Kolkata, Sept. 18 -- Santosh Mitra Square has chosen 'Vande Mataram' as the central theme for its 2026 Durga Puja celebrations, marking the 150th anniversary of the iconic national song that inspired India's freedom movement.
The grand pandal installation of one of Kolkata's most prominent Durga Puja committees will feature advanced lighting, sound design, and detailed artistic displays showcasing the supreme sacrifices of India's freedom fighters. It maps out how Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's immortal verses served as a revolutionary war cry that united and fueled the nationalist spirit against British colonial rule.
Known for its high-budget, patriotic concepts, Santosh Mitra Square is using this major cultural platform to explore how literature shaped Bengal's revolutionary roots and gave birth to the conceptualisation of the motherland.
Preparations for this year's theme have already begun. The pandal will showcase the historical significance of Vande Mataram through immersive lighting, sound effects, artistic installations and thematic displays depicting its contribution to India's struggle for Independence.
"This is the 150th year of Vande Mataram. This is the soil where Vande Mataram was born. We want to pay our tribute to it in every possible way.
We have always tried to present nationalist themes through our Durga Puja. It was the clarion call of Vande Mataram that inspired India's freedom movement, and we want to portray that journey through this year's pandal," BJP MLA and a key organiser Sajal Ghosh said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.