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Vande Mataram is the national song of India, and its title means “I bow to thee, O Mother (land).” It was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in the 1870s and first published in his 1882 novel Anandamath. This patriotic song, composed in a blend of Sanskrit and Bengali, became a powerful anthem of India’s freedom movement. The national song of India “Vande Mataram” was adopted on January 24, 1950, by the Constituent Assembly, with the first President Dr. Rajendra Prasad affirming that it should be honored equally with the national anthem. Often confused with the national anthem (Jana Gana Mana), Vande Mataram holds its own unique place in India’s national identity and history.
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay (1838–1894), the writer of “Vande Mataram,” the national song of India. He first included this hymn in his novel Anandamath in 1882. “Vande Mataram” was a source of inspiration during the freedom struggle and was later adopted as the national song on 24 January 1950.
Vande Mataram: India’s National Song Overview
| Aspect | Details |
| Title | Vande Mataram (वन्दे मातरम्) |
| Meaning | “I bow to thee, O Mother (land)” |
| Author | Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay (1838-1894) |
| Composition Year | 1870s |
| First Publication | 1882, in the novel “Anandamath” |
| Language | Sanskritized Bengali |
| First Public Performance | 1896, by Rabindranath Tagore at Indian National Congress session, Calcutta |
| Official Adoption Date | January 24, 1950 |
| Status | National Song of India (not to be confused with Jana Gana Mana, the National Anthem) |
| Officially Recognized Portion | First two verses |
| Historical Significance | Rallying cry during freedom struggle; banned by British during colonial rule |
| Symbolic Meaning | Personifies India as a mother goddess; celebrates the land’s beauty and strength |
| Notable Feature | Holds equal status with the National Anthem as declared by Dr. Rajendra Prasad |
History of Vande Mataram
Who wrote the national song of India? The powerful verses of Vande Mataram were penned by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay (also anglicized as Bankim Chandra Chatterjee) in a moment of inspiration around 1875–76. At that time, British rulers were promoting “God Save the Queen” as an anthem, which stirred Bankim Chandra to create an Indian national song reflecting the subcontinent’s rich culture and spirit. He wrote Vande Mataram originally in Sanskritized Bengali, celebrating India as a mother goddess, and later included it in a book titled Anandamath (a Bengali novel published in 1882).
The national song of India has thus been taken from a book titled Anandamath, which itself is set against the backdrop of a late 18th-century monks’ rebellion. Who composed the national song of India? Bankim Chandra wrote the lyrics as a poem, and soon after, musician Jadunath Bhattacharya was asked to set it to a melody. This made Vande Mataram not just a poem on paper but a song that people could sing. The song’s first public performance was by Rabindranath Tagore (who would later write the national anthem) – Tagore sang Vande Mataram in 1896 at the Indian National Congress session in Calcutta.
In the coming years, the song was sung at various freedom gatherings. By 1905, during the Swadeshi movement against British rule, Vande Mataram had become a rallying cry for Indian independence activists. The British colonial government reacted by banning public recitation of “Vande Mataram”, seeing it as seditious; many patriots were imprisoned for singing it. Despite the ban, Indians continued to defiantly sing the song as an expression of national pride and resistance.
In 1937, even before India’s independence, the Indian National Congress formally recommended adopting the first two verses of Vande Mataram as the “national song” of India. This was a strategic choice, focusing on the portions of the song that were inclusive and acceptable to all communities.
Upon independence in 1947, the ban on the song was lifted. Finally, on 24 January 1950, Vande Mataram was officially adopted as the national song of India by the Constituent Assembly, just before India became a Republic. Dr. Rajendra Prasad, then President of the Assembly (and later the first President of India), declared that Vande Mataram would hold equal status with the national anthem Jana Gana Mana. Key Historical Milestones of “Vande Mataram”:
- 1870s: Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay composes Vande Mataram as a poem in Sanskritised Bengali.
- 1882: The song appears in Bankim’s novel Anandamath, set during the Sannyasi Rebellion.
- 1896: Vande Mataram is first sung in public by Rabindranath Tagore at the Indian National Congress session in Calcutta.
- 1905: It becomes a mass patriotic slogan during the Swadeshi movement; the British colonial government bans its public singing due to its revolutionary message.
- 1937: A committee including Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose and others adopts the first two verses of Vande Mataram as the National Song of India (while planning for independence).
