Lyrics Boats And Hos

Lyrics Boats And Hos

Critical Evaluation of Sarojini Naidu as a Great Poetess

Critical Evaluation of Sarojini Naidu as a Great Poetess

Sarojini Naidu’s full name was Sarojinidevi Naidu. She was a great patriot and politician. As an orator and administrator she earned great fame. She was one of all the famous women of India. As a patriotic poetess, Mrs. Sarojinidevi Naidu’s name is at the top. She was regarded as one of the jewels of the world. To honour one of the most famous heroines of the 20th century, her birthday is celebrated as Women’s Day. She was known as the nightingale of India. Sarojini Naidu was born on February 13, 1879 in Hyderabad. Her father, Dr. Aghornath Chattopadhyaya, was the founder of Nizam College of Hyderabad. He was a great scientist. Sarojini Naidu’s mother, Mrs. Varasundari was a Bengali poetess and Sarojini was inspired to be a poetess by her. Under her beloved mother’s shelter she loved poetry from a very early age. In childhood, she wrote a full length poem entitled The Lady of the Lake. The poem consisted of 1300 lines. With her father’s support, she wrote the play Maher Muneer. It was in the Persian language. She finished her studies just at the age of 19. Sarojini Naidu’s major contribution was also in the field of poetry. It was the sweet lyricism of her poetry that contributed a lot to the popularity of her poetry. It had beautiful words that could also be sung with ease and melody. It brought her the famous title of being the nightingale of India for very soon she got recognition as the Bul Bule Hind. When India became independent she became the Governor of Uttar Pradesh. She was the first woman governor in India. She died on March 2, 1949.

Works and Contribution to Poetry—Sarojini Naidu’s first collection of poems was published in 1905 under the title Golden Threshold. It was followed by the publication of two other collections of poems—The Bird of Time and The Broken Wings. In 1918 came her famous collection Feast of Youth. Then after she published The Magic Tree, The Wizard Mask and A Treasury of Poems. Her published poems impressed Mahashree Arvind, Rabindranath Tagore and Jawaharlal Nehru. There were thousands of admirers of her poetic work. It is said that her poems had English words, but an Indian soul. Shree Gopal Krishna Gokhale inspired her to compose patriotic songs and thus, to use her poetry and her beautiful words to give new life or energy to the spirit of Independence in the hearts of Indian villagers. He asked her to use her talent to liberate Mother India. In 1916, she met Mahatma Gandhi. It was a turning point for then after she totally directed her energy to the fight for freedom. She would wander around the country to sing poems and deliver speeches to pour enthusiasm among the hearts of Indians. The independence of India became the heart and soul of her work.

Her Popular Poems—Sarojini Naidu’s most popular poems are: Awake; Guerdon; The Lotus; Indian Weavers; To a Buddha Seated on a Lotus; and Song of Radha, the Milkmaid. Among them Awake and The Lotus are taken from her collection entitled The Broken Wing. Guerdon and Song of Radha, the Milkmaid are taken from The Bird of Time. Indian Weavers and To a Buddha Seated on a Lotus are taken from The Golden Threshold. Sarojini Naidu’s famous poem Awake is a patriotic song. Sarojini Naidu composed the poem wishing for India’s freedom. In this patriotic song Sarojini Naidu accounts for the glory of the Bharat Mata wishing for a bright tomorrow with a call for unity against all the ills of the time. They promise to serve her with a true heart. They would give up their narrow differences and come together for this great purpose. She is sure that this dream of freedom would become a reality when all creeds are united. Guerdon is an inspiring song. All objects and creatures in the world aspire for something or the other. Mostly they wish for worldly rewards but the poetess wishes for spiritual gain. The poetess aspires for the rapture of love and truth. She has no interest in worldly delights. It is her sublime nature that she wishes to see all satisfied. The Lotus is a sonnet in which the poetess pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. The poetess accounts for Mahatma Gandhi’s greatness. As the lotus springs from dirt and mire but remains free from its evil effect and inspires all with its beauty and quality, Mahatma Gandhi blessed the country by remaining free from the evils of his time. He faced all violent forces quite bravely and brought the country to success. His popular effectiveness among common people is everlasting. He taught the ways of attaining peace of mind. All express respect for his glorious heart. Indian Weavers deals with the three basic stages of human life represented by birth of a child, marriage in young-age and death at last. The human society belonging to any religion or country follows it without exception. It is a philosophic poem that suggests how life is full of joys and sorrows. Both are inevitable. A wise man ought to do his duty like weavers who make robe for all occasions of joy and sorrow. To a Buddha Seated on a Lotus is a symbolic poem. In this symbolical poem, the idol of Lord Buddha is used as a symbol of peace. Lord Buddha is seated on a lotus. The image symbolizes meditation. The flower of Lotus is the traditional symbol of life. The image of Lord Buddha seated on a lotus presents the symbol of peace attained in human life through meditation. Meditation implies the search for truth. It is possible only after getting rid of worldly desires. Dreams of worldly gains lead to loss of mental peace. To express firm faith in God and noble action is the true way of living. Sarojini Naidu’s famous poem Song of Radha, the Milkmaid is a folk-song based on Radha’s love for her lover Govinda. Radha is a milkmaid. She goes to Mathura to sell her milk-products. She fails in selling her products. She remains lost in the thought of Govind. Her mind is over-filled with the name of Govinda. Govinda is a cowboy and flute player. This symbolical poem exposes an irony that most of religious people have no sense of true religion.

