Vadodara: The department of Dramatics of the Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU), in collaboration with the Sangeet Natak Akademi, will stage the multimedia theatrical production ‘Vande Bharatam‘ at Prof C C Mehta Auditorium on Wednesday as part of the National Theatre Festival 2026.The performance, scheduled at 6pm, is being organised under the ministry of culture’s nationwide theatre festival commemorating Mahakavi Kalidasa Jayanti and the 150th anniversary of ‘Vande Mataram.’Featuring around 75 artistes, the production combines theatre, music, dance and multimedia to trace the journey of Vande Mataram from its composition by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875 to its emergence as a rallying cry during India’s freedom movement.The play juxtaposes present-day youth with the ideals of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh and recreates several defining moments from the independence struggle, including Usha Mehta’s underground Congress Radio during the Quit India Movement, the martyrdom of Vinod Kinariwala in Ahmedabad, the Eki movement and the Palchitaria (Dadhvav) firing on tribals, Birsa Munda’s resistance movement, and courtroom scenes featuring Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev.The production also highlights Vadodara’s historical association with Vande Mataram, noting that Sri Aurobindo prepared one of its earliest English translations of the song in the city in 1905.“This production is an attempt to present the historical journey of Vande Mataram through the medium of theatre. By combining music, dance, drama and multimedia, we hope to connect younger generations with the spirit of India’s freedom movement and the enduring relevance of the national song,” said Prof Darshan Purohit, head of MSU’s department of Dramatics.Prof Ajay Ashtaputre, dean of the faculty of Performing Arts, said the production is more than a theatrical performance. “It is an academic and cultural initiative commemorating the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram while paying tribute to Mahakavi Kalidasa,” he said.
