Prime Minister has launched year-long festivities to commemorate the 150th anniversary of “Vande Mataram.” This national song was penned by Bankimchandra Chatterji, reportedly on Akshaya Navami, November 7, 1875.

Key Facts About the National Song

• Authorship & Debut: Composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, the song first appeared in the literary journal Bangadarshan on November 7, 1875.
• Literary Integration: It was subsequently incorporated into his landmark novel Anandamath (1882).
• Musical Composition: The tune for the song was notably set by Rabindranath Tagore.
• Official Adoption:

• • The Congress Working Committee first adopted the song’s initial two stanzas as the National Song in 1937.
  • On January 24, 1950, India’s first President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, announced that “Vande Mataram” would receive honor equal to the National Anthem (“Jana Gana Mana”) to recognize its pivotal role in the freedom struggle.

• Constitutional Position:

• • The Indian Constitution does not contain a specific provision or explicit mention of a “national song.”
  • However, Article 51A(a) (a Fundamental Duty) mandates that all citizens shall abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals, the National Flag, and the National Anthem.

Role in the Freedom Movement

• Introduction to Congress: Rabindranath Tagore performed the song at the 1896 Kolkata session of the Indian National Congress, introducing it to the mainstream political movement.
• Formal Integration: By the 1905 Varanasi session, the song was formally adopted for use at all national-level Congress events.
• The Swadeshi Movement (1905):

• • The song was first deployed as a mass political slogan on August 7, 1905, at Calcutta’s Town Hall.
  • This event was a key catalyst for the Swadeshi movement launched in protest against the Partition of Bengal.
  • Its profound political impact prompted Lord Curzon to authorize police action against individuals who sang it.

• Related Nationalist Initiatives:

• • Bande Mataram Sampradaya (1905): This group was established in North Calcutta to foster patriotism. They organized Prabhat Pheris (morning processions) on Sundays, singing the song.
  • ‘Bande Mataram’ Newspaper (1906): An English-language daily of the same name was launched by Bipin Chandra Pal, with Sri Aurobindo later serving as joint editor. It became a vital platform for disseminating nationalist ideas like self-reliance.

Global Influence Among Revolutionaries

• Madam Bhikaji Cama (1907): The words “Vande Mataram” were prominently inscribed on the tricolor flag she unfurled in Stuttgart, Germany—the first Indian flag to be raised on foreign soil.
• Paris-based Journal (1909): A publication named Bande Mataram was started from Geneva by Indian patriots operating out of Paris.

Bankim Chandra Chatterjee (1838–1894)

• A Pioneer of the Bengali Renaissance: Born in Kanthalpara (near Naihati), Bengal, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee was a seminal figure in India’s 19th-century intellectual and cultural awakening.
• Education & Civil Service: He received his education at Hooghly College and Presidency College, Calcutta. He was one of the first two graduates of the University of Calcutta and later also earned a degree in Law. He served in the British colonial government as a Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector from 1858 until his retirement in 1891.

• “Sahitya Samrat” (Emperor of Literature):

• • Father of the Modern Bengali Novel: While his first novel, Rajmohan’s Wife (1864), was in English, he quickly shifted to Bengali, establishing the novel as a serious literary form. His first Bengali novel was Durgeshnandini (1865).
  • Major Works: His literary portfolio includes major novels like Anandamath (which contained “Vande Mataram”), Durgeshnandini, Kapalkundala, Devi Chaudhurani, and Bishabriksha (“The Poison Tree”), which critically explored social issues like widow remarriage.
  • Strong Female Characters: He was revolutionary for his time in creating complex and powerful female protagonists in his novels.
  • Philosophical Works: Beyond fiction, he was a prolific essayist. His key non-fiction works include Krishna Charitra (a rational re-examination of Lord Krishna), Dharmatattva (essays on religion and philosophy), and Samya (exploring the concept of equality). He often wrote satirical pieces under the pen name “Kamalakanta.”
• Nationalist Influence: His writings merged Hindu philosophy with nationalist zeal, arousing patriotic sentiments. He is widely credited with conceptualizing India as ‘Bharat Mata’ (Mother India) and providing a modern, intellectual basis for Hindu revivalism.