Resistance movements and their cultural expression (songs, literature, folk art)

Abstract

Resistance movements across history have drawn strength and continuity from cultural expression, where songs, literature, and folk art emerge as vital instruments of protest and identity. These forms of expression not only articulate dissent but also preserve collective memory and mobilize marginalized communities against structures of domination. In India, devotional poetry, Dalit autobiographies, revolutionary theatre, and protest songs have consistently challenged caste, class, and gender-based hierarchies, transforming art into a medium of assertion and survival. Folk traditions such as Madhubani, Warli, Tamasha, and Nautanki embody subaltern realities, blending aesthetics with political critique. Global parallels, from African-American spirituals to Latin American protest music, demonstrate the universality of culture as resistance. In contemporary contexts, digital platforms extend these traditions through rap, street murals, and online literature, ensuring their relevance. This study explores how cultural practices operate as archives of struggle, shaping consciousness and sustaining resistance across generations.