Information Bureau