HSC – Grade 12 – English – Poem – Ch 0202 – QA

Appreciation of the Poem – “Indian Weavers”

The poem “Indian Weavers” is written by Sarojini Naidu, a renowned Indian poet known as the Nightingale of India. The poem beautifully describes the life and craft of Indian weavers by linking their work to the three significant stages of human life – birth, marriage, and death.

The poem is structured in three stanzas of four lines each (quatrains), with a question-and-answer format that adds curiosity and rhythm. In each stanza, the speaker asks the weavers why they are weaving certain kinds of cloth at different times of the day, and the weavers reply with the symbolic purpose of their work.

In the first stanza, the weavers are seen at dawn, weaving a bright blue cloth for a new-born child. The blue color and the fresh morning time symbolize the beginning of life.

In the second stanza, during dusk, they weave a garment rich in colors like purple and green, signifying the vibrancy and celebration of marriage, the prime of life.

In the final stanza, the weavers work silently under the cold moonlight, weaving a white shroud for a dead man. The use of white and the quiet night evoke the solemnity and peace associated with death.

The poem uses simple yet symbolic language. The colors—blue, bright purple and green, and white—represent different phases of life. The imagery and metaphors in the poem are vivid and emotionally powerful. The tone shifts from cheerful to celebratory to solemn, reflecting the natural cycle of life.

The theme of the poem revolves around the cycle of life—birth, youth, and death—and how the weavers play a part in each of these moments through their craft. The poem also subtly celebrates the dignity of labor and the deep connection between art and life.

Overall, the poem is lyrical, symbolic, and deeply philosophical, yet written in simple language that appeals to readers of all ages. It effectively conveys how art reflects human existence and its transitions.