Why Sarojini Naidu is called “Nightingale of India”?

First of all let’s have a look what is the meaning of Nightingale / Bulbul? The nightingale is a small migratory bird with dull brown plumage, noted for its rich melodious song that can often be heard at night.

Who is Sarojini Naidu?

She was a poet, orator and freedom fighter, a crusader for equality and a lover of nature. Sarojini Naidu was one of the most illustrious figures to grace the political stage during the years of India’s struggle for independence. Known as the Nightingale of India for her lyrical poetry, she answered the call of freedom and devoted her life to the cause of her country, facing years of imprisonment. One of Mahatma Gandhi’s most trusted followers, she was India’s vibrant and articulate voice in gatherings across the world, captivating audiences with her wit, grace and passionate love for the country. She became the second woman President of the Indian National Congress. She was the first woman governor of an Indian state after independence.

Why is she called Nightingale of India?

She was called the Nightingale of India or the Indian Nightingale because her poems are rich in imagery and emotion. His poetry avoids flowery words and is mostly composed of simple words that can be sung. His work was rich in imagery, covering a wide variety of subjects – love, death, separation among others. Many of his literary works such as The Golden Threshold, The Bird of Time, The Broken Wing, Autumn Song have been widely and critically acclaimed. The natural rhythm, the beauty of the sensuous imagery, and the rhythm that flowed freely from her gave her a lyrical quality and this won her the title/title ‘The Nightingale of India’.

Some of his poems are very attractive with description of nature and full of depiction of daily life of common people. There are some other songs which inspire us to serve our motherland. Others contain critiques of life that make us think and study deeply. Almost every poem is rich in its own evocative power of images. The grandeur of the imagery in poems such as “Palakween Bearers” takes readers into a state of ecstasy.

Comments

After meeting Sarojini in Bombay, Aldous Huxley remarked: A woman who combined in a most remarkable way great intellectual power with charm, sweetness with daring energy, a broad culture with originality, and sincerity with humour. If all Indian politicians are like Mrs. Naidu, the country is really lucky”.

“Joan of Arc who rose to inspire India”

She lived her proud life in her own words, “As long as I have life, as long as blood flows from this arm of mine, I will not give up the cause of freedom… I am only a woman, only a poetess. But as a woman, I give you the weapons of faith and courage and the shield of patience. And as a poet, I unfurl the banner of song and sound, call the battle bugle. How can I kindle the flame that wakes you up from slavery…’

A nightingale she was in true spirit.