Cultural elements of resistance to colonial imperialism: A study based on Bharathiyar’s national poems

After the Renaissance, European colonial powers expanded their rule across many regions, and British colonisation in India and Sri Lanka gave rise to several freedom movements. Subramania Bharathiyar poet, writer, journalist, freedom fighter, and social reformer lived within this turbulent period, and his poems played a key role in shaping public thought in British India. Although his works are often read primarily as expressions of political resistance, Bharathiyar’s deeper aim was to unite a culturally fragmented society and cultivate a sense of indigenous cultural nationalism that could strengthen the freedom struggle. This qualitative study examines twenty of his national poems to explore how cultural elements of resistance to colonial imperialism emerge in his writing. Using sociological approaches and content analysis, the research identifies how Bharathiyar promotes national consciousness through themes such as defining national boundaries, integrating regions, encouraging trade, supporting technological progress, strengthening rural development, reinterpreting myths, and unifying India’s social diversity through culture. He also draws on philosophical traditions to highlight the moral responsibility of the people in resisting colonial power. The findings show that Bharathiyar used culture as a powerful tool to inspire patriotism, foster social unity, and prepare the nation for the freedom struggle. His poems reveal the depth of his vision and his commitment to resisting imperial domination through cultural awakening.