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Gujarat's Vande Mataram Tableau Honors 150 Years of Swadeshi & Freedom

Gujarat's Republic Day tableau commemorated the 150th anniversary of the iconic song 'Vande Mataram', highlighting its role in awakening national consciousness. It paid tribute to revolutionaries like Madam Bhikhaji Cama who carried India's message of freedom abroad. The display traced the evolution of the national flag from the Swadeshi movement to its final adoption. The tableau symbolically linked Mahatma Gandhi's Swadeshi and the charkha to the modern vision of a self-reliant India.

Key Points: Gujarat's R-Day Tableau Celebrates 150 Years of Vande Mataram

  • 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram
  • Tribute to Bhikhaji Cama and revolutionaries
  • Evolution of the national flag showcased
  • Links Swadeshi to Aatmanirbhar Bharat
2 min read

R-Day 2026: Gujarat's 'Vande Mataram' tableau showcases timeless mantra of Swadeshi, self-reliance, and freedom

Gujarat's Republic Day tableau marks 150 years of Vande Mataram, honoring Bhikhaji Cama and linking Swadeshi to Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

"Vande Mataram is the timeless mantra that awakened the spirit of Swadeshi, self-reliance, and freedom. - Article"

New Delhi, January 26

Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the iconic song Vande Mataram, the Gujarat tableau in the Republic Day Parade on Monday highlighted the anthem's role in igniting the spirit of Swadeshi, self-reliance, and freedom in India's national movement, while honouring the revolutionaries who carried India's message of independence to the world.

'Vande Mataram' is the timeless mantra that awakened the spirit of Swadeshi, self-reliance, and freedom in India's national consciousness. Marking the 150th anniversary of the song, the tableau pays tribute to Madam Bhikhaji Cama of Navsari, Gujarat, who, along with revolutionaries Shyamji Krishna Varma and Sardar Singh Rana, carried India's message of freedom to foreign soil.

Her Vande Mataram flag, first unfurled in Paris in 1907 and later presented at the Indian Socialist Conference in Stuttgart, stands as a symbol of India's revolutionary voice abroad. This legacy is harmoniously linked with Mahatma Gandhi's propagation of Swadeshi through the charkha and its relevance to the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

At the front of the tableau stood Madam Bhikhaji Cama holding her self-designed Vande Mataram flag, with the slogan inscribed below in multiple Constitution-recognised Indian languages. The central section traces key milestones in the evolution of the national flag, from the Swadeshi movement at Parsi Bagan, Kolkata in 1906, to the Home Rule flag of 1917, Pingali Venkayya's design presented to Mahatma Gandhi in 1921, its near adoption in 1931, and finally the acceptance of the tricolour with the Dharma Chakra by the Constituent Assembly on 22 July 1947.

The tableau concludes with a sculpture of Mahatma Gandhi, symbolising freedom through Swadeshi and the charkha, set against a grand Dharma Chakra. Folk artists performing to Kasumbino Rang, composed by Zaverchand Meghani, infused the tableau with patriotic fervour, honouring the sacrifices that shaped India's freedom and continue to inspire a self-reliant nation today.

Republic Day marks a defining milestone in India's national journey. It marks the day the Constitution of India came into force on January 26, 1950, formally establishing the country as a 'Sovereign Democratic Republic'.

While independence on August 15, 1947, ended colonial rule, it was the adoption of the Constitution that completed India's transition to self-governance based on law, institutional accountability, and the will of the Indians.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Beautiful representation by Gujarat. Vande Mataram still gives me goosebumps. It's heartening to see the focus on the evolution of our national flag – every Indian should know that history. The folk performance must have been the cherry on top!
D
David E
As someone who has lived in India for a few years now, I find the depth of history and symbolism in these celebrations truly remarkable. The tableau seems to perfectly capture the journey from struggle to self-reliance. Well done.
R
Rohit P
While I appreciate the effort, I feel the tableau could have also highlighted contributions from other regions more prominently. Our freedom struggle was a pan-India effort. A bit more balance would have been good.
S
Shreya B
My nani used to tell me stories about the charkha and Swadeshi. Seeing it all come alive in the parade, connecting the past to PM's Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, fills me with pride. Our history is our strength!
K
Karthik V
Fantastic concept! Honouring Bhikhaji Cama is long overdue. She designed the flag and hoisted it in Stuttgart... such bravery! This is the real history we need to teach in schools, not just the textbook versions.

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