The Pologue to Anandmath begins with the picturesque description of forest which suggest immensity, darkness, ancestral wisdom and spiritual light. These lines evoke a sense of mystery and spiritual depth celebrating serene yet powerful imagery of ecological wealth of mother India “Very, very vast indeed, was the forest. Huge trees stood in the endless rows. They entwined each other warmly, and danced with joyous waves in the air. Such was the thickness of the forest even the blinding light of hot summer days was not visible on the ground .No human dared on these grounds” (Anandmath, p27).The forest becomes a metaphor for natural vitality and serenity which Bankm Chandra Chatterji meticulously weaves into a plethora of imagery, highlighting the richness, diversity and opulence of Bharat mata in the verses of Vande Mataram.
Environmental imagery in the pologue
The environmental imagery in the prologue of Anandmath takes the reader in a landscape that is both beautiful and forbidding, highlighting nature’s power and mystery. The vast forest with endless interlocking trees and canopy creates vivid natural setting untouched by human influence and where the supremacy of silence reigns over cacophonous clamors. Anandmath uses forest imagery to convey nationalism by portraying the forest as a powerful and symbolic space symbolizing India – vast, dominant and resistant to external domination. The wilderness symbolizes the physical and spiritual strength of India. The territory of Bharat mata must be protected and reclaimed which further unfolds in the novel.
The forest is sacred, safe sanctuary for the Sanyasis who derive strength and succour from the immensity and density of the forest. However, forest remains a concurrent imagery in the forest, protecting, sustaining and replenishing the revolutionaries with fresh energy for the freedom of Mother country. The forest’s protective and nurturing characteristics go with the depiction of India as a mother figure, making the natural environment a central image for the nationalistic goals of Anandmath. Rabindranath Tagore rightly said, “The novel is a legend of struggle for freedom, and the passion behind it seems to reflect Bunkum’s vision of free India”. In the verses of Vande Matram Bankim uses the imagery of nature aesthetically and musically.
Vande Matram the expression of environmental energy
The theme of environmental harmony runs lyrically in the verses of Vande Matram. These imageries make this lyrical ode, an ode to nature which establishes a strong bond between the land and its people which they call home. Bankim gives a divine and spiritual touch to this land by making it mother. The physical and spiritual abundance of this mother land figures in a set of imagery evoking the patriotic fervor in the heart of listener. The song is replete with vivid description of the motherland: “Sujalam, suphalam, malayas shitlam, shasyashyamalam”, “Richly watered, richly fruited, cool with the winds of south verdant with the harvest of grains”. Here imagery is visible and audible ones, immediately connecting the reader with the rich resources of mother land. These lines present a picture of India’s natural abundance, her rivers, water resources and cool breeze, fields and the very nurturing spirit of the land itself. Bankim personifies the mother land as a divine mother, giver of all natural resources. The imagery in the above lines evokes richness an diversity with which our land has been gifted by the benevolent nature.
The divine mother and ecological connotations
Bankim Chandra compares the mother land with a Goddess; the song elevates the nature and the environment to a spiritual level. Here the land is not only seen as a geographical entity, but abode of sustenance, happiness and well-being. The depiction of cool breezes, fertile fields and ‘smiling forests’ are blessings of the countless blessings of a mother touched by love and reverence. The message is loud and clear that we must respect these natural bounties for the welfare of the mother land. This deep ecological bond reminds the nation that the well –being of the people is intimately connected to the preservation of rivers, crops, and fields. The ecological connotations of these verses whereas, glorify the mother land, it also resolves the ecological commitment.
These lines “Subhrajyotsna pulakit yaaminim, phulla kusmita dhrumadal shobhinim” paint a serene and beautiful scene of nature. A glowing night illuminated by soft moonlight, nature bursting with delicate flowers, trees with lush leaves creating a protective canopy. The entire atmosphere is charged with serene and joyous vibes. The poet paints here nature as alive, tender, aesthetically soothing and spiritually uplifting. Here one can feel living and breathing presence of nature in its beauty. The moonlight become a celestial sentinel, the night becomes sentient being filled with ecstasy, flowers give their fragrance like gentle sighs and trees with lush green leaves, act as gentle attendants. Moon, night, flowers, trees and leaves have been personified to paint a scene of sacred tranquility, where nature appears both intimate and wonder. The ecological connotations of these verses show the symbiotic relationship between man and nature. There is an aura of serene divinity in these verses evoking the becalmed impulses of nature as giver, protector and preserver.
