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In the Bazaars of Hyderabad
Sarojini Naidu
About Sarojini Naidu
Sarojini Naidu (1879 - 1949) was an Indian freedom fighter, social activist, poet and writer: During her life, she published three volumes of lyrical poetry and was named 'The Nightingale of India'. Three more volumes of her poetry were published posthumously.
What do you sell, O ye merchants?
Richly your wares are displayed,
Turbans of crimson and silver,
Tunics of purple brocade,
Mirrors with panels of amber,
Daggers with handles of jade.
What do you weigh, O ye vendors?
Saffron and lentil and rice.
What do you grind, O ye maidens?
Sandalwood, henna and spice.
What do you call, O ye pedlars?
Chessmen and ivory dice.
What do you make, O ye goldsmith?
Wristlet and anklet and ring,
Bells for the feet of blue,pigeons,
Frail as a dragon-fly‘s wing.
Girdles of gold for the dancers,
Scabbards of gold for the king.
What do you cry, O ye fruitmen?
Citron, pomegranate and plum.
What do you play, O musicians?
Sitar, sarangi and drum.
What do you chant, O magicians?
Spells for the eons to come.
What do you weave, O ye flower-girls?
With tassels of azure and red?
Crowns for the brow of a bridegroom,
Chaplets to garland his bed,
Sheets of white blossoms new-gathered
To perfume the sleep of dead.
Available Answers
- 1.
Briefly explain what the vendors, maidens and pedlars sell in the market.
- 2.
For whom do the goldsmiths make their wares?
- 3.
What do the flower girls weave for the bridegroom?
- 4.
Why do you think the poem ends with a mention of people who have died?
- 5.
Pick lines from the poem which describe the richness and variety of things on sale at the bazaar.
- 6.
What do you play, O musicians?
Sitar, sarangi and drum,
What do you chant, O magicians?
Spells for the eons to come.- How are the musicians and magicians different from the other vendors in the bazaar?
- Explain the line: Spells for the eons to come.
6 more answer(s) available.