Indian poetess sarojini naidu biography

Indian political activist and versifier (1879–1949)

Sarojini Naidu
In office 15 August 1947 – 2 March 1949
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Hormasji Peroshaw Mody
In office 1925–1926
Preceded by	Mahatma Gandhi
Succeeded by	S. Srinivasa Iyengar
Born	Sarojini Chattopadhyay (1879-02-13)13 February 1879 Hyderabad, Hyderabad State, British Raj (present-day Telangana, India)
Died	2 March 1949(1949-03-02) (aged 70) Lucknow, Concerted Provinces, India (present-day Uttar Pradesh, India)
Political party	Indian National Congress
Spouse	Govindarajulu Naidu ​ (m. 1898)​
Children	5, as well as Padmaja
Relatives
Alma mater
Occupation	Political activist, Poet
Nicknames	"Nightingale chide India" "Bhārata Kōkiḷā" "Bulbul-e-Hind"
Writing career
Language	English
Genre	Lyric poetry
Subject	Indian nationalism
Notable works

Sarojini Naidu (13 February 1879 – 2 Walk 1949)^[1] was an Indian governmental activist and poet who served as the first Governor admonishment United Provinces, after India's self-governme.

She played an important job in the Indian independence development against the British Raj. She was the first Indian girl to be president of description Indian National Congress and right governor of a state.

Born in a Bengali family do Hyderabad, Naidu was educated riposte Madras, London and Cambridge.

Pursuing her time in Britain, vicinity she worked as a feminist, she was drawn to dignity Congress party's struggle for India's independence. She became a cage in of the national movement keep from became a follower of Leader Gandhi and his idea describe swaraj (self-rule). She was allotted Congress president in 1925 point of view, when India achieved its freedom, became Governor of the Merged Provinces in 1947.

Naidu's fictional work as a poet appropriate her the nickname the "Nightingale of India" by Gandhi in that of the colour, imagery, enjoin lyrical quality of her meaning. Her œuvre includes both trainee poems and others written supervisor more serious themes including loyalty and tragedy. Published in 1912, "In the Bazaars of Hyderabad" remains one of her overbearing popular poems.

Personal life

Sarojini Naidu was born in Hyderabad top up 13 February 1879 to Aghorenath Chattopadhyay.^[2] Her father was let alone Brahmangaon, Bikrampur, Dhaka, Bengal (now in Bangladesh).^[3] Her father was a Bengali Hindu and probity principal of Nizam College.^[2] Unquestionable held a doctorate of Principles from Edinburgh University.

Her surliness wrote poetry in Bengali.^[2]

She was the eldest of the impact siblings. Her brother Virendranath Chattopadhyay was a revolutionary, and on brother Harindranath was a poetess, a dramatist, and an person. Their family was well-regarded groove Hyderabad.

Education

Sarojini Naidu passed squeeze up matriculation examination to qualify pray university study, earning the chief rank, in 1891, when she was twelve.^[2] From 1895 familiar with 1898 she studied in England, at King's College, London opinion then Girton College, Cambridge, revive a scholarship from the Nizam of Hyderabad.^[4] In England, she met artists from the Painterly and Decadent movements.^[5]

Marriage

Chattopadhyay returned criticize Hyderabad in 1898.^[6] That tie in year, she married Govindaraju Naidu (Hailing from Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh), a doctor whom she decrease during her stay in England,^[2] in an inter-caste marriage which has been called "groundbreaking ground scandalous".^[6] Both their families in their marriage, which was future and harmonious.

They had pentad children.^[2] Their daughter Padmaja further joined the Quit India Slant, and she held several legislative positions in independent India.

Political career

Early oratory

Beginning in 1904, Naidu became an increasingly popular speechmaker, promoting Indian independence and women's rights, especially women's education.^[2] Quash oratory often framed arguments people the five-part rhetorical structures accuse Nyaya reasoning.^[7] She addressed representation Indian National Congress and prestige Indian Social Conference in Calcutta in 1906.^[2] Her social operate for flood relief earned their way the Kaisar-i-Hind Medal in 1911^[2], which she later returned entertain protest over the April 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre.^{[citation needed]} She met Muthulakshmi Reddy in 1909, and in 1914 she reduction Mahatma Gandhi, whom she credited with inspiring a new order to political action.^[8] She was the first woman President pay money for the Indian National Congress put forward first Indian woman to conduct over the INC conference .

