One of Kolkata’s most prominent Durga Puja committees, Santosh Mitra Square, has chosen ‘Vande Mataram’ as the central theme for its 2026 Durga Puja celebrations, marking the 150th anniversary of the iconic national song that inspired India’s freedom movement.
The announcement comes a year after the committee’s widely discussed ‘Operation Sindoor’-themed Durga Puja, which drew national attention and was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
According to the organisers, preparations for this year’s theme have already begun. The pandal will showcase the historical significance of Vande Mataram through immersive lighting, sound effects, artistic installations and thematic displays depicting its contribution to India’s struggle for Independence.
Speaking about the theme, Sajal Ghosh, president of the Santosh Mitra Square Durga Puja Committee and BJP MLA, said the decision was taken to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the song.
“This is the 150th year of Vande Mataram. This is the soil where Vande Mataram was born. We want to pay our tribute to it in every possible way. We have always tried to present nationalist themes through our Durga Puja. It was the clarion call of Vande Mataram that inspired India’s freedom movement, and we want to portray that journey through this year’s pandal,” Ghosh said.
Sources associated with the organising committee said visitors can expect a large-scale presentation combining visual effects, sound design and artistic installations to recreate important moments from India’s freedom struggle while highlighting the significance of Vande Mataram in the nationalist movement.
The theme is expected to become one of the major attractions of Kolkata’s Durga Puja, which is globally known for its elaborate pandals, innovative concepts and artistic excellence. Every year, leading community pujas compete to present unique themes that attract lakhs of visitors from across the country and abroad.
The choice of Vande Mataram also comes against the backdrop of recent developments in West Bengal. Following the change in government in the state, singing Vande Mataram has been made compulsory in schools, lending additional contemporary relevance to the theme.
The year-long nationwide celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram have also added significance to the committee’s decision. Organisers said the 2026 Durga Puja will seek to showcase the song’s evolution from a literary composition to a symbol of India’s freedom struggle.
Santosh Mitra Square has, over the years, earned a reputation for presenting themes centred on nationalism, culture and history. With preparations underway, the committee expects this year’s Vande Mataram concept to continue that tradition while offering devotees and visitors a tribute to one of India’s most enduring patriotic symbols.
