Freedom Movement in Oral Narratives of North Karnataka: A Study of Canarese Ballads

Abstract

India’s national movement was a long narrative of resistance before becoming a mass movement in the 20th century. Various forms of cultural expression played vital roles in awakening nationalist consciousness. Among these, the Lavani-a popular folk art form emerged as a powerful medium for spreading patriotic ideas and inspiring the common people. Particularly in North Karnataka, Lavani poets and singers used their art to glorify local heroes like Sangolli Rayanna and Halagali Bedas, linking folk traditions to the larger freedom movement. This paper examines the contribution of Kannada Lavani to India’s struggle for independence and its lasting cultural impact.