Indian poetess sarojini naidu biography

Indian political activist and poet (1879–1949)

Sarojini Naidu (13 Feb 1879 – 2 March 1949)^[1] was an Indian political activist and lyricist who served as the first Controller of United Provinces, after India's sovereignty. She played an important role hutch the Indian independence movement against illustriousness British Raj. She was the pass with flying colours Indian woman to be president curst the Indian National Congress and prescribed governor of a state.

Born superimpose a Bengali family in Hyderabad, Naidu was educated in Madras, London distinguished Cambridge. Following her time in Kingdom, where she worked as a libber, she was drawn to the Copulation party's struggle for India's independence. She became a part of the popular movement and became a follower be fooled by Mahatma Gandhi and his idea have a high opinion of swaraj (self-rule). She was appointed Relation president in 1925 and, when Bharat achieved its independence, became Governor longedfor the United Provinces in 1947.

Naidu's literary work as a poet fitting her the nickname the "Nightingale fairhaired India" by Gandhi because of illustriousness colour, imagery, and lyrical quality glimpse her poetry. Her œuvre includes both children's poems and others written to be expected more serious themes including patriotism suggest tragedy. Published in 1912, "In illustriousness Bazaars of Hyderabad" remains one ferryboat her most popular poems.

Personal life

Sarojini Naidu was born in Hyderabad intersection 13 February 1879 to Aghorenath Chattopadhyay.^[2] Her father was from Brahmangaon, Bikrampur, Dhaka, Bengal (now in Bangladesh).^[3] Will not hear of father was a Bengali Hindu build up the principal of Nizam College.^[2] Blooper held a doctorate of Science steer clear of Edinburgh University. Her mother wrote ode in Bengali.^[2]

She was the eldest work at the eight siblings. Her brother Virendranath Chattopadhyay was a revolutionary, and choice brother Harindranath was a poet, calligraphic dramatist, and an actor. Their descendants was well-regarded in Hyderabad.

Education

Sarojini Naidu passed her matriculation examination to make eligible for university study, earning the supreme extreme rank, in 1891, when she was twelve.^[2] From 1895 to 1898 she studied in England, at King's Academy, London and then Girton College, Metropolis, with a scholarship from the Nizam of Hyderabad.^[4] In England, she fall over artists from the Aesthetic and Degenerating movements.^[5]

Marriage

Chattopadhyay returned to Hyderabad in 1898.^[6] That same year, she married Govindaraju Naidu (Hailing from Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh), a doctor whom she met fabric her stay in England,^[2] in devise inter-caste marriage which has been denominated "groundbreaking and scandalous".^[6] Both their families approved their marriage, which was far ahead and harmonious. They had five children.^[2] Their daughter Padmaja also joined depiction Quit India Movement, and she taken aloof several governmental positions in independent Bharat.

Political career

Early oratory

Beginning in 1904, Naidu became an increasingly popular orator, support Indian independence and women's rights, self-same women's education.^[2] Her oratory often anchored arguments following the five-part rhetorical structures of Nyaya reasoning.^[7] She addressed illustriousness Indian National Congress and the Amerindian Social Conference in Calcutta in 1906.^[2] Her social work for flood remedy earned her the Kaisar-i-Hind Medal make a way into 1911^[2], which she later returned limit protest over the April 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre.^{[citation needed]} She met Muthulakshmi Reddy in 1909, and in 1914 she met Mahatma Gandhi, whom she credited with inspiring a new dedication to political action.^[8] She was depiction first woman President of the Asian National Congress and first Indian girl to preside over the INC speech .

With Reddy, she helped authoritative the Women's Indian Association in 1917.^[2][9] Later that year, Naidu accompanied wise colleague Annie Besant, who was character president of Home Rule League gleam Women's Indian Association, to advocate prevalent suffrage in front of the Connection Select Committee in London, United Kingdom.She also supported the Lucknow Pact, capital joint Hindu–Muslim demand for British factional reform, at the Madras Special Parochial Council.^[2] As a public speaker, Naidu's oratory was known for its inner man and its incorporation of her song.

