Bankim Chandra Chatterjee birth anniversary: All you need to know about ‘Vande Mataram’ composer

New Delhi: One of the most and celebrated writers the country has ever seen, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee or Chattopadhyay was born on June 7, 1838, in Naihati, Bengal Presidency, British India to Yadav Chandra Chattopadhyaya and Durgadebi. He is the man behind our National Song – Vande Mataram, which originally was a Sanskrit stotra glorifying India as a mother goddess. The song was written to encourage and inspire the freedom fighters during the Independence Movement. 

Several people took to Twitter and remembered the great writer. Vice President, M Venkaiah Naidu too tweeted. He wrote: Remembering the great nationalist and illustrious author Bankim Chandra Chatterjee on his birth anniversary today.

Remembering the great nationalist and illustrious author Bankim Chandra Chatterjee on his birth anniversary today. pic.twitter.com/2W7BBLWPCc

— Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) June 27, 2020

My tributes to the key figure in literary renaissance of Bengal, a novelist, poet, journalist and author of our National Song, #Vandemataram, Shri #BankimChandraChatterjee ji on his Jayanti.
He inspired millions of Indians during the independence struggle with his works. pic.twitter.com/TRk8qkbva7

— G Kishan Reddy (@kishanreddybjp) June 27, 2020

Humble tributes to #BankimchandraChatterjee, journalist, proflic Bengali writer, composer of #VandeMataram on bis birth anniversary.

His writings propelled social reforms & the Vande Mataram he composed inspired millions of nationalists to become part of independence movement. pic.twitter.com/i6la9zlRuh

— Shobha Karandlaje (@ShobhaBJP) June 27, 2020

My humble tributes to prolific poet, novelist and journalist, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee on his 182 nd birth anniversary. 
Among his many notable works, selected stanzas of poem ‘Vande Mataram’ were adopted as the national song of the country. pic.twitter.com/zbidLp7zg6

— Sanidhya Raval (@sanidhya56) June 27, 2020

Remembering Shri Bankim Chandra Chatterjee Ji on his birth anniversary who wrote the song ‘Vande Mataram’ that continues to inspire love for our motherland.#BankimChandraChattopadhyay#VandeMataram pic.twitter.com/dWXNE0Au5u

— Shreya Ghoshal Universe (@SGUniverse192) June 27, 2020

On his birth anniversary, let’s take a look at some of the facts about the revered write, poet and novelist:

Bankim Chandra Chatterjee wrote 13 novels in Bengali, ranging from serious, satirical to critical and socio-political.

He played a key role in the literary Renaissance movement with his impactful writings.

He also had a Law degree and in 1858, was appointed a Deputy Collector of Jessore. 

His earliest writings came in  Ishwar Chandra Gupta’s weekly newspaper Sangbad Prabhakar. Then in 1865, came his first Bengali novel titled Durgeshnondini.

His notable works include Durgeshnandini, Radharani, Krishnakanter Uil, Kapalkundala, Devi Chaudhurani, Rajsimha, Ananda Math, Vande Mataram amongst many others.