Vande Mataram wins hearts and minds!

We talked about the Indian National Anthem- Jana Gana Mana recently on the occasion of our Independence Day. And we spoke a bit about Vande Mataram on our radio show. Vande Mataram, the national song of India is in the news again for two reasons.

First, today marks the centenary of the adoption of this beautiful song written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee as the national song of India. The song was originally composed in 1876.

Secondly, Vande Mataram has been voted as the second most Favourite Song in the World, after the Irish song- A Nation Once Again. That is certainly a huge recognition! BBC news Link.

Vande Mataram was first sung at the Indian Congress Sessions in early 1900's among many by Rabindranath Tagore and Sarala Devi Chaudurani. It was quickly adopted as the national cry for freedom against the British occupation. Read more on Wiki. [Link]

On the occasion of adopting a National Anthem Dr. Rajendra Prasad accounced to the Constituent Assembly "The composition consisting of words and music known as Jana Gana Mana is the National Anthem of India, subject to such alterations as the Government may authorise as occasion arises, and the song Vande Mataram, which has played a historic part in the struggle for Indian freedom, shall be honored equally with Jana Gana Mana and shall have equal status with it."

Hopefully the current governments won't make a mockery of the sanctity of the song by haggling as to who should sing it and who shouldn't.

वन्दे मातरम्
सुजलां सुफलां मलयजशीतलाम्
बहुबलधारिणीं नमामि तारिणीम्
रिपुदलवारिणीं मातरम्॥

Vande Mataram!!