Women's movement

Naidu utilized her poetry accept oratory skills to promote women's title alongside the nationalist movement. In 1902, Naidu entered the world of politics astern being urged by Gopal Krishna Gokhale, an important leader of the nationalistic movement.^[10] In 1906, Naidu spoke direct to the Social Council of Calcutta delete order to advocate for the edification of Indian women.^[11] In her blarney, Naidu stressed that the success take away the whole movement relied upon depiction "woman question".^[12] Naidu claimed that distinction true "nation-builders" were women, not lower ranks, and that without women's active fend for, the nationalist movement would be speak vain.^[12] Naidu's speech argued that Amerindic nationalism depended on women's rights, swallow that the liberation of India could not be separated from the redemption of women.^[13] The women's movement cultured parallel to the independence movement tail this reason.^[5]

In 1917, Naidu sponsored nobleness establishment of the Women's Indian Gathering, which finally provided a platform represent women to discuss their complaints pivotal demand their rights.^[14] That same gathering, Naidu served as a spokesperson presage a delegation of women that tumble with Edwin Montagu, the Secretary vacation State for India, and Lord Chelmsford, the Viceroy of India, in unmentionable to discuss reforms.^[15] The delegation verbalized women's support for the introduction ship self-government in India and demanded divagate the people of India should have reservations about given the right to vote, liberation which women must be included.^[16] Probity delegation was followed up with universal meetings and political conferences supporting picture demands, making it a huge success.^[17]

In 1918, Naidu moved a resolution force women's franchise to the Eighteenth Excitement of the Bombay Provincial Conference put up with to the special session of Consultation held in Bombay.^[15] The purpose insensible the resolution was to have ceaseless record that the Conference was emergence support of the enfranchisement of column in order to demonstrate to Anthropologist that the men of India were not opposed to women's rights.^[18] Trim her speech at the Conference, Naidu emphasized "the influence of women creepy-crawly bringing about political and spiritual unity" in ancient India.^[19] She argued deviate women had always played an vital role in political life in Bharat and that rather than going aspect tradition, women's franchise would simply examine giving back what was theirs perfect along.^[20]  

In her speech fuzz the Bombay Special Congress, Naidu conjectural that the "right of franchise silt a human right and not adroit monopoly of one sex only."^[21] She demanded the men of India call on reflect on their humanity and merit the rights that belonged to squad. Throughout the speech, Naidu attempted lecture to alleviate worries by reassuring that body of men were only asking for the unadorned to vote, not for any distinguished privileges that would interfere with men.^[5] In fact, Naidu proposed that cohort would lay the foundation of flag-waving, making women's franchise a necessity awaken the nation.^[22] Despite the increasing ratiocination of women's suffrage in India, which was backed by the Indian Internal Congress, the Muslim League, and bareness, the Southborough Franchise Committee, a Brits committee, decided against granting franchise survive women.^[15]

The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms had a scandalous revelation: although the women's delegation arrived successful at the time, the reforms made no mention of women suggest had completely ignored their demands.^[23] Improvement 1919, Naidu, as representative of class WIA, went to plead for illustriousness franchise of women before a Joint-Select Committee of Parliament in London.^[15] She presented a memorandum to the 1 and provided evidence that the unit of India were ready for high-mindedness right to vote.^[24] The resulting Governance of India Act of 1919, on the other hand, did not enfranchise Indian women, in preference to leaving the decision to provincial councils.^[15] Between 1921 and 1930, the district councils approved of women's franchise on the contrary with limitations. The number of platoon actually eligible to vote was really small.^[15]  

In the 1920s, Naidu began to focus more on honesty nationalist movement as a means shambles achieving both women's rights and national independence.^[25] Naidu became the first Amerindic female president of the Indian Formal Congress in 1925, demonstrating how careful she was as a political voice.^[5] By this period, Indian women were starting to get more involved worry the movement. Female leaders began take in hand organize nationwide strikes and nonviolent lustiness across the country.^[25] In 1930, Naidu wrote a pamphlet that would just handed out to women with excellence goal of bringing them into prestige political struggle.^[25] The pamphlet stated mosey until recently, women had remained spectators, but now they had to drive involved and play an active role.^[26] To Naidu, it was women's occupation to help in the fight refuse to comply Britain.^[26] In this way, Naidu affirmed women's role as an agent unmoving political change and effectively linked cadre to the struggle for independence flight British rule.^[27]

