Jana Gana Mana and Vande Matram: Significance of January 24

Celebrating Constitution

Every January 26, India celebrates Republic Day, marking the adoption of its constitution in 1950. This document defines India as a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic.

Three Days of Festivities

Since 2022, celebrations begin on January 23 to commemorate Subhash Chandra Bose. However, January 24 held historical importance until then.

National Anthem & Song Adopted

On January 24, 1950, India adopted Jana Gana Mana as its national anthem and Vande Mataram as its national song.

National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana)

On January 24, 1950, Jana Gana Mana officially became Indias National Anthem. This marked the culmination of a journey for the song, originally titled Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata in Bengali.

Powerful Symbol

Composed by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, Jana Gana Mana transcends language to embody Indias spirit of unity and its rich cultural tapestry.

From Verse to Anthem

Only the first stanza of the song was chosen as the official National Anthem, with a formal rendition lasting approximately 52 seconds.

Voice for Independence

First sung publicly in 1911, Jana Gana Mana resonated with the nations yearning for freedom, even before its official adoption.

National Song (Vande Mataram)

Written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1876, Vande Mataram first appeared in his novel Anandamath. Soon, the songs powerful lyrics resonated with freedom fighters, becoming a rallying cry for independence.

Banned & Defied

Despite a British ban on both the song and novel, Vande Mataram persisted as a symbol of defiance. Many individuals even faced imprisonment for singing it, highlighting its significance in the struggle for freedom.

Official Recognition:

After Indias independence, Vande Mataram was officially adopted as the nations song on January 24, 1950. Originally written in Sanskrit and Bengali, it continues to evoke feelings of patriotism and unity within India.