In a reflection of India’s strong civilisational ethos, cultural reverence and abundant soft power potential, the national song of the country Vande Mataram has resonated across oceans. In a symbol of respect and admiration, Sri Lankan Member of Parliament Dayasiri Jayasekara has sung Vande Mataram on the occasion of 77th Republic Day and has wished the people of the neighbouring country. This gesture, also reflects the soft power potential of India and the strong ties shared between India and Sri Lanka.
#RepublicDay2026 #India pic.twitter.com/HweJdBoRNL
— Dayasiri Jayasekara (@DayasiriJ) January 27, 2026
India is also celebrating 150 years of Vande Mataram and is championing a nationwide campaign to revive, revisit and adopt the philosophy and principles enshrined in Vande Mataram authored by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1875. During the freedom struggle, Vande Mataram was a symbol of unity, patriotism, swadeshi and self-reliance. The song acted as a catalyst in consolidating the masses towards the nationalist causes. The Government, thus decided to commemorate 150 years of Vande Mataram as the message imbibed in the national song is highly relevant to seek the progress of India in the current era.
The national song being resonated beyond oceans is yet another testament to the universal nature of its message and the soft power credentials of India. Sri Lankan MP singing the national song of India also reflects the deep and stronger strategic partnership shared between New Delhi and Colombo. Infact, the bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka are far beyond the contemporary era. Indo-Ceylon relations dates back to thousands of years and can be deemed as civilisational partners with shared history, culture and philosophical underpinnings.
How India and Sri Lanka Imagine the Nation as a Mother
India and Sri Lanka both see their country as their mother, but they express this idea differently. In India, the image of Bharat Mata developed during the freedom struggle, especially through literature and patriotic songs, where the land was imagined as a mother who nurtures and protects her people. In Sri Lanka, the national anthem itself is titled “Sri Lanka Matha,” meaning “Mother Sri Lanka,” clearly presenting the nation as a mother figure.
The 77th Republic Day was celebrated under the theme of ‘Vande Mataram’ to align with the celebrations of 150 years of Vande Mataram. Accordingly, soft flute notes orchestrating Vande Mataram gave a solid and profound curtain raiser to the Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path in New Delhi. Similarly, the Republic Day celebrations were concluded at the Kartavya Path when 2,500 artists representing every state and Union Territory of the country performed to a specially composed version of the Vande Mataram, promoting the cultural legacy, civilisational history and the message that is echoed in the national song which apparently has global relevance to seek solutions for the emerging challenges.