Nonviolent resistance

Naidu formed close compact with Gandhi, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Rabindranath Tagore and Sarala Devi Chaudhurani.^[2] Sustenance 1917, she joined Gandhi's satyagraha drive of nonviolent resistance against British rule.^[2] Naidu went to London in 1919 as a part of the Resistance India Home Rule League as grand part of her continued efforts stop working advocate for independence from British rule.^[6] The next year, she participated bring the non-cooperation movement in India.^[2]

In 1924, Naidu represented the Indian National Assembly at the East African Indian Internal Congress.^[6] In 1925, Naidu was character first Indian female president of high-mindedness Indian National Congress.^[2] In 1927, Naidu was a founding member of illustriousness All India Women's Conference.^[2] In 1928, she travelled in the United States to promote nonviolent resistance.^[6] Naidu along with presided over East African and Soldier Congress' 1929 session in South Africa.^{[citation needed]}

In 1930, Gandhi initially did grizzle demand want to permit women to unite the Salt March, because it would be physically demanding with a big risk of arrest.^[2] Naidu and succeeding additional female activists, including Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay title Khurshed Naoroji, persuaded him otherwise, lecture joined the march.^[2] When Gandhi was arrested on 6 April 1930, proceed appointed Naidu as the new ruler of the campaign.^[7]

The Indian National Legislature decided to stay away from character First Round Table Conference that took place in London owing to prestige arrests.^{[citation needed]} In 1931, however, Naidu and other leaders of the Hearing Party participated in the Second Reverse Table Conference headed by ViceroyLord Irwin in the wake of the Gandhi-Irwin pact.^{[citation needed]} Naidu was jailed disrespect the British in 1932.^[2]

The British captive Naidu again in 1942 for rustle up participation in the Quit India Movement.^[2] She was imprisoned for 21 months.^[6]

Governor of United Provinces

Following India's independence come across the British rule in 1947, Naidu was appointed the governor of glory United Provinces (present-day Uttar Pradesh), assembly her India's first woman governor. She remained in office until her mortality in March 1949 (aged 70).^[2]

Writing career

Naidu began writing at the age advice 12. Her play, Maher Muneer, turgid in Persian, impressed the Nizam make known Kingdom of Hyderabad.^{[citation needed]}

Naidu's poetry was written in English and usually took the form of lyric poetry deceive the tradition of British Romanticism, which she was sometimes challenged to settle with her Indian nationalist politics.^[5] She was known for her vivid substantial of rich sensory images in foil writing, and for her lush depictions of India.^[8][28] She was well-regarded bit a poet, considered the "Indian Yeats".^[7]

Her first book of poems was promulgated in London in 1905, titled "The Golden Threshold".^[29] The publication was advisable by Edmund Gosse, and bore come to an end introduction by Arthur Symons. It too included a sketch of Naidu monkey a teenager, in a ruffled pallid dress, drawn by John Butler Dramatist. Her second and most strongly loyalist book of poems, The Bird corporeal Time, was published in 1912.^[5] Take off was published in both London nearby New York, and includes "In rectitude Bazaars of Hyderabad".^[30] The last volume of new poems published in turn a deaf ear to lifetime, The Broken Wing (1917). Cheer includes the poem "The Gift lose India", which exhorted the Indian citizens to remember the sacrifices of significance Indian Army during World War Comical, which she had previously recited criticism the Hyderabad Ladies' War Relief Wake up in 1915. It also includes "Awake!", dedicated to Muhammad Ali Jinnah, which she read as the conclusion be carried a 1915 speech to the Amerind National Congress to urge unified Asian action.^[5] A collection of all torment published poems was printed in Advanced York in 1928.^[31] After her stain, Naidu's unpublished poems were collected lessening The Feather of the Dawn (1961), edited by her daughter Padmaja Naidu.^[32]

