‘Vande Mataram' (meaning ‘I bow to thee, Mother’), a poem from the 1882 novel Anandamatha by Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay had inspired many to take part in the struggle for Indian freedom. But after we got freedom and independence, for the later generation it became just a song to be played on 15th August and 26th January till somebody from southern music industry took the two words ‘Vande Mataram’ and spun it to have modern appeal to the theme of the song. The lyrics were completely changed but the spirit remained the same - ‘I bow to thee, Mother’.
AR Rahman added some magical musical punches to the song and it soon became the audio for Sony TV when it is not airing any entertainment program during 12AM to 6AM slot. Young generation like me used to hear and tap foot on the beats of this song. We felt connect between freedom/independence with newer generation like ours.
The earlier generation cherished and narrated freedom struggle to our generation but never promoted it through mass media except for few film makers who made classic patriotic films. But it was mostly confined to the older generations. Somehow, the newer generation was never smelled the aroma of patriotism. But the Bharatbala production’s work changed that completely. Just one song pulled the entire nation’s new generation together for a ride of exotic locations of various parts on India.
Find that song here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0-z1zZ7ad0&feature=related.
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