Indian Weavers by Sarojini Naidu | Indian Weavers | Sarojini Naidu | Explanation | Summary | Key Points | Word Meaning | Critical Appreciation | Questions Answers | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lessons
Indian Weavers
WEAVERS, weaving at break of day,
Why do you weave a garment so gay? . . .
Blue as the wing of a halcyon wild,
We weave the robes of a new-born child.
Weavers, weaving at fall of night,
Why do you weave a garment so bright? . . .
Like the plumes of a peacock, purple and green,
We weave the marriage-veils of a queen.
Weavers, weaving solemn and still,
What do you weave in the moonlight chill? . . .
White as a feather and white as a cloud,
We weave a dead man’s funeral shroud.
line-by-line explanation of the poem
Line 1: WEAVERS, weaving at break of day,
Explanation: The poem begins with a description of weavers working at the break of day. The image of weavers working early in the morning suggests their dedication and hard work.
Line 2: Why do you weave a garment so gay? . . .
Explanation: The speaker asks the weavers why they are weaving such a bright and colorful garment. The question suggests that the speaker is intrigued by the garment and the weavers’ work.
Line 3: Blue as the wing of a halcyon wild,
Explanation: The speaker compares the color of the garment to the wing of a halcyon wild, which is a type of bird with bright blue plumage. The comparison suggests that the garment is very beautiful and vibrant.
Line 4: We weave the robes of a new-born child.
Explanation: The weavers reveal that they are weaving the garment for a new-born child. The revelation suggests that the garment is a symbol of new life and beginnings.
Line 5: Weavers, weaving at fall of night,
Explanation: The speaker then describes the weavers working at the fall of night. The image of weavers working late into the night suggests their hard work and dedication.
Line 6: Why do you weave a garment so bright? . . .
Explanation: The speaker asks the weavers why they are weaving such a bright and dazzling garment. The question suggests that the speaker is impressed by the garment and the weavers’ skill.
Line 7: Like the plumes of a peacock, purple and green,
Explanation: The speaker compares the color of the garment to the plumes of a peacock, which is a bird with brightly colored plumage. The comparison suggests that the garment is very beautiful and eye-catching.
Line 8: We weave the marriage-veils of a queen.
Explanation: The weavers reveal that they are weaving the garment for a queen’s wedding veil. The revelation suggests that the garment is a symbol of love and celebration.
Line 9: Weavers, weaving solemn and still,
Explanation: The speaker then describes the weavers working solemnly and quietly. The image of weavers working in silence suggests that they are focused on their work and that they are aware of the importance of the garment they are weaving.
Line 10: What do you weave in the moonlight chill? . . .
Explanation: The speaker asks the weavers what they are weaving in the moonlight chill. The question suggests that the speaker is curious about the garment they are weaving and the purpose it will serve.
Line 11: White as a feather and white as a cloud,
Explanation: The weavers reveal that they are weaving a white garment, as white as a feather and as white as a cloud. The revelation suggests that the garment is a symbol of death and mourning.
The poet’s use of the simile “white as a feather and white as a cloud” is significant. Feathers and clouds are often associated with lightness and airiness. However, in the context of this poem, the simile suggests that the white garment is associated with the lightness and airiness of death.
Line 12: We weave a dead man’s funeral shroud.
Explanation: The weavers reveal that they are weaving a dead man’s funeral shroud. The shroud is white, which is a color associated with death and mourning. The revelation suggests that the garment is a symbol of the finality of death.
The final two lines of the poem are a powerful and poignant reminder of the cycle of life and death. The weavers weave garments for all stages of life, from birth to death. Their work is a reminder that all life is precious and that death is a natural part of life.
