An Ode to Freedom of Art

Freedom. With Flags fluttering all across the country and a sense of pride embracing our hearts, it's the time of the year we celebrate the land we call mother. While Independence Day is an annual reminder of the glorious past of this nation and an ode to our nationalist movement, it is also a symbolic representation of the freedom we enjoy as its citizens. Looking back at the annals of the freedom movement, we cannot disperse the immense role art played in dismantling the system of oppression set up by the British and lighting the fire of patriotic spirit amidst our forefathers. From plays to poems, flags to clothes, stories to songs, every art form took the nationalist movement to the corners of this country and immersed the public in the ideals of rebellion and freedom.

I have always been taught to think of Art as an evolving phenomenon. Regarded as the reflection of our society, Art has continually grown with the human race. The best way to celebrate 75 years of Independence would be to revisit some of the most iconic works of Art through this time. We will be shocked by the relevance a piece of Art from a century back holds to this day. Despite the tumultuous political climate of this country, Art has remained a medium to fight the injustice thrust in the name of welfare, social justice, or development. It continues to serve as the voice for the voiceless. Today in the expanded canvas of Art, the painting of our lives continues to delve deep into society's very foundations and inner workings and rethink the very value systems we are conditioned to uphold. Modern-day Art is not just a leeway into entertainment but a profound social commentary of the society, the people, and the country.

This power of Art to express itself comes from freedom. In a unique sense, even if it was Art that brought us this freedom, it's the freedom that empowers Art to thrive. The discourse on artists and their artistic voices has been a matter of keen interest to academicians in recent times. Are artists born with a creative voice? Or is Art a culmination of daily experiences? Do artists find their voice internally, or is it from the incidents that occur externally? If left to me, I would say that artists draw on inspiration from freedom. Freedom enables the artist to look beyond the walls of limitation, the horizon of artistic discourses, and yet within oneself.

Akshath Ram

Arts Writer & Spoken Word Artist