Vande Mataram Turns 150: Nation Celebrates with Mass Singing
Vande Mataram Turns 150: Nation Celebrates with Mass Singing
India marks 150 years of its national song with nationwide events, Telangana mass singing, and a stamp-and-coin tribute as leaders praise its unifying spirit.
India is marking the 150th anniversary of its national song Vande Mataram with a year-long programme of nationwide celebrations, highlighting the song's enduring role in India's freedom struggle and national identity. Composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and first published in Bangadarshan on November 7, 1875, Vande Mataram later found its musical form through Rabindranath Tagore and has since become a touchstone of national unity and inspiration. Across the country, leaders are emphasizing the song's spirit as a source of unity and renewed energy for the youth.
In Telangana, the government has directed all district Collectors to organise mass singing of the authorized version at 10 a.m. on Friday at Collectorates, government offices and educational institutions, as part of the 150-year commemoration. The move underscores how the national song continues to resonate beyond political debates, uniting people in a shared cultural moment.
In the national capital, the celebrations will feature Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the year-long programme at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium and releasing a commemorative stamp and coin, underscoring the government's view of Vande Mataram as a symbol of India's civilisational and cultural identity. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also emphasized on X that the song remains a beacon of nationalism, unity, and pride for the country's youth. The anniversary runs from November 7, 2025, to November 7, 2026, marking 150 years since its emergence as the nation's soul.
As with any major national event, the celebrations have also sparked political chatter, including debates over the song's stanzas and how they are presented. A political row surfaced with claims that Nehru had dropped Maa Durga stanzas from Vande Mataram, reflecting ongoing discourse around the national song's legacy and interpretation. While supporters highlight its unifying power, critics remind audiences that symbols can be interpreted in various ways and should be inclusive of all communities.
Cover image source: 150 years on, 'Vande Mataram' continues to ignite eternal flame of nationalism: Amit Shah 🔗
