Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Vande Mataram Sung Before National Anthem on 80th Independence Day
India had a big birthday party on Independence Day because the country turned 80 years old.
A leader named Narendra Modi spoke to everyone from a famous old fort called the Red Fort.
This year, the party had something new.
Before the country's special song, the national anthem, was played, another very important song called Vande Mataram was sung first.
This was the first time ever this happened at the Independence Day celebrations.
Vande Mataram is a very old and special song for India.
It was written long ago by a man named Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.
The song just turned 150 years old last November.
Because of that big birthday, the government wants to celebrate the song all year long, which is why it was sung this year too.
For the first time in history, Vande Mataram was sung before the national anthem at India's Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort as India marked its 80th Independence Day.
The national song was performed upon the arrival of the Prime Minister, a new addition to this year's celebrations.
Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, completed 150 years last November.
The government is planning yearlong nationwide celebrations to mark the national song's 150th anniversary.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation, and India's government included the national song Vande Mataram in the celebrations.
- What
- For the first time in history, Vande Mataram was sung before the national anthem Jana Gana Mana during the Independence Day celebrations.
- When
- On India's 80th Independence Day; the national song had completed 150 years last November.
- Where
- Red Fort, New Delhi.
- Why
- The addition came as Vande Mataram completed 150 years last November, with the government planning yearlong nationwide celebrations.
- Event
- India's 80th Independence Day celebrations
- Location
- Red Fort, New Delhi
- Speaker
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the ramparts
- New tradition
- Vande Mataram sung before the national anthem for the first time in history
- National song composer
- Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
- Milestone
- Vande Mataram completed 150 years last November
- Government plan
- Yearlong nationwide celebrations of the national song