Love for Home Land: The influence of Rabindra Sangit in the revolution of India

Abstract

Revolution is not only fighting against a force, but it is a fight for pride, for self dependence, and being recognized by others. The Indian revolution, against the British Empire, was influenced by many personalities. Their contribution included bravery, confrontations, literature, blood and vigor to inspire a mass. An assembly of our intellectuals had acclaimed the changes carried by the British, which were important towards knowledge and illumination. Nevertheless, their dictatorship was not tolerable. Speeches had started to rise. 

There were numerous minor groups molded, where seeds of revolutions were being sprouted, training to stand in contradiction of the opposite force, and enthusiasm to grow oneself. Rabindranath did not hold him back from all these. He attended meetings, such as in Kolkata, a conference called by P. Mitra, and engaged himself as an associate of a few groups, sang his melody at the Hindu-Mela. He objected to the Partition of Bengal loudly and inspired the youths, people of Bengal, to be united. 

He did not support loot or terror to scare or weaken the Britishers. He was a supporter of consciousness. He never criticized any revolutionary movement or discredited the thoughts of soldiers seeking independence. The deeds of Kshudiram Bose were defended in his own words and his article “Path O Patheo” on 25th May, 1908, at Chaitannya Library. 

The revolutionary blood for independence was in his family culture. He had been involved from a very early age. His perception towards freedom was not to beg or not to steal; freedom was their right, and to get that, we should make ourselves self-dependent with our own pride. For him, the native place was his pride and faith. He mentioned his faith in God (Ishwar) as well as his dream of freedom in his songs. He wrote worship songs for his land and described its prettiness, “Oie Bhubonomonomohini”. 

This paper will explore the thoughts and what it means by revolution to Rabindranath. His songs, which had inspired a generation to fight against the British Army to get independence and his involvement in this fight, will be explored.