A Comparative Analysis of the Roots and Functions of Social Resistance Literature in Iran and India, with a Focus on the Works of Nima Yooshij and Dattatreya Ramachandra Bendre

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Velayat University

10.22103/jrl.2025.25397.3053

Abstract

This study adopted a comparative approach to examine the historical and ideological roots of social resistance literature in Iran and India. Focusing on the works of Nima Yooshij and Dattatreya Ramachandra Bendre, the study demonstrated how socio-political contexts and systems of thought have influenced the formation of themes such as resistance, the pursuit of justice, and aspirations for freedom. Despite their cultural differences, the two poets converge in their struggle against oppression, their advocacy of social justice, and their articulation of the suffering of marginalized groups. Nima, through modern Persian poetry, and Bendre, through his distinctive poetic style, contributed significantly to the enhancement of social and political consciousness. In this qualitative analysis, literary texts were first examined, and key themes were extracted; subsequently, the literary styles of each poet were analyzed; and finally, the social impact of their poetry on public awareness and social mobilization was assessed. An examination of historical documents and literary texts indicated that shared experiences of colonialism, despotism, and inequality inspired the creation of works that, while reflecting the afflictions of the oppressed, promoted critical consciousness and cultural resistance. The findings elucidated both the commonalities and differences of resistance literature in Iranian and Indian cultures and underscored the central role of poetry in shaping collective identity and fostering cultural resistance against domination. Moreover, this study provided a foundation for interdisciplinary research in the sociology of literature, intellectual history, and postcolonial studies.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Resistance Literature
Volume 17, Issue 33
February 2025
Pages 22-47

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