Indian poet and political activist Sarojini Naidu, also known as Bharatiya Kokila (The Nightingale of India), was a prolific poet, who’s work drew wide acclaim, and influenced generations of writers.
Her political activism mainly focused on human rights for women and oppressed races worldwide; which included efforts to spread the philosophy of non-violent resistance, with her friend and ally in the Indian independence movement, Mohandas Gandhi.
Though Sarojini Naidu was known more as a politician, than as an artist; when reading her beautiful lyricism, one may wonder whether she was a politician trying to be a poet, or a poet trying to be a politician; as in her friend Mohandas Gandhi’s dilemma, Men say I am a saint losing himself in politics. The fact is that I am a politician trying my hardest to become a saint.
Alabaster
Symbolizing her inner life as an alabaster box, Sarojini Naidu glorifies the magic process of thought, by decoration.
Carven with delicate dreams and wrought
With many a subtle and exquisite thought.
Concluding with the delectable choice of spices, as memories, blended into an aroma of sentiment.
Of rich and passionate memories blent
Like odours of cinnamon, sandal and clove...
Autumn Song
A well-defined, perfectly drawn picture of the most melancholic season; capturing the bittersweet angst that colors the transition between the lively Summer and the deathly Winter.
Like a joy on the heart of a sorrow...
Of fair and frail and fluttering leaves...
Ms. Naidu movingly describes a certain guilt, or remorse, at having to carry on, long after the trees have gone bare, and the sunlight has dimmed. Autumn Song is simply an awesome achievement in tone and evocation.
My heart is weary and sad and alone,
For its dreams like the fluttering leaves have gone,
And why should I stay behind?
Street Cries
Like the differing opinions people have on the beauty, or lack there of, found in city life; Sarojini Naidu’s view is not simple; and it’s hard not to detect a certain contradictory affection in the poet’s exhilarating words; even as she decries the disconnect between the haves and the have-nots.
WHEN dawn's first cymbals beat upon the sky...
And fasting men go forth on hurrying feet,
Buy bread, buy bread, rings down the eager street.
But, of course the title, Street Cries, concurrently represents the mechanical and human voices of an industrial city in unison with the sounds of suffering.
Buy fruit, buy fruit, steals down the panting street.
Ms. Naidu’s mixed emotions come to a head in the final stanza, as she recognizes the ugly beauty inherent in the life of a city.
Drinking together of life's poignant sweet,
Buy flowers, buy flowers, floats down the singing street.
To read Alabaster, Autumn Song, and Street Cries, in their entirety, plus many more poems, visit the Sarojini Naidu page at FamousPoetsandPoems.Com.
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