Vande Mataram has been traditionally sung in Hindustani, which is properly possible only for those trained in classical singing. Sri Aurobindo Ashram, under The Mother's direction, had a band version of the song composed as early as in the mid-1950s, making it more powerful and easier for all to sing. Since then, hundreds of Ashramites, students and guests have been singing it on important annual occasions at the Ashram playground.
When Dr Karan Singh, a former cabinet minister and veteran parliamentarian, was the chairman of the Auroville Foundation, the full Vande Mataram was sung by residents of Auroville in the presence of the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, during his visit on the occasion of the 50th anniversary celebration of the founding of Auroville, on 25th February 2025. That was perhaps the first time ever in Independent India that a prime minister and a stalwart opposition leader of the country joined in the singing of the full Vande Mataram.
Though private and official bands have begun to play Vande Mataram more now, they are playing it in Hindustani. It seems only the Sri Aurobindo Ashram band plays the proper band version, which they did during the Prime Minister's visit to the Ashram in 2018.