Lucknow Book Fair: ‘Vande Mataram’ Comes Alive Through Colours and Lines

Lucknow— The spirit of patriotism found a vivid artistic expression at the Lucknow Book Fair as young artists came together to celebrate 150 years of the iconic national song Vande Mataram through a remarkable collaborative painting workshop. The event was held at Ravindralaya as part of the ongoing literary and cultural activities of the fair.

Organised on Sunday, March 15, the workshop witnessed a team of eleven young artists collectively creating a striking painting on a 3×15-foot canvas from 11 am to 6 pm. The initiative was coordinated by noted artist and art critic Bhupendra Kumar Asthana, who guided the participants in translating the emotional depth of the national song into visual imagery.

The workshop began with an inspiring address by Narendra Singh, Program Officer of the National Book Trust (Lucknow branch) and a retired army serviceman. As the chief guest, he presented art material kits to the participating artists and emphasised the enduring significance of Vande Mataram as a symbol of patriotism, sacrifice and national pride.

Several distinguished guests, including Manoj Chandel, Bhupendra Kumar Asthana, Ravi Agrahari and Aakarsh Chandel, were present on the occasion, encouraging the artists and appreciating the initiative.

Originally written by celebrated novelist Bankim Chandra Chatterjee on November 7, 1875, Vande Mataram later became one of the most powerful cultural symbols during India’s freedom struggle. Written in a blend of Sanskrit and Bengali, the song inspired countless freedom fighters and continues to evoke deep patriotic sentiment across the country.

According to Asthana, the painting visually narrates India’s journey from the Indian Rebellion of 1857 to the country’s independence movement. The artwork incorporates images of legendary freedom fighters, motifs of India’s cultural heritage and symbolic representations of Bharat Mata. Through vibrant colours and expressive lines, the artists sought to capture the essence of national pride and cultural consciousness embodied in Vande Mataram.

The team of artists included Bhupendra Kumar Asthana, Ashwini Kumar Prajapati, Gaurang Agarwal, Siddharth Dev, Kapil Sharma, Shiva Verma, Vishwas Mishra, Shreya Goswami, Sandhya Vishwakarma, Neha and Varsha Sharma.

The workshop concluded with a felicitation ceremony where theatre, radio, television and film actor Anil Rastogi presented certificates to all participating artists, acknowledging their creative contribution to the celebration.

Blending art, history and national sentiment, the event stood out as one of the most inspiring cultural highlights of the Lucknow Book Fair, demonstrating how the power of creativity can keep the spirit of Vande Mataram alive for new generations.