Among the great personalities in the pages of history, one who stands out most certainly is Sarojini Naidu. Through her writings, she fought from women’s rights to the oppressive British rule, working towards the independence of our nation, India. Generally considered one of the best Indian women poets of all time, the wonderful poems by Sarojini Naidu portray various emotions including patriotism. Therefore, it is rightly said that she was the ‘Nightingale of India.’ Through this article, we will learn about Sarojini Naidu poet life, awards and legacy.
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Who is Sarojini Naidu?
Sarojini Naidu was born on 13th February 1879 in Hyderabad, India. Her father was Dr. Aghorenath Chattopadhyay, and her mother was Barada Sundari Devi. Her parents strived a lot for her education. Her father practiced as a medical doctor, and her mother wrote poems.
Right from a young age, Sarojini Naidu exhibited high intelligence. By age twelve, she spoke English, Hindi, Urdu, Telugu, and Bengali perfectly. This was also when she wrote her first poetry. To this Nightingale of India, writing poetry came naturally since young age.
Personal Life and Education
In 1895, Sarojini proceeded to England for higher education. She enrolled herself in King’s College in London. Later, she attended Girton College, Cambridge University. At that time, many Indian women were prohibited from pursuing higher education in prestigious schools like Cambridge.
Sarojini came into contact with several notable artists and poets during her time in England. The concept of women’s rights was also a driving force behind her. Women were beginning to fight for their rights in England at that time.
Sarojini understood it was the same situation back in India, where women also needed to be educated and set free. She finished her education there and came back to India in 1898. While there, she wed Dr. Govindarajulu Naidu, whom she had met in England. The couple bore five children, four girls and one boy. For Sarojini, her marriage and bringing up children was happiness. However, she did not stop her efforts for India’s Independence and women’s rights.
Poems Written by Sarojini Naidu
Among the famous Sarojini Naidu poems are those that dealt with patriotism and called the people to action, especially in the fight for freedom are ‘A Love Song from the North,’ ‘Song of A Dream,’ and ‘To the God of Pain’, among others.
In the Bazaars of Hyderabad
Hyderabad city’s bazaars are described in the tropical rhythm of this city’s poem. With the help of similes, it explains the craziness of the bazaar.
“What do you sell, O ye merchants?
Richly your wares are displayed.
Turbans of crimson and silver,
Tunics of purple brocade,
Mirrors with panels of amber,
Daggers with handles of jade.
What do you weigh, O ye vendors?
Saffron, lentil, and rice.
What do you grind, O ye maidens?
Sandalwood, henna, and spice.
What do you call, O ye pedlars?
Chessmen and ivory dice.
What do you make, O ye goldsmiths?
Wristlet and anklet and ring,
Bells for the feet of blue pigeons,
Frail as a dragon – fly’s wing,
Girdles of gold for the dancers,
Scabbards of gold for the kings.
What do you cry, O ye Fruit merchants?
Citron, pomegranate and plum.
What do you play, O ye musicians?
Sitar, Sarangi and drum.
What do you chant, O ye magicians?
Spells for the eons to come.
What do you weave, O ye flower-girls?
With tassels of azure and red?
Crowns for the brow of a bridegroom,
Chaplets to garland his bed,
Sheets of white blossoms new-garnered
To perfume the sleep of the dead.”
A soul’s prayer by Sarojini Naidu
This is a motivational poem on justice and demands that, at some point, one should rise to the occasion, build like a fortress, and fight for what is right, no matter how long it takes. It encourages the reader to believe that humanity will prevail with love and truth against evil.
“In childhood’s pride I said to Thee:
‘O Thou, who mad’st me of Thy breath,
Speak, Master, and reveal to me
Thine inmost laws of life and death.
‘Give me to drink each joy and pain
Which Thine eternal hand can mete,
For my insatiate soul would drain
Earth’s utmost bitter, utmost sweet.
‘Spare me no bliss, no pang of strife,
Withhold no gift or grief I crave,
The intricate lore of love and life
And mystic knowledge of the grave.’
Lord, Thou didst answer stern and low:
‘Child, I will hearken to thy prayer,
And thy unconquered soul shall know
All passionate rapture and despair.
‘Thou shalt drink deep of joy and fame,
And love shall burn thee like a fire,
And pain shall cleanse thee like a flame,
To purge the dross from thy desire.