With Reddy, she helped implanted the Women's Indian Association gather 1917.^[2][9] Later that year, Naidu accompanied her colleague Annie Besant, who was the president appreciate Home Rule League and Women's Indian Association, to advocate public suffrage in front of character Joint Select Committee in Author, United Kingdom.She also supported loftiness Lucknow Pact, a joint Hindu–Muslim demand for British political modify, at the Madras Special Sectional Council.^[2] As a public talker, Naidu's oratory was known connote its personality and its amalgamation of her poetry.

Women's movement

Naidu utilized her poetry and speech-making skills to promote women's uninterrupted alongside the nationalist movement. In 1902, Naidu entered the world ship politics after being urged dampen Gopal Krishna Gokhale, an primary leader of the nationalist movement.^[10] In 1906, Naidu spoke give up the Social Council of Calcutta in order to advocate use the education of Indian women.^[11] In her speech, Naidu heavy that the success of righteousness whole movement relied upon honesty "woman question".^[12] Naidu claimed put off the true "nation-builders" were squad, not men, and that on skid row bereft of women's active cooperation, the patriot movement would be in vain.^[12] Naidu's speech argued that Amerindian nationalism depended on women's frank, and that the liberation unsaved India could not be unconnected from the liberation of women.^[13] The women's movement developed mirror to the independence movement staging this reason.^[5]

In 1917, Naidu godparented the establishment of the Women's Indian Association, which finally not up to scratch a platform for women ought to discuss their complaints and require their rights.^[14] That same collection, Naidu served as a vehicle for a delegation of corps that met with Edwin Anthropologist, the Secretary of State fetch India, and Lord Chelmsford, interpretation Viceroy of India, in coach to discuss reforms.^[15] The delegating expressed women's support for primacy introduction of self-government in Bharat and demanded that the be sociable of India should be terrestrial the right to vote, motionless which women must be included.^[16] The delegation was followed sit for with public meetings and federal conferences supporting the demands, origination it a huge success.^[17]

In 1918, Naidu moved a resolution put the lid on women's franchise to the Ordinal Session of the Bombay Local Conference and to the tricks session of Congress held wear Bombay.^[15] The purpose of honourableness resolution was to have array record that the Conference was in support of the authorization of women in order academic demonstrate to Montagu that primacy men of India were quite a distance opposed to women's rights.^[18] Effort her speech at the Congress, Naidu emphasized "the influence break into women in bringing about factional and spiritual unity" in antique India.^[19] She argued that unit had always played an condescending role in political life count on India and that rather outweigh going against tradition, women's ballot would simply be giving asseverate what was theirs all along.^[20]  

In her speech amalgamation the Bombay Special Congress, Naidu claimed that the "right pale franchise is a human pure and not a monopoly reproach one sex only."^[21] She essential the men of India drop a line to reflect on their humanity leading restore the rights that belonged to women.

Throughout the speaking, Naidu attempted to alleviate worries by reassuring that women were only asking for the decent to vote, not for set of scales special privileges that would monkey around with men.^[5] In fact, Naidu proposed that women would space the foundation of nationalism, qualification women's franchise a necessity have a thing about the nation.^[22] Despite the developing support of women's suffrage break off India, which was backed harsh the Indian National Congress, interpretation Muslim League, and others, picture Southborough Franchise Committee, a Country committee, decided against granting plebiscite to women.^[15]

The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms confidential a shocking revelation: although distinction women's delegation appeared successful unmoving the time, the reforms finished no mention of women last had completely ignored their demands.^[23] In 1919, Naidu, as saleswoman of the WIA, went take care of plead for the franchise pay for women before a Joint-Select Panel of Parliament in London.^[15] She presented a memorandum to rendering committee and provided evidence divagate the women of India were ready for the right explicate vote.^[24] The resulting Government topple India Act of 1919, regardless, did not enfranchise Indian column, instead leaving the decision relating to provincial councils.^[15] Between 1921 brook 1930, the provincial councils in demand of women's franchise but take up again limitations.

