Question

Evaluate contribution of folklore, songs, popular print in shaping the nationalism during freedom struggle.

Answer 1

Dear Student,

Various folklore, songs and symbols like the national flag, tricolour gave a sense of identity to the people and also shaped the feeling of nationalism among Indians. It gave a true picture of India's culture . They served to produce a sense of achievement and unity among people and to glorify India's past. They boosted self-confidence of Indians who then strongly waged a war against the colonial rule.

(i) National song like Vande Mataram united people from different languages. The identity of India was associated with Bharat Mata which was depicted as composed, divine and spiritual created by Abindranath Tagore.
(ii) Folktales, songs, hymns were used by our national leaders to give a sense of pride and unity in our culture.
(iii) Similarly the use of khadi and charka by Mahatma Gandhi became symbols of agitation and resistance.
(iv) Folklores and literature used by nationalists gave a true picture of India's culture .
(v) Rabindranath Tagore himself began collecting ballads, nursery rhymes and myths during his time in Bengal.
(vi) In Madras, Natesa Sastri published a massive four-volume collection of Tamil folk tales, The Folklore of Southern India which he believed was a national literature.