Why in News?
Union Government has issued new guidelines for the rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’, India’s National Song. It mandates that all six stanzas of the official version be rendered first when performed along with the National Anthem.
Vande Mataram
Composition
- Written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875
- First published in Bangadarshan journal
- Later included in his novel Anandamath (1882)
Political & Historical Significance
- First sung publicly by Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 INC Session (Calcutta)
- Became a symbol of India’s freedom struggle
- Used as a rallying cry against British rule
Global Recognition
- Madam Bhikaji Cama unfurled India’s early flag with Vande Mataram” inscribed in Stuttgart (1907)
Constitutional Status
- On 24 January 1950, the Constituent Assembly:
- Declared ‘Vande Mataram’ as National Song
- Granted it status “equal in honour” to National Anthem (‘Jana Gana Mana’)
- Initially, only the first two stanzas were officially adopted
