Vande Mataram: India’s National Song and Its Historic Legacy

New Delhi: “Vande Mataram,” India’s revered national song, has long been a symbol of the country’s struggle for independence and patriotic pride. Penned by eminent poet and novelist Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the song was first composed in his village Kantalpada, Bengal, on November 7, 1876. It made its public debut in 1896 at the Congress session in Calcutta, nearly 51 years before India gained independence.

The song played a crucial role during India’s freedom movement, inspiring countless freedom fighters and serving as a subtle act of defiance against British colonial rule. The musical composition of the song was later arranged by Rabindranath Tagore, earning it a place of pride in the heart of every Indian.

The Government of India has recently issued official guidelines for the singing and instrumental performance of Vande Mataram. According to these rules, official programs must now feature the six-verse version of the song, which must be performed within a fixed duration of 3 minutes and 10 seconds.

The Six Verses of Vande Mataram

1. Verse 1:
   Vande Mataram
   Su-jalam su-phalam malayaja-shitalam
   Shasya-shyamalam Mataram
   Shubhra-jyotsna-pulakita-yamini
   Phulla-kusumita-drumadala-shobhinim
   Suhasini sumadhura-bhashinim
   Sukhadaam varadaam Mataram
   Vande Mataram
2. Verse 2:
   Vande Mataram
   Koti-koti-kantha-kal-kal-ninada-karale
   Koti-koti-bhujai-dhrita-kharkaravale
   Abala kena ma et bale
   Bahubala-dharinim namami tarinim
   Ripudal-Varinim Mataram
   Vande Mataram
3. Verse 3:
   Vande Mataram
   Tumi Vidya, Tumi Dharma
   Tumi Hridi, Tumi Marma
   Tvam hi pranah sharire
   Bahute tumi ma shakti
   Hridaye tumi ma bhakti
   Tomarai pratima gadi
   Mandire-mandire Mataram
   Vande Mataram
4. Verse 4:
   Vande Mataram
   Tvam hi Durga, dashapraharaṇa-dhāriṇī
   Kamala kamaladala-vihārini
   Vani vidya-dāyini
   Namami tvam, namami kamalam amalam atulam
   Sujalam suphalam Mataram
   Vande Mataram
5. Verse 5:
   Vande Mataram
   Shyamalam saralam susmitam bhushitam
   Dharanim bharanim Mataram
   Shatru-dal-Varinim Mataram
   Vande Mataram
6. Verse 6:
   Vande Mataram
   Tvam hi Shakti, tvam hi Shakti
   Tvam hi Shakti Mataram
   Vande Mataram

This timeless composition continues to evoke patriotism and national pride, serving as a reminder of India’s hard-fought freedom and the courage of its people.