Today is 186th birth anniversary of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay the writer of our national song .Bankim Chandra Chatterjee also known as Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was one of the greatest novelists and poets of India. He is famous as author of Vande Mataram, the national song of India. National song personifies India as a mother goddess, inspiring freedom fighters during the Indian Independence Movement and holding a special place in every Indian’s heart.

His name in Bengali language means ‘the moon on the second day of the bright fortnight’. People knew him as the ‘Emperor of Literature’ (Sahitya Samrat) in Bengali literature

                           He also heralded a new era for Bengali literature.He wrote first English and Bengali novels in India.

Vande Mataram has been India’s national song since 1937. Sung by generations of Indians to evoke the motherland, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote this song. Bankim wrote the lyrics in 1882, during the early stages of nationalism’s development.

The full version of the Anthem play time is approximately 52 seconds.

The full version of the Anthem shall be played on the following
occasions: –
i) Civil and Military investitures;
ii) When National Salute (which means the Command “Rashtriya
Salute – Salami Shastr” to the accompaniment of the National
Anthem is given on ceremonial occasions to the President or to the
Governor/Lieutenant Governor within their respective States/
Union Territories;
iii) During parades – irrespective of whether any of the dignitaries
referred to in (ii) above is present or not;
iv) On arrival of the President at formal State functions and other
functions organized by the Government and mass functions and on
his departure from such functions;
v) Immediately before and after the President addresses the Nation
over All India Radio;
vi) On arrival of the Governor/Lieutenant Governor at formal State
functions within his State/Union Territory and on his departure
from such functions;
vii) When the National Flag is brought on parade;
viii) When the Regimental Colours are presented;
ix) For hoisting of colours in the Navy.

He raised nationalism to the level of religion by identifying the Motherland with the Mother-Goddess.

HIS LITERARY WORKS

Rajmohan’s Wife, Durgeshnandini, Kapalkundala a monthly literary magazine. Bangadarshan ,Kamalakanter Daptar,Bishabriksha (The Poison Tree, 1873),Krishnakanta’s Will, 1878; His last work was Sitaram, published in 1886.

                          The contribution Bankim made to the nationalistic imagination was the political novel Anandamath. The novel was based on the ‘sannyasi rebellion’ of the late 18th century.

It was in Anandamath, that Bankim wrote the poem ‘Vande Mataram‘.The song personifies India as a mother goddess and inspired freedom fighters during the Indian Independence Movement and has a place of its own in every Indian’s heart.