{"id":45379,"date":"2023-12-06T14:48:22","date_gmt":"2023-12-06T09:18:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cheggindia.com\/?post_type=general-knowledge&p=45379"},"modified":"2025-10-06T16:38:50","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T11:08:50","slug":"national-song-of-india","status":"publish","type":"general-knowledge","link":"https:\/\/www.cheggindia.com\/hi\/general-knowledge\/national-song-of-india\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the National Song of India? An In-depth Look at Vande Mataram"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

India is a land of rich culture, deep emotions, and powerful symbols of national pride. One such symbol is the National Song of India written by Bankim Chandra is Vande Mataram. This song has played a big role in India\u2019s freedom struggle and continues to hold a special place in the hearts of Indians. In this article, we will take a close look at the history, meaning, and importance of the National Song of India. Let\u2019s explore how Vande Mataram became more than just a song it became a symbol of unity, sacrifice, and patriotism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the National Song of India?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The National Song of India is “Vande Mataram,” written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in the 1870s, was later included in his novel “Anandamath”. Originally composed in a mix of Sanskrit and Bengali, the song became a powerful symbol of unity and patriotism during the Indian freedom struggle. In 1950, it was formally recognized as the National Song of India, enjoying equal honor and respect alongside the National Anthem, \u201cJana Gana Mana.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

History of the National Song of India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The story of “Vande Mataram” begins not on a political stage, but in the pages of a powerful novel. The song was penned by the renowned Bengali novelist and poet, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay<\/a><\/strong>, in the 1870s. It was first published in his Bengali novel\u00a0Anandamath\u00a0(The Abbey of Bliss) in 1882, a narrative set against the backdrop of the Sannyasi Rebellion against British rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial musical composition for the song is credited to\u00a0Jadunath Bhattacharya. However, its journey to mass popularity was significantly boosted by a later, and now iconic, musical adaptation by\u00a0Rabindranath Tagore. It was Tagore’s rendition that first brought the song into the political arena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Historical Milestones:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

January 24, 1950:<\/strong>\u00a0Two days before India became a republic, the Constituent Assembly of India officially adopted “Vande Mataram” as the National Song. The then President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, stated, “The song\u00a0Vande Mataram<\/em>, which has played a historic part in the struggle for Indian freedom, shall be honoured equally with\u00a0Jana Gana Mana<\/em>\u00a0and shall have equal status with it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1896:<\/strong>\u00a0Rabindranath Tagore sang “Vande Mataram” at the session of the Indian National Congress in Calcutta, marking its debut as a political anthem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1905:<\/strong>\u00a0The song became the defining mantra of the Swadeshi Movement, which erupted in protest against the Partition of Bengal. It was sung at political meetings and protests, transforming it from a literary piece into a powerful cry for self-reliance and freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

British Reaction:<\/strong>\u00a0Recognizing its potent influence, the British colonial administration attempted to suppress the song. Singing “Vande Mataram” in public gatherings was often banned, and those defying the ban faced imprisonment, which only served to fuel its popularity and symbolic power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1937:<\/strong>\u00a0A controversy regarding its religious imagery led the Indian National Congress to appoint a committee. The committee, which included both Hindu and Muslim leaders, recommended adopting only the first two stanzas of the song for national use, as they are purely descriptive of the land’s beauty and are considered secular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay: The Literary Voice Behind Vande Mataram<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Bankim<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

1. A Literary Luminary<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was a famous Bengali novelist, poet, and journalist. He is best known for writing India’s national song, “Vande Mataram.” Born on June 27, 1838, in Naihati, West Bengal, he was a key figure in modern Indian literature and the Bengal Renaissance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. The Creation of a National Anthem<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chattopadhyay wrote “Vande Mataram,” a powerful song, in Sanskrit and later adapted it into Bengali. This song was part of his novel, Anandmath, published in 1882. The novel was inspired by the Sannyasi Rebellion, where Hindu monks fought against oppressive rulers. The song captured the spirit of resistance and became a symbol of India’s fight for freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. A Symbol of Nationalism<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

“Vande Mataram” soon became more than just a song in a book; it turned into a powerful cry for Indian nationalists. The song portrays India as a divine mother, Bharat Mata, which deeply resonated with the people. It inspired many freedom fighters and helped unite the nation in its quest for independence.

