Vandemataram inspired a true sense of patriotism amongst Bharatiyas.
These were the very words, which ultimately avoided the partition
of Bengal, and these were the words recited in the end, by numerous
Bharatiya revolutionaries while facing the gallows. It will be
appropriate to glance over the inspirations of its writer poet-Bankimchandra
Chattopadhyay, in creating such a great song. Although a sudden
flux of energy made him write it instantly, many events have acted
as trigger.
The first runner of the Indian National Congress was a gathering
started in 1867- The Hindu Mela. In its second convention
(11th April 1868), Bankimchandra heard a song 'Jai Bharat,
Jai' and was greatly influenced by its content. He started
thinking on a need of a universal, patriotic message to fellow
Bharatiyas.
It was needed! Badly needed!The atrocities of the British rulers
were attaining new heights. Comparatively and sadly enough, no
corresponding resistance to these atrocities was offered. Bankim
felt sad about this mindset of his countrymen. In his times,
Vande Mataram did not acquire so much importance in Indian
hearts, as compared to later years. But surely, it provided a
common chord of brotherhood provided the right stimuli for the
Indians. Ancient Indian tradition worships 'Mother' as
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a sacred deity, a mother, her love and affection towards her
children, the pains she takes to bring up the child, have given
this unparalleled position in our culture. Obviously, Bankim portrayed
the nation as the 'Mother' itself and hailed her.In fact, he was
searching for the right words. Words, with power and zeal, which
will chant the ultimate praise of the motherland. The year
was 1875. Not even in the creations (poems) of the great poets
like Bhavabhuti, Kalidas that such powerful words could he find.
On the 7th of November, 1875 he was quietly meditating
in a house on the banks of Ganga, night was tranquil and flux
of full moon was showering on the waters of Ganga. Suddenly Bankimda
could hear the folklore of Bengal's fishermen. It was saying that
"for us, the river Ganga is nothing else but mother Durga. Easily
will we sacrifice our lives for her, within her." That was the
right tone, the right feeling Bankimchandra was looking for. Durga
is the warrior goddess, with the lion as the chariot. Although
a mother, a woman she is, destroying the enemy with a weapon in
hand. This stance of the mother was what was needed.
And thus was born the Indian national song Vande Mataram. The
day was 7th November 1875 Kartik Shuddha Navami, Hindu year
1797.
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