‘So shall thy chastened spirit yearn
To seek from its blind prayer release,
And spent and pardoned, sue to learn
The simple secret of My peace.
‘I, bending from my sevenfold height,
Will teach thee of My quickening grace,
Life is a prism of My light,
And Death the shadow of My face.’ “
Sarojini Naidu Autumn Song
Autumn Song by Sarojini Naidu is also one of her best works and one of her famous poems. In this poem, she expresses her appreciation for autumn by writing about the brim of striking colors. Below are the two opening stanzas:
“Like a joy on the heart of a sorrow,
The sunset hangs on a cloud;
A golden storm of glittering sheaves,
Of fair and frail and fluttering leaves,
The wild wind blows in a cloud.
Hark to a voice that is calling
To my heart in the voice of the wind:
My heart is weary and sad and alone,
For its dreams like the fluttering leaves have gone,
And why should I stay behind?”
When did Sarojini Naidu Died?
Unfortunately, on March 2, 1949, she passed away in Lucknow, aged 70. In 1947, she became the first woman to be appointed the governor of the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) at independence. Her active life and the stress of obligations took a toll on her health and she suffered cardiac arrest, which tells us how did Sarojini Naidu died.
Naidu’s death marked a great tragedy for the country. In memory of Naidu, whom we still remember through her works, Sarojini Naidu Birth Anniversary, 13th February, came to be recognized as National Women’s Day in India.
What did Sarojini Naidu do for India?
Sarojini Naidu’s contribution to the struggle for India’s independence cannot be underestimated. She became the first Indian woman President of the Indian National Congress party in 1925. She moved throughout India and other parts of the world to campaign for India’s cause of freedom. Women, encouraged by her, bravely entered the satyagraha. Other than that, Sarojini Naidu was detained by the British Aliens frequently on account of engaging in the struggle for freedom.
- As a leader, she was involved in Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement.
- She traveled to present the case of India’s independence to the world.
- In 1925, Sarojini Naidu became the first female president of the Indian National Congress.
- Her involvement included participation in Salt Satyagraha and Dandi March.
- Sarojini Naidu urged countless women to participate in the freedom struggle and actively uphold their rights.
- Even in post-independence, she worked committedly as the first woman governor of Uttar Pradesh between 1947 and 1949.
Why is Sarojini Naidu called the Nightingale of India?
Mahatma Gandhi referred to Naidu as the ‘Nightingale of India,’ owing to her poetic works being very musical and rhythmic. As a nightingale sings softly at the darkest hour, how her poems were full of beauty and love for her motherland. Every thought, feeling, and care for India was expressed through verses.
Naidu always believed and wrote in her works that it was necessary to raise nationalistic passions and struggle for the independence of India through poetry. Her lyrics reflected equally the culture, ideals, and conquests of the people of India. Just like the nightingale’s song is therapeutic, her creativity roused the love of the country in its people.
Mahatma Gandhi was captivated by her work’s rhythmical patterns and images. For this reason, he called her Rashtrakavi, also meaning Poet Laureate, and included the Nightingale of India. The title was appropriate in that it described how her songs sung on the theme of freedom were all in the words of a powerful poet.
Legacy of Sarojini Naidu
While Sarojini Naidu is no longer present in the physical sense, her memories and works continue to impact millions of Indians to this day. She feels a synonym of words that denote courage, characteristics such as willpower, and devotion to the motherland. Her astonishing legacy can be summed up in the following points:
- Her poems, some of which have even found their way into the school curriculum, personify her passion for Indian philosophy, Indian culture and nature.
- She demonstrated how half the population can mobilize in the name of nation-building and the strength of diversity.
- Many awards are given each year on her birthday, one of them being Sarojini Naidu Awards for Working Women.
- Colleges, roads, and various other institutions have been named after her to encourage the people of India.
- The citizens of India, even today, regard her as a source of strength in unfortunate situations.
By her beautifully woven expressions and selfless contributions, Sarojini Naidu has established her place in the annals of history and the hearts of our people. She continues to inspire all the young generations.
An Inspiring Multi-Faceted Woman from India
Sarojini Naidu was multi-faceted in her abilities. She wrote poems and gave inspiring speeches as a part of her contribution to the freedom struggle. Even since her death many decades ago, she continues to enjoy high status in India. Children must understand and value her contribution to the nation. We shall always treasure Sarojini Naidu as The Nightingale of India.