Latest Blog Posts on Vande Mataram: India's National Song, Jana Gana Mana: India's National Anthem, Chess: India's Ancient Game, Yoga: Ancient Indian Practice for Mind, Body, and Spiritual Harmony, Sanskrit and Tamil: Ancient Languages with Over 5,000 Years of History

India’s National Song, Vande Mataram, was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in Sanskrit and first appeared in his novel Anandamath in 1882. It inspired India’s freedom struggle with its patriotic message and was officially recognized in 1950 when India became a republic. Vande Mataram has a special place in Indian history and is sung at national and cultural events, bringing pride and love for the country.

The National Anthem of India, Jana Gana Mana, was written by Rabindranath Tagore in the Bengali language and officially adopted on January 24, 1950. It represents India’s unity, diversity, and rich culture. It should be sung while standing as a sign of respect and takes about 52 seconds to complete. It is sung at national events, schools, and official functions, and should be sung slowly to maintain its respect and honor for the country.

Chess originated in India in the 6th century as Chaturanga and became globally recognized by the 19th century, with the first World Chess Championship held in 1886. The highest title is Grandmaster (GM), awarded by the Federation Internationale des Echecs (FIDE), the international governing body for chess.

India’s chess legends include Viswanathan Anand, the first Indian World Chess Champion and Grandmaster. Other notable players are Koneru Humpy, R. Praggnanandhaa, Nihal Sarin, and D. Gukesh, all of whom have excelled in international competitions.

Yoga is an ancient Indian practice over 5,000 years old, involving physical postures, breathing, and meditation to harmonize the mind, body, and spirit. Styles like Hatha, Vinyasa, and Ashtanga offer benefits like improved flexibility, reduced stress, and better mental health.

Shiva, known as Adi Yogi, is believed to have originated yoga, while Patanjali compiled the Yoga Sutras. Influential ancient gurus like Sage Vyasa and Gorakhnath further expanded its reach. International Day of Yoga is celebrated on June 21.

The oldest known languages in the world include both Sanskrit and Tamil, each with a rich history of over 5,000 years. Sanskrit, originating in ancient India, is the classical language of Hinduism and the Vedas, while Tamil is one of the longest-surviving classical languages, still spoken today in southern India and parts of Sri Lanka. Both languages have deeply influenced literature, culture, and modern languages in the Indian subcontinent, making them key pillars of ancient human civilization.