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The National Song of India is “Vande Mataram” is a powerful symbol of patriotism and national pride. It was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1870 and became a rallying cry during the Indian independence movement. This blog will delve into the history, lyrics, and interesting facts about this iconic song.
Introduction to National Song of India – Vande Mataram
History of the National Song of India
The original version of the Vande Mataram, the national song of India, was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay (also known as Bankim Chandra Chatterjee).
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay had a deep interest in recent events of Indian and Bengali history, especially the Revolt of 1857 and the Sanyasi Rebellion, which took place a century earlier. While serving as a government official in 1876, the British colonial administration attempted to promote “God Save the Queen” as the national anthem of British India. Unsurprisingly, most Indian nationalists strongly opposed this move. In response, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote a poem that would capture India’s rich cultural history while preserving its core identity.
He penned Vande Mataram in Chinsura (Chuchura), at a white house belonging to the Adhya family, near the river Hooghly (close to Mallik Ghat).
Chattopadhyay wrote this poem spontaneously, blending Sanskrit and Bengali words. It was first published in his book Anandamath (pronounced Anondomôţh in Bengali) in 1882, which was based on the events of the Sannyasi Rebellion. Shortly after its composition, Jadunath Bhattacharya was tasked with setting a tune to the poem.
The modern version of Vande Mataram, as we hear it today, was composed by V. D. Paluskar, the founder of Gandharva Mahavidyalaya and Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal.
On January 24, 1950, the Constituent Assembly of India officially adopted Vande Mataram as the national song of India. On this occasion, the first President of India, Rajendra Prasad, emphasized that the song should be honored with the same respect as the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana. However, it is important to note that the Constitution of India does not officially mention a “national song.”
For those seeking the National Song of India PDF, the full lyrics are readily available. The National Song of India was composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, and the Vande Mataram meaning resonates with a deep sense of patriotism and national pride. In Vande Mataram in English, the meaning is translated as an expression of reverence for the Motherland, representing the strength, beauty, and spiritual significance of India.
For further exploration, you can look up Vande Mataram meaning in English to understand the emotional depth and historical significance of this powerful song.
National Song of India lyrics
“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!”
Read about the National Symbols of India in the linked article:
Vande Mataram Song Translation in English
“Mother, I bow to thee!
Rich with thy hurrying streams,
Bright with orchard gleams,
Cool with thy winds of delight,
Dark fields waving Mother of might,
Mother free.
The glory of moonlight dreams,
Over thy branches and lordly streams,
Clad in thy blossoming trees,
Mother, giver of ease
Laughing low and sweet!
Mother, I kiss thy feet,
Speaker sweet and low!
Mother, to thee, I bow.
Who hath said thou art weak in thy lands?
When the swords flesh out in the seventy million hands
And seventy million voices roar
Thy dreadful name from shore to shore?
With many strengths who art mighty and stored,
To thee, I call Mother and Lord!
Though who savest, arise and save!
To her, I cry who ever her foeman drove
Back from plain and Sea
And shook herself free.
Thou art wisdom, thou art law,
Thou art heart, our soul, our breath
Though art loves the divine, the awe
In our hearts, that conquers death.
Thine the strength that nerves the arm,
Thine the beauty, then the charm.
Every image made divine.
In our temples is but thine.
Thou art Durga, Lady, and Queen,
With her hands that strike and her swords of sheen,
Thou art Lakshmi lotus-throned,
And the Muse, a hundred-toned,
Pure and perfect without peers,
Mother lend thine ear,
Rich with thy hurrying streams,
Bright with thy orchard gleams,
Dark of hue O candid-fair
In thy soul, with bejeweled hair
And thy glorious smile divine,
Loveliest of all earthly lands,
Showering wealth from well-stored hands!
Mother, mother mine!
sweet Mother , I bow to thee,
Mother great and free!”
National Song of India in Hindi
वन्दे मातरम्
सुजलां सुफलां मलयजशीतलाम्
शस्यश्यामलाम् मातरम्।
वन्दे मातरम्।
शुभ्रज्योत्स्ना पुलकित यामिनीम्
फुल्लकुसुमित द्रुमदलशोभिनीम्
सुहासिनीं सुमधुर भाषिणीम्
सुखदा मातरम्।
वन्दे मातरम्।
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.
