Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham to Host Two-Day National Seminar Commemorating 150 Years of Vande Mataram

KOCHI: Marking the 150th anniversary of the national song Vande Mataram, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Kochi Campus will host a two-day national seminar on November 6 and 7, 2026. Jointly organized by Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad, and the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) Centre Kochi, the seminar will be held at the Amrita Campus in Edappally Brahmasthanam. The academic conference will deliberate on the historical, literary, and cultural impact of Vande Mataram—immortalized in Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s novel Anandamath—examining its role in the Indian independence movement, its influence on national consciousness, and its enduring relevance in contemporary India and the vision of Viksit Bharat.

The inaugural session on November 6 at 9:30 AM will feature Dr. D.M. Vasudevan, Dean of Research (Medical) at Amrita School of Medicine, as the Chief Guest who will formally inaugurate the seminar. Poojya Swami Vivekanandananda Puri, Head of Mata Amritanandamayi Math, Kozhikode, will deliver the benedictory address, followed by the keynote address by Dr. K.S. Radhakrishnan, former Vice Chancellor of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady. The valedictory session on November 7 will be graced by Prof. (Dr.) Mohanan Kunnummal, Vice Chancellor of Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS) and University of Kerala, alongside J. Nandakumar, National Convenor of Prajna Pravah. The two-day schedule comprises multiple academic sessions, expert panel discussions, a dedicated ‘Vande Mataram 150’ quiz competition for school and college students on November 6 evening, multi-lingual devotional musical renditions by Amrita students, and cultural exhibitions showcasing traditional Indian art, medicinal plants, and Indian Knowledge Systems. Further information can be obtained by contacting 0484 7102899.