Five must-read classics by Sarojini Naidu

A coruscating poet, devout feminist and a relentless political activist, Sarojini Naidu was a woman par excellence. The first Indian woman to be the president of the Indian National Congress and to be appointed an Indian state governor, Naidu is often referred to ‘the Nightingale of India’.

In her life, Naidu penned down several works, including children’s poems and others on issues like tragedy, romance and tragedy. On her 142nd birth anniversary, here is a look at 5 must-read classics by Sarojini Naidu.

A collection of poems by Naidu, this 100 paged classic book consists of poems that talk about the Indian countryside and common people like dancers, weavers etc. Very simple yet complex in their structure and meaning, these poems are soul-stirring and rustic in a unique way.

Pic credit: Dodo Press

The book's blurb describes it the best: "In the palanquin sits the graceful bride and four able men bear her with pride. In the glorious ways of Indian tradition, sing to the beat of this springy ride." It is knitted around the practice of carrying a bride in a palanquin by palanquin bearers who are delighted to carry the bride and don't feel the weight.

Pic credit: Katha

In this fantastic collection of beautiful poetry, Naidu imagines time as a bird. Doing so, she expresses the workings of time through the movements of a bird and nature’s lens.

Pic credit: Ragged Hand - Read & Co.

Written in five stanzas, the poem talks about life along with common scenes in the bazaars of Hyderabad. It is set in the form of conversations between customers and vendors and mentions the simplest of happenings in a bazaar-like the various fruits being sold by the fruit-men, the weighing of saffron, lentils and rice by the vendors, etc.

Pic credit: Wikipedia

This book includes a wide selection of Sarojini Naidu's speeches and other assorted writings. Its contents include: "Nilambuja", "True Brotherhood", "Personal Element in Spiritual Life", "Education of Indian Women", "A Plea for Social Reform", "Hindu and Mussalmans", etc.

Pic credit: Ragged Hand - Read & Co.