Chattopadhyay’s legacy is closely tied to this iconic song. His words continue to inspire and bring together Indians, making him a cherished figure in the nation’s history and literature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

National Song of India Lyrics<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\u0935\u0928\u094d\u0926\u0947 \u092e\u093e\u0924\u0930\u092e\u094d \u0938\u0941\u091c\u0932\u093e\u0902 \u0938\u0941\u092b\u0932\u093e\u0902 \u092e\u0932\u092f\u091c\u0936\u0940\u0924\u0932\u093e\u092e\u094d \u0936\u0938\u094d\u092f\u0936\u093e\u092e\u0932\u093e\u0902 \u092e\u093e\u0924\u0930\u092e\u094d \u0964

\u0936\u0941\u092d\u094d\u0930\u091c\u094d\u092f\u094b\u0924\u094d\u0938\u094d\u0928\u093e\u092a\u0941\u0932\u0915\u093f\u0924\u092f\u093e\u092e\u093f\u0928\u0940\u0902 \u092b\u0941\u0932\u094d\u0932\u0915\u0941\u0938\u0941\u092e\u093f\u0924\u0926\u094d\u0930\u0941\u092e\u0926\u0932\u0936\u094b\u092d\u093f\u0928\u0940\u0902 \u0938\u0941\u0939\u093e\u0938\u093f\u0928\u0940\u0902 \u0938\u0941\u092e\u0927\u0941\u0930 \u092d\u093e\u0937\u093f\u0923\u0940\u0902 \u0938\u0941\u0916\u0926\u093e\u0902 \u0935\u0930\u0926\u093e\u0902 \u092e\u093e\u0924\u0930\u092e\u094d \u0964\u0964 \u0967 \u0964\u0964

\u0935\u0928\u094d\u0926\u0947 \u092e\u093e\u0924\u0930\u092e\u094d \u0964

\u0915\u094b\u091f\u093f-\u0915\u094b\u091f\u093f-\u0915\u0923\u094d\u0920-\u0915\u0932-\u0915\u0932-\u0928\u093f\u0928\u093e\u0926-\u0915\u0930\u093e\u0932\u0947 \u0915\u094b\u091f\u093f-\u0915\u094b\u091f\u093f-\u092d\u0941\u091c\u0948\u0930\u094d\u0927\u0943\u0924-\u0916\u0930\u0915\u0930\u0935\u093e\u0932\u0947, \u0905\u092c\u0932\u093e \u0915\u0947\u0928 \u092e\u093e \u090f\u0924 \u092c\u0932\u0947 \u0964

\u092c\u0939\u0941\u092c\u0932\u0927\u093e\u0930\u093f\u0923\u0940\u0902 \u0928\u092e\u093e\u092e\u093f \u0924\u093e\u0930\u093f\u0923\u0940\u0902 \u0930\u093f\u092a\u0941\u0926\u0932\u0935\u093e\u0930\u093f\u0923\u0940\u0902 \u092e\u093e\u0924\u0930\u092e\u094d \u0964\u0964 \u0968 \u0964\u0964

\u0935\u0928\u094d\u0926\u0947 \u092e\u093e\u0924\u0930\u092e\u094d \u0964

\u0924\u0941\u092e\u093f \u0935\u093f\u0926\u094d\u092f\u093e, \u0924\u0941\u092e\u093f \u0927\u0930\u094d\u092e \u0924\u0941\u092e\u093f \u0939\u0943\u0926\u093f, \u0924\u0941\u092e\u093f \u092e\u0930\u094d\u092e \u0924\u094d\u0935\u0902 \u0939\u093f \u092a\u094d\u0930\u093e\u0923\u093e: \u0936\u0930\u0940\u0930\u0947 \u092c\u093e\u0939\u0941\u0924\u0947 \u0924\u0941\u092e\u093f \u092e\u093e \u0936\u0915\u094d\u0924\u093f, \u0939\u0943\u0926\u092f\u0947 \u0924\u0941\u092e\u093f \u092e\u093e \u092d\u0915\u094d\u0924\u093f, \u0924\u094b\u092e\u093e\u0930\u0908 \u092a\u094d\u0930\u0924\u093f\u092e\u093e \u0917\u0921\u093f \u092e\u0928\u094d\u0926\u093f\u0930\u0947-\u092e\u0928\u094d\u0926\u093f\u0930\u0947 \u092e\u093e\u0924\u0930\u092e\u094d \u0964\u0964 \u0969 \u0964\u0964

