Classification of Sarojini Naidu’s Lyrics

Introduction: On the basis of their themes, Sarojini Naidu’s lyrics may be divided into five broad categories: (1) Nature-lyrics, (2) love-lyrics, (3) lyrics of life and death, (4) folk-lyrics dealing with the life of the common folk of India, and (5) miscellaneous lyrics, including patriotic lyrics. These are not watertight compartments, there is much overlapping … Read more

Element of Mysticism in Sarojini Naidu’s Poetry

Mysticism: The word “Mysticism” is a derived from “Mystes” which means a person initiated into the “mysteries”. “Mystes” in its turn is derived from the Greek word “muein” which means “to keep silence”. Thus, Mysticism is the belief that knowledge of God and of Real Truth is independent of the mind and the senses. Being … Read more

Boat-Ride along the Ganga by K.N. Daruwalla, Critical Appreciation

Critical Appreciation of the Poem: Boat – Ride along the Ganga is one of Daruwalla’s finest poems. Its scene is laid in Varanasi, the ancient and holy city which has been the repository of Hindu culture and religion since times immemorial. It contains a vivid and picturesque description of the Ganga with all its squalor, … Read more

Summary and Critical Appreciation of The Forsaken Merman by Matthew Arnold

Introduction of the Poem: The poem ‘The Forsaken Merman’ is one of the early poems of Matthew Arnold, published in 1849. Most likely, the hint for the poem has been taken from Hans Anderson’s “The True Story of My Life” and George Borrow’s Romantic Ballads.   It is a sad poem that speaks of loneliness … Read more

Summary and Critical Appreciation of the Poem A River by A.K. Ramanujan

Introduction of the Poem: ‘A River’ was published in ‘The Striders’ in 1966. It is a poem on the Vaikai, which flows through Madurai. This river is appropriately described as a ‘city of temples and poets’, approximately 450 km. south of Chennai. For about 2000 years, this city has been the seat of Tamil culture. … Read more

Summary and Critical Appreciation of Upagupta by Tagore

Introduction of the Poem: The poem ‘Upagupta’ is a part of Tagore’s writings in English in an anthology of 86 poems, translated from the original Bengali Version by Tagore himself. The anthology is entitled ‘Fruit Gathering’. These poems have a haunting melody and belong to a world of experience where sensuous merges with the spiritual. … Read more

The Queen’s Rival by Sarojini Naidu, Summary and Critical Appreciation

Introduction of the Poem: The poem ‘The Queen’s Rival’ is based on a Persian folk tale shared with Sarojini by a close friend. It has been taken from the poems’ section of ‘The Golden Threshold’, the first volume of verse by Sarojini Naidu. The monotony and drudgery of Queen Gulnaar’s existence has been portrayed in … Read more

Summary and Critical Appreciation of Our Casuarina Tree by Toru Dutt

Introduction of the Poem: Toru Dutt has blended the autobiographical element, the poignant note of pathos, the elegiac note and the deep – sensuous description of nature in the poem, ‘Our Casuarina Tree’. It is a poem about the great Casuarina tree which grows in front of Toru’s house. Through the poetic expression of the … Read more