Vande Mataram the novel containing it was banned by the British government, but workers and general public defied the ban, many went to colonial prisons repeatedly for singing it, and the ban was overturned by the Indians after they gained independence from the colonial rule. In 1950 (after India's independence), the first two verses of the song were declared the "national song" of the Republic of India, distinct from the national anthem of India, "Jana Gana Mana". The first two verses of the song are an abstract reference to one's mother and motherland, they do not mention any Hindu deity by name,
BRIC Arts Media under the same roof for the first time with a 3,000-square-foot public gallery, flexible performance space, and artist studios. It is also home to one of Brooklyn's three Hungry Ghost Cafe locations. Along with UrbanGlass (their upstairs neighbor) and Theatre for a New Audience, BRIC is a key part of the growing Downtown Brooklyn Cultural District which also includes BAM's three buildings. BRIC Arts Media BRIC Arts Media, usually styled BRIC Arts | Media or BRIC Arts | Media | Bklyn and best known as BRIC (standing for Brooklyn Information & Culture), is a non-profit arts organization based in Brooklyn,