India, Dec. 8 -- This year, marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, it would be of interest to revisit the parliamentary history of the national song of the nation. Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in the late 19th century, became one of the most stirring expressions of patriotism during the freedom struggle. Its vision of the motherland as a source of strength, nourishment and moral purpose created a shared emotional vocabulary for courage and sacrifice.

Before Independence, it travelled from public meetings and marches into formal political spaces. In 1937, when Congress ministries took office in several provinces, Vande Mataram began to be sung inside legislative chambers. This marked one of the earliest mo...