As India commemorated the 150th anniversary of the national song Vande Mataram on Friday, President Droupadi Murmu said the composition remains a timeless expression of the nation’s emotional consciousness, unity, and collective spirit. In a message posted on X, the President reflected on the historical significance of the song, its role in the freedom struggle, and the enduring power it holds in shaping India’s sense of nationhood even today.

President Murmu urged citizens to reaffirm their commitment to nurturing and protecting the country in the spirit envisioned by the song’s creator, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. Quoting key lines from the composition, she said that all Indians must take a “firm resolve” to keep Mother India endowed with “sujala” (good water), “sufala” (good and fertile fruit), and “sukhda” (happiness). She added that Vande Mataram is not just a cultural artefact but a guiding force, encouraging generations of Indians to honour the values of harmony, patriotism, and sacrifice that lie at the heart of the nation’s identity.

The President traced the origins of Vande Mataram to the latter half of the nineteenth century, when Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay composed the song against the backdrop of the Sannyasi rebellion and the growing discontent against British colonial rule. First published in the literary magazine Bangadarshan on November 7, 1875, the song quickly captivated the imagination of the public. Its evocative portrayal of India as a nurturing mother and its stirring appeal for national awakening made it one of the earliest artistic expressions of India’s rising consciousness as a nation in the making.

President Murmu noted that the song’s role in the freedom movement expanded significantly during the 1905 Swadeshi movement, when Bengal was partitioned by the British in an attempt to divide nationalist sentiment. As protests against the partition gained momentum, Vande Mataram emerged as a rallying cry for millions. It became a symbol of resistance, unity, and hope, echoing through the streets of Calcutta and beyond. Students, workers, political leaders, and ordinary people adopted the song as a badge of defiance against colonial authority, and it soon became inseparable from the collective struggle for independence.

“Since then, this song of reverence to Mother India has remained a proclamation of the emotional consciousness and unity of our countrymen, and it will continue to be so,” the President said, adding that the reverence with which the song has been held for more than a century reflects its deep connection to India’s cultural and political evolution. She also recalled that after independence, the country officially adopted Vande Mataram as its national song, recognising the pivotal role it had played in galvanising freedom fighters and shaping the ethos of the new republic.

This year’s anniversary holds particular significance, as it marks a century and a half since the song was first introduced to the public. Over the decades, Vande Mataram has transcended its literary origins to become one of the most enduring expressions of Indian nationalism. It has inspired revolutionaries, influenced political movements, provided emotional strength in moments of crisis, and nurtured a sense of shared identity across regions, languages, and cultures.

An official statement released on the occasion described the song as an “enduring anthem” that has inspired countless generations of freedom fighters and nation-builders. The statement highlighted the song’s contribution to shaping India’s national identity, noting that its imagery of a bountiful, compassionate, and powerful motherland resonates deeply with the ethos of the Indian civilisation. It also recalled that the song gained a new dimension when Rabindranath Tagore set it to music, enhancing its cultural impact and ensuring that its melody would be etched into the memory of the nation.

The 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram has led to renewed reflection on the cultural, philosophical, and political significance of the national song. Scholars have emphasised that while the composition arose from a specific historical moment, its themes remain universal: devotion to the motherland, the desire for collective prosperity, and the moral strength required to defend freedom and justice. The song’s influence extends beyond its immediate historical context; it has shaped India’s artistic, literary, and political expressions, from poetry and music to cinema and public oratory.

President Murmu’s message underscores how deeply Vande Mataram continues to be intertwined with India’s national consciousness. In a country as diverse as India, with its vast array of languages, religions, and cultural traditions, the song stands as a reminder of shared heritage and collective aspirations. It evokes not only the memory of the freedom struggle but also the responsibility carried by every generation to uphold the values for which the struggle was waged.

The President’s call for a renewed commitment to the ideals embodied in the song comes at a time when national conversations increasingly grapple with questions of unity, development, and cultural identity. By urging citizens to keep the nation “sujala, sufala, sukhda,” she has invoked an image of a vibrant and prosperous India rooted in compassion and harmony—an image central to the vision articulated by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay a century and a half ago.

As India observes this historic milestone, Vande Mataram remains more than a slogan or a ceremonial chant. It continues to function as a cultural touchstone and an emotional anchor, bridging generations and reminding citizens of their enduring bond with the motherland. Through periods of struggle and triumph, the song has retained its ability to unite, uplift, and inspire. On the 150th anniversary of its publication, President Murmu’s tribute reaffirms that the spirit of Vande Mataram—its reverence for the nation and its call for unity—remains as relevant today as it was in the days of the freedom movement.