Word Meaning
| Line | Word | Meaning | अर्थ |
| 1 | Weavers | People who weave cloth. | बुनकर |
| 1 | Break of day | The beginning of the day. | दिन की शुरुआत |
| 2 | Garment | A piece of clothing | परिधान |
| 2 | Gay | Bright and colorful | हर्षित |
| 3 | Halcyon | A type of bird with bright blue plumage. | किंगफिशर |
| 3 | Wing | The limb of a bird that is used for flying | पंख |
| 4 | Robes | Loose, flowing garments | वस्त्र |
| 5 | Fall of night | Late night | रात ढलने |
| 6 | Bright | Full of light | चमकदार |
| 7 | Plumes | The long, soft feathers of a bird | पंख |
| 8 | Marriage-veils | Veils worn by brides on their wedding day | विवाह घूंघट |
| 9 | Solemn | Serious and dignified | गंभीर |
| 9 | still | Silent and motionless | शांत |
| 10 | Moonlight | The light of the moon | चांदनी |
| 10 | chill | A cold feeling | ठंड |
| 11 | Feather | A soft, light-weight plume that covers the body of a bird | पंख |
| 11 | Cloud | A mass of visible water droplets suspended in the atmosphere | बादल |
| 12 | Funeral shroud | A cloth that is used to cover a dead body before it is buried or cremated. | कफन |
Summary
The poem “Indian Weavers” by Sarojini Naidu is a beautiful and moving depiction of the different garments that Indian weavers weave for different occasions. The poem also conveys a sense of the deep connection between Indian culture and weaving.
The poem begins with a description of weavers working at the break of day to weave a blue garment for a new-born child. The blue color of the garment symbolizes new life and beginnings.
The second stanza of the poem describes weavers working at the fall of night to weave a bright and colorful garment for a queen’s wedding veil. The bright colors of the garment symbolize love and celebration.
The third and final stanza of the poem describes weavers working in the moonlight chill to weave a white garment for a dead man’s funeral shroud. The white color of the garment symbolizes death and mourning.
The poem is a celebration of the skill and artistry of Indian weavers, and it also conveys a sense of the deep connection between Indian culture and weaving. The poem also reminds us of the cycle of life and death, and that all life is precious.
Key Points
Author: The poem is written by Sarojini Naidu, a renowned Indian poet and political rights activist1. She is remembered for promoting women’s emancipation through her work and her writing.
Form: This poem is written in the form of quatrains, each with two rhyming couplets. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, owning rhyme scheme aabb, ccdd, and eeff, respectively.
Speaker: The speaker in the poem alternates between an observer and the weavers themselves.
Setting: The poem introduces an Indian scene, that of weavers, weaving, particularly in the country-side, cloth on handlooms in different coloured patterns.
Theme: The central theme of the poem is the passage of life and eventual death. The poem represents the three stages of human life: birth, youth, and death.
Plot: The poem describes how a group of weavers make three different garments, each representing a different stage of human life: a blue garment for a newborn child, a green and purple marriage veil for a queen, and a white shroud for a dead man.
Tone: The tone of the poem is grief and hope. The poem encompasses a person’s entire existence. The metaphor of weaving powerfully conveys the joy and sorrow of creation.
Style: The poem’s style is compelling, with each stanza beginning with a question to pique the reader’s interest. The poem is symbolic; rather allegorical, since it is only a thought, rather than an experience.
Message: The message of the poem is clear: The poem symbolically represents the cycle of life and death, with the Fates weaving the threads of each stage.
Sarojini Naidu
Birth and Early Life: Sarojini Naidu was born on February 13, 1879, in Hyderabad, India.
Family: She was born into a well-respected Bengali family. Her father, Aghorenath Chattopadhyay, was a linguist and the principal of Nizam College.
Education: Naidu passed her matriculation examination to qualify for university study, earning the highest rank, in 1891, when she was twelve.
Works: Naidu is known for her volumes of poetry in English, including “The Golden Threshold” and “In the Bazaars of Hyderabad”. Her oeuvre includes both children’s poems and others written on more serious themes including patriotism and tragedy.
Political Career: Naidu played an important role in the Indian independence movement against the British Raj. She was the first woman to be president of the Indian National Congress and to be appointed as governor of a state.
Contributions: Naidu’s literary work as a poet earned her the nickname the “Nightingale of India” by Mahatma Gandhi because of the colour, imagery and lyrical quality of her poetry.
Death: Sarojini Naidu passed away on March 2, 1949.
