Folk Media's Role in Kerala's Freedom Struggle
By V.S. Pradeep Kumar, Priya Pradeep
Summary
The article examines the significant role of folk media in India's freedom struggle, particularly in Kerala, highlighting its accessibility and effectiveness in mobilizing public sentiment against colonial rule. It emphasizes that folk media, encompassing songs, dances, theatre, and oral traditions, served as vital communication tools for grassroots-level social and political awareness. During the nationalist movement, leaders leveraged these traditional forms—such as Jatra in Bengal, Tamasha in Maharashtra, and Theyyam in Kerala—to disseminate nationalist ideas, counter colonial propaganda, and rally marginalized communities. The study focuses on Kerala's folk media, including Kummi Pattu and Padayani, to illustrate how regional art forms amplified nationalist discourse and fostered collective resistance. By analyzing songs, performances, and community engagement, the research underscores folk media's unique ability to bridge cultural and linguistic barriers, making it a potent instrument for social change and political mobilization during India's independence movement.
Conclusion
This study highlights the critical role of folk media in India's freedom struggle, particularly in Kerala, where traditional forms like songs, dances, and theatre became powerful tools for nationalist mobilization. By leveraging the accessibility and cultural resonance of folk media, leaders disseminated anti-colonial ideas, countered British propaganda, and galvanized rural populations. The research emphasizes how these indigenous communication channels—rooted in simplicity, emotional appeal, and local dialects—effectively bridged gaps between intellectuals and marginalized communities, fostering national consciousness. The findings underscore the need to recognize folk media's historical significance in social movements, offering valuable insights for contemporary grassroots communication strategies in India.