Indian Weavers
by Sarojini Naidu
Rapid Learn 2-Minute Revision
Perfect for last-minute revision
2-Minute Revision Video
Video coming soon
In this short, musical poem, Sarojini Naidu, the 'Nightingale of India', links the three garments woven by weavers at three times of day to the three great stages of human life. At break of day the weavers weave a bright, 'blue as the wing of a halcyon' robe for a new-born child, symbolising birth, hope and joy. At fall of night they weave 'purple and green' marriage-veils, 'like the plumes of a peacock', for a queen, symbolising youth, love and celebration. And in the chill moonlight, 'solemn and still', they weave a 'white as a feather' funeral shroud for a dead man, symbolising death and sombre peace. Through the significant colours and times, the poem gently reflects on the cycle of life, birth, marriage and death, and the dignity of the weavers' labour.
Detailed Summary
Detailed Summary Video
Video coming soon
'Indian Weavers' by Sarojini Naidu is a short, song-like poem in which the garments woven by weavers at three different times of day symbolise the three great stages of human life, birth, youth (marriage) and death. The colours and the times of day are carefully chosen to match the mood of each stage.
Break of day, birth
In the first stanza, at 'break of day', the weavers weave 'a garment so gay', 'blue as the wing of a halcyon wild', the robes of a new-born child. The bright morning, the joyful colour blue and the new-born child together symbolise birth, hope and fresh beginnings.
Fall of night, youth and marriage
In the second stanza, at 'fall of night', the weavers weave 'a garment so bright', 'like the plumes of a peacock, purple and green', the marriage-veils of a queen. The rich, festive colours and the evening hour symbolise youth, love, marriage and celebration, the prime of life.
Moonlight chill, death
In the final stanza, in the 'moonlight chill', the weavers work 'solemn and still', weaving something 'white as a feather and white as a cloud', a dead man's funeral shroud. The cold, silent night, the solemn mood and the white colour symbolise death, mourning and final peace, completing the cycle of life.