The phrases "Satyameva Jayate" and "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" are well known among Indians and are used by both political and non-political organisations. The reason these slogans are so successful is because they are both nationalistic and secular, but who came up with these catchphrases? How much of an influence did these two or three words have on advancing the independence cause and fostering a sense of community among people?
Since the dawn of human civilization, literature and the arts have been essential to forming and sustaining society. Literature and artistic creations continue to be revered as status and power markers because of their enormous value in bringing people together and exposing social ills. Additionally, governments and individuals from all over the world have exploited literature and the arts to spread propaganda and hatred. This is how the arts aid in bringing about change.
Let’s look at a relatable example of the same; novels, songs, paintings and journals were all important factors which helped India unite against the British and fight for independence.
The concept of "Bharat Mata," or Mother India, which became a national personification of India, is a particularly well-known example of this. Kiran Chandra Bandhopadhyay initially introduced Bharat Mata in a drama of the same name in 1873. The poem "Vande Mataram," which became the rallying cry for Indian independence, was initially featured in Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's book "Anandamath." In 1905, Abanindranath Tagore, the nephew of Rabindranath Tagore, painted the first image of Bharat Mata as a Hindu goddess with four arms. Bharatmata's image was afterwards used to inspire Indians to feel patriotic throughout the struggle for independence.
Later journals and newspapers came up to be an important medium of communication to the masses, Mahatma Gandhi used to regularly put out his views to the masses through his journals Young India, Navjeevan and Harijans. Other popular journals include Kesari by BG Tilak, Mook Nayak by Ambedkar, and Hindustan Dainik by Madan Mohan Malviya.
Rabindranath Tagore, the first Indian to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature, was another man who made a significant contribution to the freedom struggle through his writings. Tagore’s writings were well-known around the world, and his decision to reject the knighthood served as a symbol of defiance, inspiring others to believe in the cause of freedom.
These are the main ways that freedom fighters used literature and the arts to bring people together and forge a vision of an independent India. These channels ended up being essential for uniting the populace and bringing about change, which is still applicable today. The phrase "Bharat Mata ki Jai" is still used by both individuals and political organisations. Another example is the concept of a national anthem. Particularly in a varied nation like India, components like a national anthem and a national flag help to develop a sense of national identity. The national anthem fosters a sense of belonging among all citizens, regardless of their language, class, or caste, and they will gladly sing it together.
The ways in which literature and art may unify people and spur on social change are examples of this. Because they are vital to human interaction and are protected by our fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression, democracy should foster the arts and creativity. Additionally, the nation's youth now have greater opportunities to express themselves through art, poetry, tales, photography, and films, all of which serve as effective vehicles for inspiring change, thanks to the social media industry's explosive expansion.
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