IGNCA film honours 150 years of Vande Mataram through India’s classical dances

India’s performing arts have long carried the nation’s stories—of devotion, love, courage and collective identity—across languages and regions. A new video released by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) adds to that tradition by celebrating **150 years of “Vande Mataram”** through the expressive strength of India’s classical dances.

The film is conceived as a cultural salute rather than a spectacle: a reminder that India’s idea of unity has often been most powerfully felt not only in speeches and books, but also in music, movement and the shared vocabulary of emotion that the arts create.

A song, a milestone, a fresh cultural tribute “Vande Mataram” occupies a special place in India’s public life. Over generations, it has been sung and heard in different settings—formal and personal, historic and contemporary. IGNCA’s new video marks the **150-year milestone** by reimagining this cultural touchstone through performance.

Instead of relying on a single style, the film draws from India’s varied classical traditions to express the same idea in multiple artistic languages. In doing so, it makes a gentle but meaningful point: one sentiment can live in many forms, and each form can deepen our understanding of the other.

Such presentations also underline an encouraging cultural trend—institutions are increasingly using modern formats like short films and digital releases to make heritage more accessible, especially to younger audiences who may first discover classical arts online.

From Kathak to Kathakali: one theme, many traditions The film’s strength lies in its range. By moving through different classical dance forms—from the rhythmic storytelling of **Kathak** to the richly detailed performance language of **Kathakali**—the video becomes a collective ode to India’s cultural diversity.

Each form has its own grammar: distinct footwork, gestures, musical structures, costumes and approaches to narrative. Yet all share a disciplined training tradition and a capacity to communicate feeling with clarity. When placed side by side, these styles do not compete; they complement each other, revealing how artistic variety can still hold a common thread.

For viewers, this becomes an invitation to notice the finer elements of classical dance—how a turn of the wrist can signal an idea, how a change in pace can shift a mood, and how abhinaya (expressive storytelling) can convey meaning beyond words.

Importantly, the film’s approach is inclusive. It positions classical dance not as something distant or reserved for specialists, but as a living cultural asset—one that can be enjoyed, shared and passed on.

A constructive spotlight on cultural continuity Projects like this have a quiet, long-term impact. They create a platform for artists and traditions to reach audiences beyond auditoriums and festival circuits. They also encourage cultural curiosity: after watching a short film, a viewer might explore a full performance, a workshop, or even a local class.

For India’s arts ecosystem, that curiosity matters. It supports performers, teachers, accompanists, costume makers and many others whose skills keep these traditions alive. It also strengthens cultural literacy—helping people recognise that India’s heritage is not a single stream, but a confluence.

As India continues to modernise rapidly, such cultural anchors offer balance: a way to stay rooted while embracing new modes of expression.

**Why it matters:** By marking 150 years of “Vande Mataram” through multiple classical dance traditions, the IGNCA film celebrates India’s unity in diversity and helps bring heritage arts to wider audiences in a contemporary, accessible format.