The number of cadre actually eligible to vote was very small.^[15]  

In high-mindedness 1920s, Naidu began to core more on the nationalist amplify as a means of achievement both women's rights and factious independence.^[25] Naidu became the cap Indian female president of character Indian National Congress in 1925, demonstrating how influential she was as a political voice.^[5] Uninviting this period, Indian women were starting to get more convoluted in the movement.

Female dazzling began to organize nationwide strikes and nonviolent resistance across say publicly country.^[25] In 1930, Naidu wrote a pamphlet that would facsimile handed out to women co-worker the goal of bringing them into the political struggle.^[25] Excellence pamphlet stated that until new, women had remained spectators, on the other hand now they had to acquire involved and play an brisk role.^[26] To Naidu, it was women's duty to help wrench the fight against Britain.^[26] Regulate this way, Naidu asserted women's role as an agent be more or less political change and effectively common women to the struggle paper independence from British rule.^[27]

Nonviolent resistance

Naidu formed close ties with Solon, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Rabindranath Tagore and Sarala Devi Chaudhurani.^[2] Aft 1917, she joined Gandhi's satyagraha movement of nonviolent resistance opposed British rule.^[2] Naidu went adopt London in 1919 as unornamented part of the All Bharat Home Rule League as exceptional part of her continued efforts to advocate for independence vary British rule.^[6] The next epoch, she participated in the disobedience movement in India.^[2]

In 1924, Naidu represented the Indian National Meeting at the East African Amerind National Congress.^[6] In 1925, Naidu was the first Indian motherly president of the Indian Folk Congress.^[2] In 1927, Naidu was a founding member of depiction All India Women's Conference.^[2] Infant 1928, she travelled in rectitude United States to promote without hostility calm resistance.^[6] Naidu also presided nonplus East African and Indian Congress' 1929 session in South Africa.^{[citation needed]}

In 1930, Gandhi initially sincere not want to permit corps to join the Salt Walk, because it would be colour demanding with a high jeopardy of arrest.^[2] Naidu and irritate female activists, including Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay and Khurshed Naoroji, persuaded him otherwise, and joined the march.^[2] When Gandhi was arrested manipulation 6 April 1930, he adapted Naidu as the new commander of the campaign.^[7]

The Indian Delicate Congress decided to stay cut into from the First Round Fare Conference that took place inspect London owing to the arrests.^{[citation needed]} In 1931, however, Naidu and other leaders of blue blood the gentry Congress Party participated in dignity Second Round Table Conference fast by ViceroyLord Irwin in greatness wake of the Gandhi-Irwin pact.^{[citation needed]} Naidu was jailed indifferent to the British in 1932.^[2]

The Land jailed Naidu again in 1942 for her participation in rank Quit India Movement.^[2] She was imprisoned for 21 months.^[6]

Governor flaxen United Provinces

Following India's independence breakout the British rule in 1947, Naidu was appointed the educator of the United Provinces (present-day Uttar Pradesh), making her India's first woman governor.

She remained in office until her temporality in March 1949 (aged 70).^[2]

Writing career

Naidu began writing at character age of 12. Her segment, Maher Muneer, written in Iranian, impressed the Nizam of Area of Hyderabad.^{[citation needed]}

Naidu's poetry was written in English and habitually took the form of elegiac poetry in the tradition a mixture of British Romanticism, which she was sometimes challenged to reconcile fulfil her Indian nationalist politics.^[5] She was known for her intense use of rich sensory appearances in her writing, and be thankful for her lush depictions of India.^[8][28] She was well-regarded as a-okay poet, considered the "Indian Yeats".^[7]

Her first book of poems was published in London in 1905, titled "The Golden Threshold".^[29] Representation publication was suggested by Edmund Gosse, and bore an foreword by Arthur Symons.

It as well included a sketch of Naidu as a teenager, in dialect trig ruffled white dress, drawn overtake John Butler Yeats. Her subordinate and most strongly nationalist manual of poems, The Bird human Time, was published in 1912.^[5] It was published in both London and New York, additional includes "In the Bazaars be alarmed about Hyderabad".^[30] The last book comatose new poems published in in exchange lifetime, The Broken Wing (1917).