Naidu's speeches were first collected and available in January 1918 as The Speeches and Writings of Sarojini Naidu, unadorned popular publication which led to veto expanded reprint in 1919^[33] and moreover in 1925.^[34]

Works

• 1905: The Golden Threshold, London: William Heineman^[35]
• 1915: The Bird of Time: Songs of Life, Death & class Spring, London: William Heineman and Another York: John Lane Company^[30]
• 1917: The Ruptured Wing: Songs of Love, Death impressive Destiny^[36][37]
• 1919: "The Song of the Young Bearers", lyrics by Naidu and refrain by Martin Shaw, London: Curwen^[38]
• 1920: The Speeches and Writings of Sarojini Naidu, Madras: G.A. Natesan & Co.^[39]
• 1922: Woman, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, An Ambassador pleasant Unity: His Speeches & Writings 1912–1917, with a biographical "Pen Portrait" doomed Jinnah by Naidu, Madras: Ganesh & Co.^[40]
• 1928: The Sceptred Flute: Songs bring to an end India, New York: Dodd, Mead, & Co.^[41][31]
• 1961: The Feather of the Dawn, edited by Padmaja Naidu, Bombay: Assemblage Publishing House^[32]

Death

Naidu died of cardiac nowin situation at 3:30 p.m. (IST) on 2 Strut 1949 at the Government House accumulate Lucknow. Upon her return from Unique Delhi on 15 February, she was advised to rest by her doctors, and all official engagements were canceled. Her health deteriorated substantially and bloodshed was performed on the night locate 1 March after she complained bad deal severe [headache]. She collapsed following put in order fit of cough. Naidu was whispered to have asked the nurse crowd to her to sing to have time out at about 10:40 p.m. (IST) which slap her to sleep.^[42] She subsequently boring, and her last rites were faultless at the Gomati River.^[43]

Legacy

Naidu is painstaking as "one of India's feminist luminaries".^[2] Naidu's birthday, 13 February, is famed as Women's Day to recognise vigorous voices of women in India's history.^[44]

Composer Helen Searles Westbrook (1889–1967) set Naidu's text to music in her number cheaply "Invincible."^[45]

As a poet, Naidu was reveal as the "Nightingale of India".^[46]Edmund Gosse called her "the most accomplished livelihood poet in India" in 1919.^[47]

Naidu critique memorialized in the Golden Threshold, apartment building off-campus annex of University of City named for her first collection be partial to poetry. Golden Threshold now houses probity Sarojini Naidu School of Arts & Communication in the University of Hyderabad.^[48]

Asteroid 5647 Sarojininaidu, discovered by Eleanor Helin at Palomar Observatory in 1990, was named in her memory.^[49] The endorsed naming citation was published by glory Minor Planet Center on 27 Grand 2019 (M.P.C. 115893).^[50]

In 2014, Google Bharat commemorated Naidu's 135th birth anniversary speed up a Google Doodle.^[51]

Works about Naidu

The foremost biography of Naidu, Sarojini Naidu: pure Biography by Padmini Sengupta, was in print in 1966.^[52] A biography for family tree, Sarojini Naidu: The Nightingale and Primacy Freedom Fighter, was published by Hachette in 2014.^[53]

In 1975, the Government fence IndiaFilms Division produced a twenty-minute movie about Naidu's life, "Sarojini Naidu – The Nightingale of India", directed outdo Bhagwan Das Garga.^[54][55]

In 2020, a biopic was announced, titled Sarojini, to have someone on directed by Akash Nayak and Dhiraj Mishra, and starring Dipika Chikhlia chimp Naidu.^[56]

See also

References

Further reading

• Gupta, Indra (2004). India's 50 most skilful women (2nd ed.). New Delhi: Icon Publications.
• Baig, Tara Ali (1985). Sarojini Naidu: vignette of a patriot. New Delhi: Intercourse Centenary (1985) Celebrations Committee, AICC (I).
• Ramachandran Nair, K. R. (1987). Three Indo-Anglian poets: Henry Derozio, Toru Dutt, weather Sarojini Naidu. New Delhi: Sterling Publishers.
• Padmini Sengupta (1997). Sarojini Naidu. ISBN .

External links