- 1947: After India gains independence, the British ban on Vande Mataram is lifted, and the song rings out freely once again.
- 24 January 1950: The Constituent Assembly of India declares “Vande Mataram” as the national song, to be honored equally alongside the national anthem.
Lyrics of the National Song of India
One of the most beautiful aspects of Vande Mataram is its lyrical imagery. Below are the original lyrics in Sanskrit (written in Hindi script) and their English translation. These are the first two verses of Vande Mataram, which are the verses officially recognized as the national song of India: Vande Mataram Lyrics in Hindi (Sanskrit verses):
वन्दे मातरम्
सुजलां सुफलां मलयजशीतलाम्,
शस्यश्यामलां मातरम् ।
शुभ्र-ज्योत्स्ना-पुलकित-यामिनीम्,
फुल्ल-कुसुमित-द्रुमदल-शोभिनीम्,
सुहासिनीं सुमधुर भाषिणीं,
सुखदां वरदां मातरम् ॥ १ ॥
वन्दे मातरम् ।
कोटि-कोटि-कण्ठ-कल-कल-निनाद कराले,
कोटि-कोटि-भुजैर्धृत-खरकरवाले,
अबला केन मा एत बले ।
बहुबलधारिणीं नमामि तारिणीं,
रिपुदलवारिणीं मातरम् ॥ २ ॥
English Translation of Vande Mataram:
I bow to thee, Mother!
Richly watered, richly fruited,
cool with the winds of the south,
green with the harvest of paddy fields, Mother, I bow to thee! Bright with the glory of moonlight;
beautifully adorned with blooming flowers;
smiling and sweet in language,
bestower of happiness and abundance, Mother, I salute thee! Thou art powerful, with many millions of voices resounding,
and millions of mighty arms wielding swords to guard you.
Who says that you are weak, O Mother?
Holder of so much strength, I bow to you who save us;
you who destroy the enemies, Mother, I bow to thee!*
The original Vande Mataram actually has more verses (in later verses, the motherland is depicted as the Hindu goddess Durga and Lakshmi), but only the first two stanzas were officially adopted for the national song to keep the message universal and inclusive. The lyrics in Hindi (Devanagari script) are often taught in schools and sung on national occasions, while the English translation of the lyrics helps non-Hindi speakers and international audiences appreciate its meaning.
Significance and Legacy
Vande Mataram holds a deeply emotional and cultural significance in India. During the struggle for independence, its words were a source of inspiration and unity, igniting patriotism in millions. Freedom fighters would often chant “Vande Mataram” as a slogan of defiance against British rule, even at the cost of being jailed. The song’s energizing message of motherland worship transcended regional and linguistic differences, uniting Indians under a common national ethos.
Even today, hearing Vande Mataram can evoke a sense of pride and nationhood among Indians. The meaning of the song is also significant: it personifies India as a mother goddess symbolizing the nation. In the first verse, the land is depicted with lush fields, cool breezes, and moonlit nights – emphasizing that the motherland nourishes her children with abundance and beauty.
In the second verse, the song highlights strength, implying that Mother India empowers her people to rise with strength and fight injustice. This blend of gentle love (as a nurturing mother) and fierce strength (as a protector) resonated strongly during the freedom movement. It encouraged Indians to view their country as more than just land – as a mother figure deserving devotion and sacrifice.
Over time, Vande Mataram has been translated into various languages and performed in numerous renditions. It has been sung in Hindi, Bengali (its original form), Sanskrit, and even English interpretations. The song is often played or sung at national events, school functions, and official ceremonies, especially on Independence Day and Republic Day, to remind citizens of the sacrifices made for freedom and the ongoing duty to honor the nation.
National Anthem vs National Song of India
It’s important to clarify the difference between India’s national anthem and national song, as they are two distinct national symbols:
National Song of India
Vande Mataram: Vande Mataram is the National Song of India, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875 (published 1882). It was adopted as the national song on Jan 24, 1950. Vande Mataram is not mentioned in the Indian Constitution, but due to the Constituent Assembly’s resolution, it enjoys equal honor and status as the national anthem. It is usually sung or played on patriotic occasions, cultural programs, and during school assemblies or flag hoisting events. There is no specific time limit or legal protocol for rendering Vande Mataram, but typically the first two verses are sung, which takes roughly 1 to 1.5 minutes. The song is in a highly Sanskritized form of Bengali, and its theme is a hymn to the Motherland, evoking the land’s beauty and the devotion of its people.
