‘Vande Mataram’ sung at Red Fort for first time on Independence Day
In a first for Independence Day celebrations, 'Vande Mataram' was rendered at the Red Fort complex during the 79th anniversary of the historic occasion on August 15, followed by the recitation of the national anthem at the grand event.
The mega function commemorated 150 years of the enduring legacy of the national song, 'Vande Mataram'. Floral decorations on the ramparts depicted the national flag at the centre, flanked by 'Vande Mataram' written in Hindi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort amid patriotic fervour and multi-layered security.
An Army band played the tune of 'Vande Mataram' as guests present at the occasion sang the national song. This was followed by the prime minister hoisting the national flag and the recitation of the national anthem.
After the flag hoisting, the Tricolour received a 'Rashtriya Salute'.
Following this, flower petals were showered at the venue by two Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force — one carrying the national flag and the other carrying a flag depicting 'Vande Mataram'.
Written in 1875 by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, 'Vande Mataram' became a rallying cry during the freedom movement. It was adopted as India's national song by the Constituent Assembly in 1950.
The government last November launched a year-long celebration to mark 150 years of 'Vande Mataram'.
'Vande Mataram' was initially composed independently and later included in Chatterjee's novel 'Anandamath'. It was first sung by Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 Congress Session in Calcutta (now Kolkata).
The chant 'Vande Mataram' was first used as a political slogan on August 7, 1905, according to a note titled '150 Years of Vande Mataram: A Melody That Became a Movement', shared by the government on November 6 last year.
'Vande Mataram' was first published in the literary journal 'Bangadarshan' on November 7, 1875. Later, Chatterjee incorporated the hymn into his novel 'Anandamath', published in 1882. The song was set to music by Tagore, according to the note.