Very Short Answer Questions
Who is the author of the poem “Indian Weavers”?
Sarojini Naidu.
What time of day is mentioned in the first stanza of the poem?
Dawn.
What is the color of the garment woven for a newborn child?
Blue.
What is the color of the garment woven for a queen’s wedding veil?
Purple and green.
When are the weavers weaving in the poem’s final stanza?
In the moonlight.
What is the color of the funeral shroud woven by the weavers?
White.
What type of bird is mentioned in the poem for its colorful plumes?
A peacock.
What emotion or feeling does the poem convey about the weavers’ work?
The contrast between joy and sorrow in life.
What is the primary occupation of the weavers in the poem?
Weaving garments.
How does the poem reflect the cycle of life?
It covers birth, marriage, and death through the weavers’ creations.
What is the overall tone of the poem?
Reflective and contemplative.
What is the significance of the garments mentioned in the poem?
They represent important stages and events in life.
Which stanza of the poem discusses the wedding veil for a queen?
The second stanza.
What is the meaning of “halcyon” as used in the poem?
It refers to a tranquil or peaceful period.
How does the poem show the weavers’ role in people’s lives?
They weave garments for significant life events.
What is the common thread that connects all three stanzas of the poem?
The weavers’ craft and the garments they create.
What aspect of the poem highlights the weavers’ skill and artistry?
The vivid descriptions of the garments they weave.
What does the poem reveal about the weavers’ understanding of life and its moments?
They appreciate the various phases of life, from birth to death.
Why is the moonlight described as “chill” in the poem?
To emphasize the solemnity and quietness of the night.
How does the poem’s structure contribute to its message?
It presents a series of questions and answers, creating a dialogue about life’s contrasts.
What color garment do the weavers weave for a dead man’s funeral shroud?
White
What does the blue garment for the newborn child symbolize?
New life and beginnings
What do the green and purple marriage veils for the queen symbolize?
Love and celebration
What does the white shroud for the dead man symbolize?
Death and mourning
Short Answer Questions
Q: Who is the author of the poem “Indian Weavers”?
A: The poem “Indian Weavers” is written by Sarojini Naidu.
Q: What is the central theme of the poem “Indian Weavers”?
A: The central theme of the poem “Indian Weavers” is the passage of life and eventual death.
Q: What form does the poem “Indian Weavers” take?
A: The poem “Indian Weavers” is written in the form of quatrains, each with two rhyming couplets.
Q: What does the poem “Indian Weavers” symbolize?
A: The poem “Indian Weavers” symbolizes the three stages of human life: birth, youth, and death.
Q: What is the tone of the poem “Indian Weavers”?
A: The tone of the poem “Indian Weavers” is a mix of grief and hope.
Q: What is the setting of the poem “Indian Weavers”?
A: The poem “Indian Weavers” introduces an Indian scene, that of weavers, weaving, particularly in the country-side, cloth on handlooms in different coloured patterns.
Q: What is the rhyme scheme of the poem “Indian Weavers”?
A: The poem “Indian Weavers” follows the rhyme scheme aabb, ccdd, and eeff, respectively.
Q: What is the style of the poem “Indian Weavers”?
A: The style of the poem “Indian Weavers” is compelling, with each stanza beginning with a question to pique the reader’s interest.
Q: What is the message of the poem “Indian Weavers”?
A: The message of the poem “Indian Weavers” is that the poem symbolically represents the cycle of life and death, with the Fates weaving the threads of each stage.
Q: What is the significance of the poem “Indian Weavers”?
A: The poem “Indian Weavers” is significant as it beautifully captures the essence of Indian culture and tradition, and symbolically represents the cycle of life and death.
Essay Type Questions
Q. Write the critical appreciation of the poem?
Introduction: “Indian Weavers” is a beautiful poem written by Sarojini Naidu, a renowned Indian poet and political rights activist. The poem is a tribute to the weavers of India, capturing the essence of their life and work.
Theme: The central theme of the poem is the cycle of life and death, symbolized through the weavers’ craft. Each stanza of the poem represents a different stage of life – morning symbolizes birth, evening symbolizes youth or adulthood, and night symbolizes death.
