Vande Mataram began as a novel part

• Vande Mataram originated in Bankim Chandra's 1882 novel Anandamath
• It became a unifying cry for freedom fighters during the Swadeshi era
• Only the first two stanzas were adopted as the national song in 1950

Every Indian knows 'Vande Mataram', the song that stirs deep feelings of national pride. But this anthem of a nation began its life as a piece of a much larger narrative, embedded within the pages of a revolutionary 19th-century novel.

The Abbey of Bliss

The story of 'Vande Mataram' begins with its creator, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, a towering figure in Bengali literature. In 1882, he published his novel, 'Anandamath' (The Abbey of Bliss). Set against the grim backdrop of the great Bengal famine of 1770 and the Sannyasi Rebellion that followed, the book tells a story of resistance. The novel follows a group of ascetic warrior monks, the 'Santans' (Children), who have renounced worldly attachments to fight against oppression and liberate their motherland. 'Anandamath' was more than just a story; it was a powerful work of political fiction that conceptualised India as a mother goddess, 'Bharat Mata', who needed to be saved by her children.

A Hymn Within The Novel

It is within this fictional world of rebellion and sacrifice that 'Vande Mataram' first appears. The song is presented as a hymn sung by the Santans, a sacred ode to the motherland personified as divine. Interestingly, evidence suggests Chattopadhyay wrote the poem in the 1870s, even before the novel was published, and later incorporated it into the narrative of 'Anandamath'. The song served as the emotional and spiritual core of the novel, a rallying cry for its characters. The first two stanzas, which are now the official national song, are a lyrical tribute to the beauty of the motherland, rich with flowing streams and fruitful groves.

From Fiction to Freedom Cry

The song did not remain confined to the pages of the book for long. It took on a life of its own, becoming a powerful tool for the Indian independence movement. In 1896, Rabindranath Tagore performed the song at a session of the Indian National Congress, giving it a national platform. Its status exploded during the Swadeshi movement following the 1905 partition of Bengal, when 'Vande Mataram!' became a unifying slogan shouted by protestors in marches and processions. The British authorities, recognizing its power to unite people, banned the public singing of the song, which only served to make it more revolutionary. For freedom fighters, singing 'Vande Mataram' became an act of defiance and patriotism.

A Song of Stature and Debate

When India gained independence, the question of a national anthem arose. 'Vande Mataram' was the foremost contender due to its historic role in the freedom struggle. However, a debate emerged. The later stanzas of the full poem contain explicit references to Hindu deities like Durga, which led leaders to believe it might not be suitable for a secular nation with diverse communities. After deliberation by a committee that included Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Azad and Rabindranath Tagore, a compromise was reached. On January 24, 1950, Rajendra Prasad, the president of the Constituent Assembly, announced that 'Jana Gana Mana' would be the national anthem. 'Vande Mataram', in recognition of its immense historical significance, would be honoured equally and designated as India's national song. It was decided that only the first two, non-denominational stanzas would be officially adopted.