Name of the Activity: 150 Years of Vande Mataram: Bankimchandra, the Nationalist Movement and Intellectual Heritage
Type of Activity: Seminar / Academic Lecture
Date / Duration of Activity (From–To): 22 July 2026 (One-day programme)
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Details of Resource Persons:
- Biswajit Ray
- Lecture Topic: Vande Mataram: Glory and Anguish
- Shaktisadhan Mukhopadhyay
- Lecture Topic: The Many Dimensions of Bankim
No. of Participants:
Approximately 70 (Faculty members, research scholars, students, and invited guests).
Objective of the Event:
The seminar was organised to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram and to revisit the literary, historical, and intellectual contributions of Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay. The programme aimed to foster critical discussions on the role of Vande Mataram in the Indian nationalist movement, examine its place within the intellectual history of nineteenth-century Bengal, and encourage students and scholars to engage with Bankimchandra’s multifaceted legacy. The event also sought to strengthen interdisciplinary dialogue among literature, history, and cultural studies.
Brief Description of the Event:
The Department of Bengali, The Bhawanipur Education Society College, in collaboration with Paschimbanga Itihas Samsad and The Asiatic Society, Kolkata, organised a seminar titled “150 Years of Vande Mataram: Bankimchandra, the Nationalist Movement and Intellectual Heritage” on 22 July 2026 at the Humayun Kabir Hall of The Asiatic Society. The programme commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Mili Samaddar, followed by a special address delivered by Lt. Col. Dr. Ananta Sinha, Administrator of The Asiatic Society. The academic session was chaired by Prof. Arun Bandyopadhyay.
Prof. Biswajit Ray delivered the first lecture, Vande Mataram: Glory and Anguish, where he examined the historical evolution of Vande Mataram, its literary significance, and its complex relationship with nationalism and collective memory. The second lecture by Prof. Shaktisadhan Mukhopadhyay, The Many Dimensions of Bankim, explored the diverse intellectual, literary, cultural, and philosophical aspects of Bankimchandra’s writings and highlighted his enduring influence on modern Indian thought. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Biman Samaddar, Secretary, Paschimbanga Itihas Samsad.
Outcome of the Event:
The seminar provided participants with a deeper understanding of the historical, literary, and intellectual significance of Vande Mataram and the enduring relevance of Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay’s works. The insightful lectures stimulated critical discussions on nationalism, identity, and intellectual history while encouraging interdisciplinary research among students and scholars. The event successfully strengthened academic collaboration between The Bhawanipur Education Society College, Paschimbanga Itihas Samsad, and The Asiatic Society, thereby enriching the institution’s academic environment.
