Question

How do the national symbols and the forms of music develop a sense of collective belonging? Bring out a comparative analysis of a European country(other than France) and compare it with India

Answer 1

Dear student,

The sense of collective belonging developed in India during the freedom movement by the ways mentioned as follows:

• FOLKLORES: The Indian nationalists tried to revive the traditional folklores of India which were written or composed by the ancient poets or composers. They went to villages to gather folktales and folksongs. This method made the people to understand that how rich their indigenous culture is and how was that culture being destroyed by the outside ruling forces. Thus, this was a good method to instill the seeds of patriotism in the hearts of the Indians.

• SONGS AND PAINTINGS: In 1870s Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay composed his famous song ‘Vande Mataram’ which almost became an iconic song for the Swadeshi movement. Abanindranth Tagore painted his famous ‘Bharat Maata’, who was actually portrayed like a Goddess who protects and nurtures the country and its fellow citizens.

• ICONS AND SYMBOLS: During the Swadeshi movement, a tricolor flag was designed which had eight lotuses, which was the symbolization of eight provinces of India, along with the presence of a crescent moon, represented the communal harmony between the Hindus and Muslims.

• REINTERPRETATION OF HISTORY: The famous writers of that time started writing about the rich heritage of India in different arenas. This also was a good method to instill the seeds of patriotism in the hearts of the Indians.

Regardd

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