Imagery and Symbolism: Naidu uses vivid imagery and symbolism to bring the poem to life. The weavers’ loom is a metaphor for the cycle of life and death. The garments they weave – a blue garment for a newborn, a wedding veil for a bride, and a white shroud for the dead – symbolize the different stages of life.
Language and Style: Naidu’s language is simple yet evocative. She uses repetition to emphasize the monotony of the weavers’ work and the inevitability of the life cycle. The poem’s rhythm mimics the rhythmic sound of the loom, further enhancing its imagery.
Rhyme and Rhythm: The poem follows a regular rhyme scheme (aabb, ccdd, eeff), which adds a musical quality to it. The rhythm of the poem, like the rhythm of the weavers’ loom, is steady and unchanging, reflecting the unchanging cycle of life and death.
Tone: The tone of the poem is both celebratory and somber. Naidu celebrates the skill and craftsmanship of the Indian weavers, but also acknowledges the somber reality of life’s transience.
Conclusion: In conclusion, “Indian Weavers” is a poignant poem that beautifully captures the essence of Indian culture and tradition. Through her vivid imagery and symbolic language, Naidu paints a moving picture of the weavers’ life, their craft, and the universal cycle of life and death.
Q. Discuss the poem “indian weavers” by sarojini naidu in light of its themes, imagery, and poetic devices.
Sarojini Naidu’s poem “Indian Weavers” explores the cyclical nature of life, the weavers’ craft and artistry, and the contrast between joy and sorrow. The poem uses vivid imagery and poetic devices such as repetition, simile, metaphor, symbolism, and contrast to create a short yet profound exploration of the human experience.
Themes
Life’s cycle: The poem portrays the different stages of life through the garments woven by the weavers: the joyous birth of a child, the celebratory moment of a queen’s wedding, and the solemnity of death. The weavers symbolize the threads of life’s tapestry, reflecting the cycle of existence from beginnings to endings.
Art and craftsmanship: The poem celebrates the weavers’ skill and artistry, depicting them as master craftsmen who can weave garments with the vivid colors and delicacy of peacock plumes or the purity of a cloud. Their craftsmanship is both practical and artistic, creating beautiful garments that meet practical needs.
Contrast: A significant theme in the poem is the contrast between the colorful and joyous aspects of life (birth and marriage) and the somber and solemn (death). The weavers play a role in all these moments, emphasizing the dualities and contradictions of human experience.
Imagery
Colors: The poem is rich in colorful imagery, describing garments as being “blue as the wing of a halcyon wild” and “purple and green like the plumes of a peacock.” These vivid descriptions paint a vibrant picture of the weavers’ creations.
Nature: The poem uses nature-related imagery, such as “feather,” “cloud,” and “halcyon wild,” to evoke a sense of beauty and purity in the garments woven by the weavers.
Time of Day: The poem uses the time of day, such as “break of day” and “fall of night,” to create a sense of time passing and to connect the weavers’ work to different moments in life.
Poetic Devices
Repetition: The poem employs the repetition of the question, “Why do you weave a garment so…?” to structure the stanzas and highlight the contrast in the weavers’ creations.
Simile: The poem uses similes to draw comparisons between the garments and elements of nature, as in “blue as the wing of a halcyon wild.”
Metaphor: The weavers are metaphorically portrayed as the creators of life’s fabric, weaving the “robes of a new-born child” and a “dead man’s funeral shroud.”
Symbolism: The weavers symbolize the weavers of destiny, shaping and weaving the events and milestones of life.
Contrast: The poem effectively employs contrast as a literary device. It contrasts the brightness and colors of life’s joyous moments with the white solemnity of death. This contrast emphasizes the diversity and complexity of human experience.
In conclusion, Sarojini Naidu’s “Indian Weavers” is a beautifully crafted poem that explores the cyclical nature of life, the weavers’ craft and artistry, and the contrast between joy and sorrow in human existence. The poem’s rich imagery and thoughtful use of poetic devices make it a captivating and thought-provoking piece.
