The 77th Republic Day theme celebrated 150 years of Vande Mataram, the national song of India composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. First published on 7 November 1875, Vande Mataram was later incorporated in the 1882 novel Anandamath and became a rallying cry during the Indian independence movement. The song was first sung at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress by Rabindranath Tagore. On January 24, 1950, the Constituent Assembly adopted the first two stanzas as the national song. The theme was reflected across the parade's cultural performances and the Ministry of Culture's winning tableau 'Vande Mataram — The Soul Cry of a Nation'. The celebrations connected the song's anti-colonial spirit with modern India's aspirations under 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'.
150 Years of Vande Mataram: The National Song's Journey from Anandamath to Republic Day Theme
Republic Day theme celebrates 150 years of Vande Mataram (1876-2026); composed by Bankim Chandra, first sung at Congress session 1896.
Key facts
- 77th Republic Day theme celebrated 150 years of Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1876
- Vande Mataram first appeared in the 1882 novel Anandamath and was first sung at the 1896 Indian National Congress session by Rabindranath Tagore
- Constituent Assembly adopted the first two stanzas as the national song on January 24, 1950
- Ministry of Culture's tableau 'Vande Mataram — The Soul Cry of a Nation' won the best tableau award
- Theme connected the song's anti-colonial spirit with modern India's Atmanirbhar Bharat aspirations
Mains angle
Q: Trace the historical journey of Vande Mataram from its composition in 1876 to its role in India's freedom struggle and constitutional recognition.
Answer (50 words):
Written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1876, Vande Mataram appeared in his 1882 novel Anandamath and became a rallying cry of the independence movement. Rabindranath Tagore first sang it at the 1896 Indian National Congress session. On January 24, 1950, the Constituent Assembly adopted its first two stanzas as India's national song.
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Vande Mataram was first sung at which year's Indian National Congress session?
Vande Mataram was first sung by Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress in Calcutta. The song later became a major symbol of the freedom movement and was adopted as India's National Song by the Constituent Assembly in 1950. Therefore, among the given options, 1896 is correct.
Source: PIB
Frequently asked questions
What is Vande Mataram and what was its 150-year milestone in 2026?
**Vande Mataram** is India's national song, composed by **Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1876**. In 2026, it completed **150 years** — celebrated as the theme of the 77th Republic Day.
In which novel did Vande Mataram first appear?
Vande Mataram first appeared in Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's **1882 novel 'Anandamath'**.
When was Vande Mataram first sung at a political gathering?
Vande Mataram was **first sung at the 1896 Indian National Congress session** in Calcutta, becoming the rallying song of the independence movement.
What is the difference between Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana?
**Jana Gana Mana** (by Rabindranath Tagore) is India's **National Anthem**, while **Vande Mataram** (by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay) is the **National Song**. Both hold equal honour in the Indian Constitution.
Who composed Vande Mataram and when was it written?
**Vande Mataram was composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1876**. It appeared in his 1882 novel Anandamath and became the rallying cry of the Indian independence movement.
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