Vande Mataram or the National Song will be sung from the ramparts of the Red Fort in New Delhi for the first time on Independence Day, preceding the National Anthem. It is also the 150th anniversary of the adoption of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s Vande Mataram as the National Song. But the original adopted version included only the first two stanzas. Recently, the Centre notified that all six stanzas would have to be sung.
The Centre issued guidelines on February 11, 2026, for the rendition of the National Song at public gatherings, schools, and official government functions, among others. This comes after the passing of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2026, which amended the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. It is now a criminal offence to intentionally disrupt, obstruct, or prevent the singing of the Vande Mataram.
The duration of singing and specific directions for playing by a band, among other rules, have also been mentioned in the circular.
The circular mentions that the National Song Vande Mataramshall be played or sung before the National Anthem‘Jana Gana Mana’ on all occasions when both are to be played or sung.
The total duration of the National Song must be “approximately 3 minutes 10 seconds.”
If played by a band, it should be preceded by a “by a roll of drums to assist the audience to know that the National Song is going to be played, unless there is some other specific indication that the National Song is about to be played, as for example, when fanfares are sounded before the National Song is played.”
The circular adds that “the duration of the roll, in terms of marching drill, will be 7 paces in slow march. The roll will start slowly, ascend to as loud a volume as possible and then gradually decreases to original softness, but remaining audible until the seventh beat. One beat rest will then be observed before commencing the National Song.”
The National Song shall be played accompanied by mass singing on these occasions:
The circular mentions specific rules of standing when the National Song is played or sung:
The directive has given the lyrics for the National Song, and it includes all six stanzas of Vande Mataram. The lyrics to be sung or played are as follows:
Sujalam suphalam malayaja-sitalam,
Sasya-syamalam Mataram!
Subhra-jyotsnam pulakita-yaminim,
Phulla-kusumita druma-dala-sobhinim,
Suhasinim sumadhura bhasinim,
Sukhadam varadam Mataram!
Koti-koti kantha kalakala ninada karale,
Koti-koti bhujair dhrta kharakaravale,
Ke bole Ma tumi abale!
Bahubaladharinim namami tarinim,
Ripudala-varinim Mataram!
Tumi vidya, tumi dharma,
Tumi hrdi, tumi marma,
Tvam hi pranah sarire!
Bahute tumi Ma sakti,
Hrdaye tumi Ma bhakti,
Tomarai pratima gadi mandire-mandire.
Tvam hi Durga dasa-praharana-dharini,
Kamala kamala-dala-viharini,
Vani vidya-dayini,
Namami tvam namami kamalam,
Sujalam suphalam Mataram!
Syamalam saralam susmitam bhusitam,
Dharanim bharanim Mataram!
Published - August 13, 2026 01:26 pm IST
Source: The Hindu - India News
