India celebrates 150 years of Vande Mataram, the timeless national song penned by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay that united freedom fighters and still ignites patriotism and pride. In 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah lead nationwide celebrations honoring this eternal anthem of freedom and unity.

India is commemorating 150 years of Vande Mataram — the eternal anthem that once ignited the nation’s freedom struggle and continues to inspire patriotism and unity. On October 1, the Union Cabinet approved a nationwide commemoration to reconnect citizens, especially youth and students, with the song’s revolutionary and spiritual essence.

The initiative, titled “150 Years of Vande Mataram,” aims to celebrate the spirit of the national song, honouring its timeless message and embedding its legacy in the hearts of the next generation.

Who Wrote Vande Mataram and What Does It Mean?

Vande Mataram translates to “I bow to thee, Mother.” It was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875 and composed in Sanskritised Bengali. The song was later included in his famous novel “Anandamath” (1882) — a work symbolizing India’s awakening against colonial oppression.

The lyrics portray “Bharat Mata” (Mother India) as a nurturing yet divine mother figure — blending spiritual patriotism with national devotion. This portrayal became a cornerstone of India’s independence movement.

When Was Vande Mataram First Sung Publicly?

The first public rendition of Vande Mataram was performed by Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress. The melody instantly captured the national consciousness, and over time, it became the anthem of the freedom struggle.

By 1937, the Congress officially adopted the first two stanzas of the song — chosen for their secular and inclusive tone, free of religious imagery. On January 24, 1950, the Constituent Assembly of India accorded Vande Mataram equal status with the National Anthem “Jana Gana Mana.”

How Did Vande Mataram Inspire India’s Freedom Struggle?

During the independence movement, Vande Mataram evolved into a rallying cry of freedom fighters and a symbol of resistance against British rule. The colonial authorities, aware of its power, banned its public singing and display across many regions.

Yet, from mass protests to secret meetings, the chant “Vande Mataram!” echoed as a slogan of defiance. Sri Aurobindo, a philosopher and freedom fighter, described the song as containing “spiritual powers capable of awakening collective consciousness.” For him, reciting Vande Mataram was not only political but a sacred act connecting Indians to their shared spiritual identity.

The song was also sung at the proclamation of the Provisional Government of Azad Hind, linking it to India’s revolutionary and nationalist awakening.

What Was the Role of Vande Mataram in the 1905 Partition of Bengal?

In 1905, Vande Mataram became the emotional heartbeat of protests against Lord Curzon’s Partition of Bengal. During a massive Calcutta Town Hall meeting, nearly 40,000 people sang the song in unison to oppose the British decision.

Defying Curzon’s orders to arrest anyone singing it, citizens continued to chant Vande Mataram, transforming it into the anthem of the Swadeshi Movement — which called for self-reliance and national unity.

What Was the Vande Mataram Movement in Gulbarga, Karnataka?

A lesser-known yet powerful chapter unfolded in Gulbarga (now Kalaburagi), then part of the Hyderabad-Karnataka region, in 1938. The Vande Mataram Movement of Gulbarga was led by students from institutions like Osmania University, Aurangabad Intermediate College, and Gulbarga University.

After the government banned the song on November 16, 1938, students boldly sang Vande Mataram on November 28 in protest. Their courage led to house arrests and expulsions, but the movement spread rapidly. To suppress it, the British deployed police forces on campuses and rusticated students who refused to comply.

This episode became a symbol of youth-led defiance, proving that Vande Mataram was not merely a song but a movement of conscience and courage.

How Is India Celebrating 150 Years of Vande Mataram in 2025?

As part of the 150th-anniversary celebrations, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Bihar on November 7, participating in a collective singing of Vande Mataram alongside citizens, BJP leaders, and students.

Simultaneously, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the central commemoration at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. Parallel events will be held nationwide, where party workers, officials, and citizens will collectively sing Vande Mataram at their workplaces, symbolizing unity, devotion, and pride.

The initiative reflects a collective national spirit, with India paying homage to a song that transcends generations.

What Did PM Modi Say About Vande Mataram in Mann Ki Baat?

In his 127th episode of “Mann Ki Baat” on October 26, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Vande Mataram a “timeless anthem” that gives tangible voice to the abstract emotion of patriotism.

PM Modi stated,

He urged citizens to join the celebrations, calling the song a “mantra that unites 140 crore Indians”, reaffirming its role in awakening national pride and unity.

What Is the Present Status and Legal Recognition of Vande Mataram?

Today, Vande Mataram enjoys equal constitutional status with the National Anthem, as declared by the Constituent Assembly in 1950. The instrumental version of the song is played at the end of every Parliament session, and citizens are encouraged to show equal respect to both Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana.

A Delhi High Court affidavit (2022) reaffirmed this equality, emphasizing that the song symbolizes spiritual patriotism, secular unity, and cultural identity.

Historically tied to movements like Swadeshi (1905) and Quit India (1942), Vande Mataram continues to be seen as the lyrical soul of India’s resistance and revival.

Why Does Vande Mataram Still Matter Today?

The song remains India’s emotional and spiritual compass — a link between the past and the present. From the protests of 1905 to the student movements of 1938, and now the nationwide celebrations of 2025, Vande Mataram continues to unite diverse voices under one anthem of devotion.

It reminds every citizen that beyond political and regional identities, India’s strength lies in the shared reverence for the motherland — and that simple, powerful phrase:“Vande Mataram — I bow to thee, Mother.”

As India celebrates 150 years of Vande Mataram, it honours not only a song but a movement of freedom, faith, and unity. The celebrations led by PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah symbolize a renewed awakening of national consciousness — echoing the same spirit that inspired millions during India’s struggle for independence.

From the voices of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay to the citizens of today, Vande Mataram continues to resound as the eternal rhythm of India’s soul.