Cultural Resurgence in Post-Independence India: Bridging Tradition and Modernity

Abstract

Post-independence as it struggled to preserve its past and embrace modernity to advance, India experienced a cultural revival. This study examines how India’s cultural renaissance reconciled two seemingly opposing concepts, providing a complex road to national identity. Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, and Jawaharlal Nehru, who advocated a blend of ancient and modern ideals, set the groundwork for India’s independence campaign. Gandhi’s emphasis on swadeshi and self-reliance preserved indigenous practices, whereas Nehru promoted scientific temper and technological growth, signifying India’s modernization. Critical assessment of post-independence policy shows purposeful efforts to resurrect traditional art forms, languages, and traditions through Sangeet Natak Akademi and Sahitya Akademi. Urbanization, industrialization, and the Green Revolution changed India’s socio-cultural landscape, challenging traditional values. Cultural hybridity resulted from mixing folk customs with contemporary art and traditional clothing with global fashion trends. The research also examines how globalization and cultural homogenization exacerbated cultural identity and authenticity concerns. Cultural nationalism has grown in recent decades as a response to perceived threats to India’s history, while the digital era has democratized cultural expressions, empowering marginalized voices to contribute to cultural discourse. This report provided a vital framework for understanding India’s cultural trajectory and encouraged greater study of history and modernity’s impact on the nation’s future.