Palanquin bearers

About the poem Palanquin Bearers:

           “The theme of the poem “Palanquin bearers” by “Sarojini Naidu” is to reflect about the Indian marriages and their cultures.

  The poet has deliberately used the contradictory feeling of Laughing and Weeping.

          The bride is sad and is crying as she is separated from her family”

About the poet:

   Sarojini Naidu, also known by the sobriquet Nightingale of India, was a poet and polotician. She served as the first governor of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh 1947 – 1949.

Publications:

vThe Golden Threshold 1905.

vThe Broken Wing: 1917

vThe Bird of Time 1912

vMuhammad Jinnah: An Ambassador of Unity 1916

vThe Sceptred Flute 1928

vThe Feather of the Dawn 1961

vSarojini  Naidu, selected Poetry and Prose

POEM

PALANQUIN BEARERS

Lightly, O lightly we bear her along,

She sways like a flower in the wind of our song; 

She skims like a bird on the foam of a stream,

She floats like a laugh from the lips of a dream.

Gaily, O gaily we glide and we sing,

We bear her along like a pearl on a string.

Softly, O softly we bear her along, 

She hangs like a star in the dew of our song;

She springs like a beam on the brow of the tide,

She falls like a tear from the eyes of a bride.

Lightly, O lightly we glide and we sing,

We bear her along like a pearl on a string.                                             By Sarojini Naidu