Bankim chandra Chattopadhyay wrote a part of Vande Mataram in the 1870s; the song entire version appeared in the novel Ananda Math , in 1882.So 2006 cannot be the centenary year of Vande Mataram by any stretch of imagination.The HRD ministry,in its wisdom,decided to celebrate 2006 as the centenary year of Vande Mataram on the mistaken belief that Congress had decided to adopt it as the National Song in 1906.
This clearly shows how every govt. tries to harness history for its own own purpose.The BJP-led govt. tried its best to give a Hindutva spin to history.The UPA government is no better as has been shown by the Vande Mataram controversy.Next year,there is sure to be more fireworks when the 150th anniversary of 1857 will be celebrated.
History is,of course,never entirely free of ideology and biases.But a responsible govt. must try,as much as possible ,to present history,in a balanced and impartial manner and leave citizens to draw their own conclusions.
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Officially National Song since 1906, hence centenary year!!!
Vande Mataram
Bankin Chandra composed the song Vande Mataram in an inspired moment, Rabindranath sang it by setting a glorious tune to it and it was left to the genius of Shri Aurobindo to interpret the deeper meaning of the song out of which India received the philosophy of new Nationalism.
The English translation of Vande Mataram rendered by Shree Aurobindo, is considered as official and best as per Bhavan's book, Vande Mataram by Moni Bagchee (pg. 66).
Anniversary???
Created on 7th november,1875,it was adopted as a National Song on 7th September,1906. Hence 7th September is regarded as its anniversary.
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