Cultural and national identity
The environmental symbolism in “Vande Matram” voices India’s identity: a country of immense diversity of cultures, landscapes and ecosystem. The anthem reflects a living bond between the people and the “Mother Earth”. Every time we sing this anthem, we find new meaning in respecting and protecting her. It incessantly reminds us to keep the living tradition of gratitude toward nature and a call to preserve it for the future. Undoubtedly, Vande Matram’s verses remain a timeless invocation, reminding all of us of the duty to protect and cherish both the nation and the natural wealth that sustains us. These verses are replete with metaphors for the motherland, thus establishing a bond between man and nature, its vast resources and landscapes, These fill us with a sense of pride and nationalism. Like Mahendra Singh in Anand Math these lines were destined to transform lives of many people during the freedom struggle:
Mother, hail !
Thou with sweet springs flowing,
Though fair fruits bestowing,
Cool with zephyrs, blowing
Green with corn-crops growing
Mother, hail !…
Himalaya crested one, rivalless
Radiant in thy spotlessness,
Thou whose fruits and waters bless
Mother, hail !
Hail, thou verdant, unbiguiling,
Hail. O decked one, sweetly smile
Ever bearing.
Ever rearing. Mother hail! (Anand Math, Orient Paperbacks, 206, pp49-50)
These lines on the one hand, evoke environmental consciousness. One the other, these verses rekindle patriotic fervor. Vande Matram uses imagery of nature’s beauty and abundance to ignite a deep emotional and patriotic bond with the mother land, keeping environmental reverence at the heart of Indian patriotism.
Commemoration of 150 Years of Vande Matram and its relevance
Vande Matram has become the most adequate, contextual and relevant theme of celebration as India marks 150 years of its completion. Environmental harmony goes with the ethos and spirit of this celebration. Prime Minister, Narendra Modi appealed to citizen of India to celebrate it across every nook and corner of India, discussing, sharing and awakening the people to the rich legacies of India. He also appealed for plantation drive and cleaning of the rivers. Initiatives such as tree plantation, art murals, public discussions, seminars, painting competitions at the school, college and university level, have triggered the passion for patriotism and inspired people to value and protect the environment. These initiatives have marked resurgence of the same ethos and spirit among the masses as expressed in the anthem.
The slogan ‘Vande Mataram’-‘Salute to Mother Earth’ rejuvenated different communities by planting saplings, revitalizing rivers and above all coming together for greater good. As this anthem rose the people to social and cultural awakening similarly it is infusing the patriotic and environmental zeal among the new generation of India for national unity and brotherhood. Moreover, in today’s time of climatic challenges Vande Matram becomes a timeless chant to protect the very elements it glorifies. Its vision of mother land as verdant, nurturing, divine urges us to uphold ecological balance with devotion and a sense of responsibility, As we commemorate 150 years, the anthem invites us to renew our bond with nature and renew our pledge to greener, prosperous and harmonious India. It inspires us to make India “Ever rearing, Ever bearing” decked with trees, green canopies and loaded with fruits and flowers. However, it requires collective efforts and strong determination to translate the vision into reality.
Bankim Chandra Chatterji’s immortal anthem ‘Vande Mataram’ is not only an anthem of patriotism but it is a soulful celebration of India’s natural splendor. Environmental consciousness is deeply embedded into Vande Matram. The Mother Earth has been lovingly depicted as richly watered, fruitful, cool with gentle winds, striking a deep bond between nature and humanity. It not only evokes patriotic feelings but also moral and spiritual responsibility toward the environment. The mother land has been treated as a divine mother: giver of all resources, nurturer and sustainer. The vision inspires a harmonious relationship with nature, urging the people to respect, preserve, conserve and adore the nature as true and integral to the devotion of the nation. Vande Matram remains a timeless chant to uphold environmental harmony as sacred duty, interwining love for the country with ecological consciousness and sustainability for future generations.
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