Bankim Chandra Chatterjee composed India's National Song. In 1950, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the words of the National Song of India, 'Vande Matram...' In this article for the IAS Exam and other competitive examinations, some interesting facts about India's National Song are discussed.

National Song of India

“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!”

National Song of India- A Brief History

• Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay/Chatterjee wrote the original version of Vande Mataram.
• Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was fascinated by recent events in Indian and Bengali history, particularly the 1857 revolt and the Sanyasi rebellion a century before.
• The colonial administration was attempting to promote "God Save the Queen" as the national anthem of British India during his stint as a government officer in 1876.
• Needless to say, the overwhelming majority of Indian nationalists were opposed to the initiative. As a result, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay created a poem that would encapsulate India's diverse cultural heritage while maintaining its essential character.
• He authored Vande Mataram in Chinsura (Chuchura), where there is a white Adhya family residence near the Hooghly River (near Mallik Ghat).
• Chattopadhyay composed the poem in a spur-of-the-moment session utilising Sanskrit and Bengali language. In 1882, Chattopadhyay's book Anandamath (pronounced Anondomôţh in Bengali) was published, which is set during the Sannyasi Rebellion. Just after the poem was composed, Jadunath Bhattacharya was asked to compose a melody for it.
• V. D. Paluskar, the founder of the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya and Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, is credited with the contemporary Vande Mataram composition.
• The Constituent Assembly of India declared "Vande Mataram" a national song on January 24, 1950. On the occasion, India's first President, Rajendra Prasad, declared that the song should be honored in the same way as the country's national hymn, "Jana Gana Mana." However, "national song" is not included in the Indian Constitution.

National Song of India- Some Interesting Facts

• Vande Mataram, India's national anthem, is seen as a source of inspiration for the country's people in their fight for independence. Bankim Chandra Chatterji penned the Indian national song in both Sanskrit and Bengali.
• Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the former President of India, declared in the Constituent Assembly on January 24, 1950, that the hymn Vande Mataram, which had played a crucial role in India's historic liberation movement, should be honoured equally with Jana Gana Mana and given equal status.
• The song was included in Bankim Chandra Chatterji's most well-known novel, Anand Math (1882), which is set during the Sannyasi revolt.
• In 1906, Nares Chandra Sen-Gupta completed the first English translation of Bankim Chandra Chatterji's work Anand Math, which included the poem Vande Mataram.
• The first political event at which the National Song was sung was the 1896 Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress. On the same date, the Rabindranath Tagore session performed the inaugural performance of India's national song.
• Sarala Devi Chaudurani, a poet, sang the national anthem at the Benares Congress Session in 1905.
• Lala Lajpat Rai launched a newspaper called Vande Mataram from Lahore. Vande Mataram was recited in Hiralal Sen's first political film, Vande Mataram, in 1905.

Conclusion

The national song emphasizes India's value as a varied country. It symbolizes India's unity under one banner, despite variations in culture, traditions, religion, and languages. The song has an important role in connecting people and reminding us that we are one under the Indian union.

FAQs

Question. What is India's national song?

Question. Who wrote the National Song "Vande Mataram"?

Question. What is the meaning of "Vande Mataram"?

Question. When was "Vande Mataram" adopted as the National Song of India?

Question. What is the significance of "Vande Mataram" in India's freedom struggle?

MCQs

1. Who composed the music for the national song "Vande Mataram"?

A) Rabindranath Tagore

B) Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay

C) Lata Mangeshkar

D) A.R. Rahman

2. Which book contains the song "Vande Mataram"?

A) Gitanjali

B) Anandamath

C) Chandramukhi

D) Rigveda

3. What does "Vande Mataram" mean?

A) I bow to the stars

B) I salute the mother

C) I bow to thee, Mother

D) Long live the mother

4. When was "Vande Mataram" officially adopted as the National Song of India?

A) 1947

B) 1950

C) 1952

D) 1949

5. What was the role of "Vande Mataram" in the Indian freedom struggle?

A) A symbol of British rule

B) A song of unity and patriotism

C) A poem for social reform

D) A religious chant

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1. Analyze the historical and cultural significance of the national song "Vande Mataram" in India's freedom struggle.

Answer: "Vande Mataram" holds immense historical and cultural significance in India’s freedom struggle. Composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and later set to music by Rabindranath Tagore, the song inspired a sense of unity and nationalism among the masses. It became a powerful anthem for the Indian independence movement, motivating people across the country to join the fight for freedom from British colonial rule. The song's patriotic lyrics, which praised the land of India as a mother figure, resonated deeply with Indians, strengthening their resolve to gain independence. The song’s adoption as the National Song of India post-independence further cemented its symbolic importance as a representation of India’s national identity.

Q2. Discuss the reasons behind the adoption of "Vande Mataram" as the National Song of India.

Answer: The adoption of "Vande Mataram" as the National Song of India was a natural progression, considering its deep emotional connection to the Indian independence movement. The song was written at a time when the country was striving for freedom, and its lyrics resonated with millions of people. "Vande Mataram" became a symbol of national unity, transcending religious, regional, and cultural boundaries. Its association with India's struggle for freedom made it the perfect choice as the National Song, representing the spirit of patriotism, unity, and devotion to the nation. The song's inclusion in the Indian Constitution reflected the ideals of independence, nationalism, and sovereignty.

Q3. Evaluate the impact of "Vande Mataram" on the Indian consciousness and its role in shaping India's national identity.

Answer: "Vande Mataram" played a crucial role in shaping India’s national identity by fostering a sense of collective consciousness among diverse groups within the country. The song's powerful message of unity and devotion to the motherland inspired people from all walks of life to join the independence movement. Its popularity grew as it became a rallying cry during protests and political struggles, cementing its place in India's cultural and political fabric. The song transcended regional and religious differences, helping to unite the people in their common goal of freedom. Post-independence, the adoption of "Vande Mataram" as the National Song further reinforced its symbolic importance in representing India's unity, pride, and patriotism.

Previous Year Questions on National Song

1. UPSC CSE 2023

Question: "Discuss the significance of 'Vande Mataram' in the context of India’s freedom movement and its role as a National Song."

Answer: "Vande Mataram" played a pivotal role in India’s freedom struggle, inspiring unity and patriotism. The song, composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, became a rallying cry against British colonial rule. Its adoption as the National Song of India after independence reflects its enduring cultural and historical importance as a symbol of the country's unity and sovereignty.

2. UPSC CSE 2022

Question: "How did the song 'Vande Mataram' contribute to the nationalist movement in India?"

Answer: "Vande Mataram" contributed significantly to the nationalist movement by galvanizing masses with its message of unity and devotion to the country. It inspired countless individuals to take part in protests and the independence struggle. Its emotional appeal transcended regional and religious boundaries, becoming a symbol of national pride and collective identity.