Philosophic Aspect of her Poetry—Sarojini Naidu expresses deep philosophy in her poetry. For example, To a Buddha Seated on a Lotus is a great philosophic poem that refers to a popular idol of Lord Buddha. He is sitting on a lotus in the mood of meditation, with praying eyes and hands. There is a mystic delight on his face. The image inspires eternal peace of mind attained in human life through meditation. Meditation implies the search for truth. Lotus springs from dirt and mire but remains free from the evil effect of surroundings. It inspires all to remain free from evils and ills of worldly life. The poetess wishes to know how common people may attain this sublime state. The simple answer is hidden in Lord Buddha’s life. He was a born prince but gave up his royal comforts. He lived like a saint and still today he is called a lord while people have forgotten all the kings of that time. Indian Weavers is a philosophic poem that suggests how life is full of joys and sorrows. Both are inevitable. A wise man ought to do his duty like weavers who make robe for all occasions of joy and sorrow. Sarojini Naidu’s famous poem Guerdon is an inspiring song. All objects and creatures in the world aspire for something or the other. Mostly they wish for worldly rewards but the poetess wishes for spiritual gain. She aspires for the rapture of love and truth. She has no interest in worldly delights. It is her sublime nature that she wishes to see all satisfied.

Patriotic Aspect of her Poetry—Sarojini Naidu was a great patriotic leader. Her poetry is rich in this element. Her famous poem Awake is an inspiring patriotic song. Sarojini Naidu composed the poem wishing for India’s freedom. In this patriotic song Sarojini Naidu accounts for the glory of the Bharat Mata. She wishes for a bright tomorrow with a call for unity against all the ills of the time. The people of India make a promise to serve her with a true heart. They would give up their narrow differences of caste or religion and come together for this great purpose. She is sure that this dream of freedom would become a reality when all creeds are united. The song has a great importance in the present context when the country is again being divided in the name of caste, religion or region. If such considerations are not forgotten, the country would again fall in the chains of slavery. The Lotus pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. The poetess accounts for Mahatma Gandhi’s greatness. As the lotus springs from dirt and mire but remains free from its evil effect and inspires all with its beauty and quality, Mahatma Gandhi blessed the country by remaining free from the evils of his time. He faced all violent forces quite bravely and brought the country to success. His popular effectiveness among common people is everlasting. He taught the ways of attaining peace of mind. All express respect for his glorious heart.

Psychological Aspect of her Poetry—Sarojini Naidu’s poems are rich in the element of psychology. Its best example is Song of Radha, the Milkmaid.It is a folk-song based on Radha’s love for her lover Govinda. Radha is a milkmaid. She goes to Mathura to sell her milk-products. She fails in selling her products. She remains lost in the thought of Govinda. Her mind is over-filled with the name of Govinda. Govinda is a cowboy and flute player. It brings to a psychological fact that Sub-conscious state of mind overrules the conscious. It dominates human actions. For example, Radha visits the Mathura fair. She carries curds to sell there. She is conscious to her purpose of selling curds. But she takes interest in seeing cows softly lowing in joy. Cows are associated with Govinda. They remind her of Govinda’s activities. She has a lot of curds to sell. She hawks to sell the curds. She wants to praise the quality of her curds that it is as white as the clouds in the sky when the breezes blow in the month of Shrawan. But she is so greatly lost in love of Govinda that her mind remembers nothing but her beloved Govinda. She begins to call Govinda in place of curds. Seeing her madness, all the people laugh at her for she remains crying ‘Govinda’! ‘Govinda’! ‘Govinda’! ‘Govinda’!; as if she were selling Govinda in place of curds. She is attracted towards the river flowing softly. The cow and the river attract her for these both are beloved to Govinda.

But my heart was so full of your beauty, Beloved,

They laughed as I cried without knowing:

‘Govinda’! ‘Govinda’! ‘Govinda’! ‘Govinda’!

How softy the river was flowing!

