Historic first at Red Fort: Full ‘Vande Mataram’ rendition marks 150 years of song
New Delhi: A historic moment unfolded at Delhi’s Red Fort on the occasion of India’s 80th Independence Day, with the full version of ‘Vande Mataram’ played for the first time during the national celebrations led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The rendition came as the country marks 150 years since the composition of ‘Vande Mataram’. Following the playing of the song, the national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ was performed.
After Prime Minister Modi hoisted the Tricolour, a 21-gun salute was presented by the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial) using indigenously manufactured 105 mm light field guns. The Indian Army band subsequently performed ‘Vande Mataram’.
Two Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopters also took part in the ceremony, showering flower petals over the Red Fort. One helicopter carried the national flag, while the other displayed the ‘Vande Mataram’ flag.
Prime Minister Modi said in his address that this was the first time since Independence that the full version of ‘Vande Mataram’ had been played at the Red Fort.
Composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the song became a powerful symbol of India’s freedom struggle. It was first sung by Rabindranath Tagore at the Indian National Congress session in Kolkata in 1896.
The development comes amid the government’s recent move to provide legal protection to ‘Vande Mataram’ through amendments to the law concerning prevention of insults to national honour.
