Republic Day 2025 to Spotlight 150th Anniversary of Vande Mataram
The 77th Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on Monday will be centered around a powerful theme: the 150th anniversary of India's national song, Vande Mataram. This timeless composition, described as a mantra that awakened the spirit of Swadeshi, self-reliance, and freedom in the national consciousness, will form the core of this year's patriotic display.
Elaborate Decorations and Year-Long Commemoration
Kartavya Path, stretching from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the National War Memorial, has been elaborately decorated for the occasion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a year-long commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, which will culminate on November 7, 2025, according to news agency ANI.
The Ministry of Defence has stated that the celebrations will present an extraordinary blend of the 150-year legacy of Vande Mataram, the country's unprecedented developmental progress, robust military strength, vibrant cultural diversity, and active participation from citizens across all walks of life.
Historical Artworks and Tableaux Display
A distinguished series of paintings created by Tejendra Kumar Mitra in 1923, illustrating the verses of Vande Mataram and published in the Bande Mataram Album, is being displayed as view-cutters along Kartavya Path. This artistic display connects the historical significance of the song with contemporary celebrations.
As many as 30 tableaux—17 from States and Union Territories and 13 from Ministries, Departments, and Services—will roll down Kartavya Path under the broad themes of 'Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram' and 'Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. These tableaux will showcase:
- The 150-year journey of the national song
- The nation's rapid progress driven by growing self-reliance across sectors
- Rich and vibrant cultural diversity infused throughout the displays
The Historical Significance of Vande Mataram
Adopted as India's National Song by the Constituent Assembly in 1950, Vande Mataram was initially composed independently and later included in Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's novel Anandamath, published in 1882. The song was first sung by Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 Congress session in Calcutta and was set to music by him.
Vande Mataram, which translates to "Mother, I Bow to Thee," has inspired generations of freedom fighters and nation builders and remains a lasting emblem of India's national identity and collective spirit. It has become an integral part of the nation's civilisational, political, and cultural consciousness.
From Regional Anthem to National Symbol
Popularized during the Swadeshi and anti-partition movements, the song soon transcended regional boundaries to emerge as an anthem of national awakening. From Bengal to Bombay and the plains of Punjab, its refrain echoed as a symbol of resistance against colonial rule. British efforts to suppress its rendition only heightened its patriotic significance, transforming it into a moral force that united people across caste, creed, and language.
Leaders, students, and revolutionaries drew strength from its verses, reciting it at political gatherings, demonstrations, and even before imprisonment. During the turbulent days of 1905, amid the anti-partition and Swadeshi movement in Bengal, the appeal of the song and slogan became especially powerful. At the Varanasi session of the Indian National Congress that year, Vande Mataram was adopted for all-India occasions.
Parliamentary Recognition and Youth Initiatives
Parliament marked 150 years of the national song in December 2025 with special discussions in both Houses, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The debates traced the song's history and included references to the 1937 Congress decision to adopt only its first two stanzas. The government has also launched initiatives nationwide to connect the youth with the song's original spirit.
Grand Finale and Tribute
At the conclusion of the Republic Day parade, a banner bearing 'Vandemataram' will be unveiled, accompanied by the release of rubber balloons, marking a fitting tribute to the enduring spirit of the nation. This visual spectacle will serve as a powerful reminder of how Vande Mataram has evolved from a regional composition to a unifying national symbol that continues to inspire Indians across generations.
The 2025 Republic Day celebrations thus represent not just a commemoration of constitutional values, but also a deep engagement with the cultural and historical roots that have shaped modern India's identity and aspirations.