Treatment of Love—Sarojini Naidu’s treatment of love is excellent. Her concept of love is true and sublime. It is spiritual. For example, Song of Radha, the Milkmaid is a folk-song based on Radha’s love for her lover Govinda. Radha is a milkmaid. She remains lost in the thought of Govinda. Her mind is over-filled with the name of Govinda. Govinda is a cowboy and flute player. She visits the Mathura tide to take water from the Yamuna. She carries pots there. She is delighted to see the sailors rowing the boat joyfully. Her friends are dancing and they ask her to join them to dance and sing wearing saffron garments in order to welcome the spring. Friends ask her to come with them and pluck the new buds that were blowing. But, Radha does not take interest in such activities for her heart is filled with the music of Govinda’s flute. Her friends laugh at her when she shouts unknowingly ‘Govinda’! ‘Govinda’! ‘Govinda’! Govinda’! She takes delight in seeing the river flowing happily. It proves her love for Govinda is true and sublime. It is spiritual.

Use of Symbol and Irony—Sarojini Naidu’s use of symbol and irony is worth praising. For example, To a Buddha Seated on a Lotus is a symbolic poem. In this symbolical poem, the idol of Lord Buddha is used as a symbol of peace. Lord Buddha is seated on a lotus. The image symbolizes meditation. The flower of Lotus is the traditional symbol of life. The image of Lord Buddha seated on a lotus presents the symbol of peace attained in human life through meditation. Meditation implies the search for truth. Indian Weavers is a symbolic poem. The poem deals with the three basic stages of human life represented by birth of a child, marriage in young-age and death at last. The poetess uses morning early night and passing of night as symbols of birth, marriage and death. It is early in the morning. It suggests the beginning of the day. Human life has always been compared with a day. Song of Radha, the Milkmaid is a folk-song based on Radha’s love for her lover Govinda. It is a symbolical poem that is full of irony. Radha is symbol of human soul and Govinda is symbol of God, the Great soul. Human soul always aspires to meet God. This symbolical poem exposes an irony that most of religious people have no sense of true religion. Radha visits the Mathura fair. She carries gifts to offer to the temple. She takes interest in seeing bright torches glowing in the fair and temple. She folds her hands at the altars and prays the shining gods to guard her all the time. The priests blow the conch shells loudly. All become attentive to it. But Radha’s heart is so greatly lost in the worship of her Govinda that she hears nothing. Seeing it, all priests go angry when she begins to shout unknowingly: ‘Govinda’! ‘Govinda’! ‘Govinda’! ‘Govinda’! She grows inattentive to the prayer going on in the temple and looks toward the river flowing softly. She is a true worshipper while the priests are pretenders.

But my heart was so lost in your worship, Beloved,

They were wroth when I cried without knowing:

‘Govinda’! ‘Govinda’! ‘Govinda’! ‘Govinda’!

Use of Sensuous Art—Sarojini Naidu’s sensuous art is remarkable. For example, Song of Radha, the Milkmaid is rich in sensuous art. There are lively word pictures. For example, the narration of Radha’s dancing friends is highly sensuous. Her friends are dancing and they ask her to join them to dance and sing wearing saffron garments in order to welcome the spring. Friends ask her to come with them and pluck the new buds that were blowing. But, Radha’s heart is filled with the music of Govinda’s flute. Her friends laugh at her when she shouts unknowingly ‘Govinda’! ‘Govinda’! ‘Govinda’! Govinda’!

My comrades called, “Ho! Let us dance, let us sing

And wear saffron garments to welcome the spring.

And pluck the new buds that are blowing.”

Indian Weavers is a highly sensuous poem. The opening stanza introduces a sensuous picture of a bright garment being woven in the morning. The robe is blue.

Blue as the wing of a halcyon wild

The robe for the marriage of a queen is of purple and green colour. Its sensuous description is attractive.

Like the plumes of a peacock, purple and green,

We weave the marriage-veils of a queen.

The funeral shroud is white like a feather or cloud. The poem is rich in sensuousness. Whiteness of the robe suggests the seriousness of the occasion.

Her Use of Poetic Imagery—Sarojini Naidu is excellent in use of poetic imagery. For example, Indian Weavers is a poem of poetic imagery. The poetess uses colour imagery to suggest different moods of human life. The blue coloured robe is for a new-born child. The purple green robe is for a royal wedding of a queen. The white robe is for funeral of a dead body.

Weavers, weaving solemn and still,

What do you weave in the moonlight chill?

The poem is rich in poetic imagery. The imagery of chill moonlight is remarkable. It suggests death for want of action. In The Lotus, she presents the flower imagery. As the lotus springs from dirt and mire but remains free from its evil effect and inspires all with its beauty and quality, Mahatma Gandhi blessed the country by remaining free from the evils of his time. He faced all violent forces quite bravely and brought the country to success. His popular effectiveness among common people is everlasting. He taught the ways of attaining peace of mind. All express respect for his glorious heart.

 

About the Author

Dr. Rakesh Kumar is reader and head of the Department of English at S.C.P.G. College, Mainpuri. At present, he is convenor of the Board of Studies and Research Degree Committee in English of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Agra, India.

FAILURE vocal cover of Huff ‘N Doback-Boats and Hos.