\u0935\u0928\u094d\u0926\u0947 \u092e\u093e\u0924\u0930\u092e\u094d \u0964

\u0924\u094d\u0935\u0902 \u0939\u093f \u0926\u0941\u0930\u094d\u0917\u093e \u0926\u0936\u092a\u094d\u0930\u0939\u0930\u0923\u0927\u093e\u0930\u093f\u0923\u0940 \u0915\u092e\u0932\u093e \u0915\u092e\u0932\u0926\u0932\u0935\u093f\u0939\u093e\u0930\u093f\u0923\u0940 \u0935\u093e\u0923\u0940 \u0935\u093f\u0926\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0926\u093e\u092f\u093f\u0928\u0940, \u0928\u092e\u093e\u092e\u093f \u0924\u094d\u0935\u093e\u092e\u094d \u0928\u092e\u093e\u092e\u093f \u0915\u092e\u0932\u093e\u0902 \u0905\u092e\u0932\u093e\u0902 \u0905\u0924\u0941\u0932\u093e\u0902 \u0938\u0941\u091c\u0932\u093e\u0902 \u0938\u0941\u092b\u0932\u093e\u0902 \u092e\u093e\u0924\u0930\u092e\u094d \u0964\u0964 \u096a \u0964\u0964

\u0935\u0928\u094d\u0926\u0947 \u092e\u093e\u0924\u0930\u092e\u094d \u0964

\u0936\u094d\u092f\u093e\u092e\u0932\u093e\u0902 \u0938\u0930\u0932\u093e\u0902 \u0938\u0941\u0938\u094d\u092e\u093f\u0924\u093e\u0902 \u092d\u0942\u0937\u093f\u0924\u093e\u0902 \u0927\u0930\u0923\u0940\u0902 \u092d\u0930\u0923\u0940\u0902 \u092e\u093e\u0924\u0930\u092e\u094d \u0964\u0964 \u096b \u0964\u0964

\u0935\u0928\u094d\u0926\u0947 \u092e\u093e\u0924\u0930\u092e\u094d \u0964\u0964<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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National Song of India in English<\/h3>\nMother, I bow to thee.
Rich with thy hurrying streams,
Bright with thy orchard gleams,
Cool with the winds of delight,
Dark fields waving, Mother of might,
Mother free.

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.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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3. Meaning of Vande Mataram Lyrics in English<\/strong><\/h3>\nI bow to thee, Mother

Mother, whose bounteous breast is lapped by the waves of the ocean,
Whose cool breezes are laden with the perfume of the mango groves,
Whose body is dark with the hue of ripe corn,
I bow to thee, Mother!

Mother, whose nights are brightened by the pure beams of the moon,
Whose mornings are vibrant with the blooming flowers of the trees,
Whose speech is sweet and gentle, whose blessings are bountiful,
I bow to thee, Mother!

I bow to thee, Mother!<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Difference Between National Anthem and National Song of India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Feature<\/th>National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana)<\/th>National Song (Vande Mataram)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Composer<\/strong><\/td>Rabindranath Tagore<\/td>Bankim Chandra Chatterjee<\/td><\/tr>
Language<\/strong><\/td>Bengali<\/td>Sanskrit<\/td><\/tr>
Adoption<\/strong><\/td>Officially adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on January 24, 1950<\/td>Adopted by the Constituent Assembly on July 24, 1950<\/td><\/tr>
Status<\/strong><\/td>Fundamental Duty to show respect, as per Article 51A of the Constitution<\/td>Not a fundamental duty<\/td><\/tr>
Occasions<\/strong><\/td>Played on formal state occasions, international events, and before movies in cinemas<\/td>Sung on patriotic occasions, cultural events, and during independence day celebrations<\/td><\/tr>
Nature<\/strong><\/td>Formal and solemn<\/td>More emotional and inspiring<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Significance of the National Song of India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Composition<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

1. Cultural Unity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

“Vande Mataram” played a vital role in uniting people from different parts of India. Despite the country’s linguistic and cultural diversity, the song’s powerful message of love for the motherland resonated with everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Inspiration for Freedom Fighters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The song was a source of inspiration and strength for many freedom fighters. Figures like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Bipin Chandra Pal often invoked “Vande Mataram” in their speeches and writings, urging people to fight for their freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Symbol of Patriotism<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even today, “Vande Mataram” is sung at various national events, instilling a sense of pride and patriotism in the hearts of Indians. It reminds everyone of the sacrifices made by countless individuals to achieve independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Role of the National Song of India in the Freedom Movement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

“Vande Mataram” played a crucial role in India’s fight for independence. Introduced into the national consciousness by Rabindranath Tagore’s first public performance at the Indian National Congress in 1886, the song soon became a unifying anthem. During the Swadeshi Movement of 1905, it was widely used to protest British policies, symbolizing self-reliance and resistance. Leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Aurobindo Ghosh encouraged its use, cementing its place in the freedom struggle. Despite British attempts to suppress it, “Vande Mataram” only grew in popularity, inspiring countless activists and citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n