India Marks 150 Years of Iconic 'Vande Mataram' with National Celebration

As India approaches a momentous milestone, the nation is gearing up to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the iconic national song 'Vande Mataram'. On November 7th, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a year-long celebration to honor this cultural and historic landmark.

Vande Mataram, written by Bankimchandra Chatterji in 1875, has profoundly shaped India's national consciousness. The poem, which invokes the motherland as a figure of strength and divinity, became a rallying cry for political activists and freedom fighters during the colonial era. Its electrifying impact soon spread beyond literature, with Rabindranath Tagore reciting it at a Congress session in 1896.

Despite being banned by British authorities, the popularity of Vande Mataram only deepened. On January 24, 1950, as India prepared to adopt its Constitution, Dr. Rajendra Prasad declared that the song would be accorded equal honor with the national anthem, 'Jana Gana Mana'.

Now, 150 years after its composition, the Government of India is spearheading a nationwide celebration to commemorate this historic milestone. The launch event on November 7th, 2025, will feature a cultural program, a curated exhibition, and a grand musical presentation. The highlight will be a synchronized mass singing of the full version of Vande Mataram across the country, led by the Prime Minister.

The year-long commemoration aims to engage citizens in honoring a song that continues to evoke devotion, unity, and a shared sense of national identity. As India celebrates this cultural and literary landmark, the legacy of Vande Mataram will undoubtedly continue to inspire generations to come.