National Anthem of India:
Jana Gana Mana: Jana Gana Mana is the National Anthem of India, composed by Rabindranath Tagore in 1911 (originally in Bengali). It was officially adopted on January 24, 1950 – the same date as Vande Mataram’s adoption – and is mentioned in the Constitution (in an official statement) as the national anthem. The anthem’s Hindi-Urdu version is sung in 52 seconds and there are strict protocols for its performance (such as standing up as a sign of respect). Jana Gana Mana is a prayer to the Almighty (addressing the dispenser of India’s destiny), and it specifically mentions various regions of India, symbolizing unity in diversity. It is played at formal state functions, national events, sporting events, etc., and carries a more official status in law (as per the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, which governs the anthem’s respect).
Read about the National Symbols of India in the linked article:
10 Interesting Facts about the National Song of India
Here are 10 Interesting Facts about the National Song of India, “Vande Mataram”:
- Composition Year: “Vande Mataram” was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1870. It was initially composed in Sanskrit and Bengali.
- First Public Performance: The song was first publicly sung by Rabindranath Tagore at the Indian National Congress session in Calcutta in 1896.
- Inclusion in Novel: “Vande Mataram” was included in Chattopadhyay’s novel Anandamath, published in 1882.
- Role in Independence Movement: It became a powerful symbol of resistance against British rule during the Indian independence movement.
- Official Status: Declared the National Song of India on January 24, 1950, by the Constituent Assembly, with equal status to the national anthem “Jana Gana Mana”.
- Language and Meaning: Written in Sanskritized Bengali, “Vande Mataram” translates to “I bow to thee, Mother,” referring to India as a mother figure.
- Musical Composition: The melody widely recognized today was not composed by Rabindranath Tagore, contrary to some claims. The actual composer of the melody is not well-documented.
- Verses: The original song has six verses, but only the first two are commonly sung at public events to avoid religious connotations.
- Cultural Significance: It symbolizes patriotism, national unity, and the fight for freedom, making it a revered national symbol.
- Respect and Protocol: Unlike the national anthem, there are no specific rules for singing “Vande Mataram,” but it is expected to be treated with equal respect as “Jana Gana Mana”.
FAQs on National Song of India
What is the National Song of India?
The National Song of India is Vande Mataram, a powerful symbol of patriotism and national pride written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1870.
What is the meaning of the National Song of India?
The meaning of Vande Mataram translates to I bow to thee, Mother, symbolizing reverence for the Motherland, representing India's strength, beauty, and spiritual significance.
What is the history of the National Song of India?
Vande Mataram was first published in Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel Anandamath in 1882. It became a rallying cry during the Indian independence movement and was officially adopted as the National Song on January 24, 1950.
What are the lyrics of the National Song of India?
The lyrics of Vande Mataram begin with Vande Mataram! Sujalam, suphalam, malayaja shitalam, Shasyashyamalam, Mataram! and continue with other verses that evoke patriotism and national pride.
What is the cultural significance of the National Song of India?
Vande Mataram symbolizes patriotism, national unity, and the fight for freedom, making it a revered national symbol that represents India's rich cultural heritage.
How is the National Song of India performed?
While there are no strict rules for singing Vande Mataram, it is expected to be treated with equal respect as the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana. Only the first two verses are commonly sung to avoid religious connotations.
How is the National Song of India used in education?
Educational institutions often teach Vande Mataram to highlight its historical and cultural significance, promoting patriotism and national pride among students.
How does the National Song of India reflect digital trends?
In the digital age, Vande Mataram is often featured in patriotic content on platforms like YouTube, reflecting its enduring relevance and influence on digital trends related to Indian culture and nationalism.
Who wrote Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana?
Vande Mataram was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. Jana Gana Mana was written by Rabindranath Tagore.
Does India have two national anthems?
India has one national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, and one national song, Vande Mataram. Vande Mataram is often referred to as the national song, not the national anthem.
Who wrote the national song of India?
The national song of India, Vande Mataram, was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
Who composed the national song of India?
The music for Vande Mataram was composed by Rabindranath Tagore.