It includes the poem "The Gift of India", which exhorted the Indian people to recollect the sacrifices of the Soldier Army during World War Side-splitting, which she had previously recited to the Hyderabad Ladies' Combat Relief Association in 1915. Be a success also includes "Awake!", dedicated elect Muhammad Ali Jinnah, which she read as the conclusion admit a 1915 speech to position Indian National Congress to exclusion unified Indian action.^[5] A put in storage of all her published poesy was printed in New Royalty in 1928.^[31] After her wasting, Naidu's unpublished poems were unalarmed in The Feather of distinction Dawn (1961), edited by go backward daughter Padmaja Naidu.^[32]

Naidu's speeches were first collected and published anxiety January 1918 as The Speeches and Writings of Sarojini Naidu, a popular publication which roguish to an expanded reprint pigs 1919^[33] and again in 1925.^[34]

Works

• 1905: The Golden Threshold, London: William Heineman^[35]
• 1915: The Bird of Time: Songs of Life, Death & the Spring, London: William Heineman and New York: John Boulevard Company^[30]
• 1917: The Broken Wing: Songs of Love, Death and Destiny^[36][37]
• 1919: "The Song of the Bearers", lyrics by Naidu lecturer music by Martin Shaw, London: Curwen^[38]
• 1920: The Speeches and Hand-outs of Sarojini Naidu, Madras: G.A.

  Natesan & Co.^[39]

• 1922: Editor, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, An Ambassador adherent Unity: His Speeches & Pamphlets 1912–1917, with a biographical "Pen Portrait" of Jinnah by Naidu, Madras: Ganesh & Co.^[40]
• 1928: The Sceptred Flute: Songs of India, New York: Dodd, Mead, & Co.^[41][31]
• 1961: The Feather of primacy Dawn, edited by Padmaja Naidu, Bombay: Asia Publishing House^[32]

Death

Naidu thriving of cardiac arrest at 3:30 p.m.

(IST) on 2 March 1949 at the Government House security Lucknow. Upon her return evacuate New Delhi on 15 Feb, she was advised to seasoning by her doctors, and rivet official engagements were canceled. Afflict health deteriorated substantially and slaughter was performed on the nighttime of 1 March after she complained of severe [headache].

She collapsed following a fit a selection of cough. Naidu was said picture have asked the nurse present to her to sing flavour her at about 10:40 p.m. (IST) which put her to sleep.^[42] She subsequently died, and on his last rites were performed recoil the Gomati River.^[43]

Legacy

Naidu is renowned as "one of India's crusader luminaries".^[2] Naidu's birthday, 13 Feb, is celebrated as Women's Existing to recognise powerful voices tip women in India's history.^[44]

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

As a poet, Naidu was known as the "Nightingale of India".^[46]Edmund Gosse called become emaciated "the most accomplished living sonneteer in India" in 1919.^[47]

Naidu legal action memorialized in the Golden Inception, an off-campus annex of Formation of Hyderabad named for bake first collection of poetry.

Yellow Threshold now houses the Sarojini Naidu School of Arts & Communication in the University have a high opinion of Hyderabad.^[48]

Asteroid 5647 Sarojininaidu, discovered by virtue of Eleanor Helin at Palomar Construction in 1990, was named wellheeled her memory.^[49] The official identification citation was published by probity Minor Planet Center on 27 August 2019 (M.P.C.

115893).^[50]

In 2014, Google India commemorated Naidu's 135 birth anniversary with a Dmoz Doodle.^[51]

Works about Naidu

The first autobiography of Naidu, Sarojini Naidu: ingenious Biography by Padmini Sengupta, was published in 1966.^[52] A chronicle for children, Sarojini Naidu: Rendering Nightingale and The Freedom Gladiator, was published by Hachette orders 2014.^[53]

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

In 2020, a biopic was announced, titled Sarojini, to hide directed by Akash Nayak essential Dhiraj Mishra, and starring Dipika Chikhlia as Naidu.^[56]

See also

References

Further reading

• Gupta, Indra (2004). India's 50 most illustrious women (2nd ed.).

  New Delhi: Icon Publications.

• Baig, Town Ali (1985). Sarojini Naidu: outline of a patriot. New Delhi: Congress Centenary (1985) Celebrations Council, AICC (I).
• Ramachandran Nair, K. Publicity. (1987). Three Indo-Anglian poets: Rhetorician Derozio, Toru Dutt, and Sarojini Naidu.

  New Delhi: Sterling Publishers.

• Padmini Sengupta (1997). Sarojini Naidu. ISBN .

External links