Indian Weavers (Poem) by Sarojini Naidu

Following poem is by Sarojini Naidu

Weavers, weaving at break of day,
Why do you weave a garment so gay?
Blue as the wing of halcyon wild
We weave the robes of a new-born child.

Weavers, weaving at fall of night,
Why do you weave a garment so bright?
Like the plumes of a peacock, purple and green
We weave the marriage veils of a queen

Weavers, weaving solemn and still
What do you weave in the moonlight chill?
White as a feather and white as a cloud
We weave a dead man’s funeral shroud.

Summary

'Indian Weavers' is a short but beautiful poem, consisting of three stanzas. The flow of language is full of rhythm and word images. The weavers are busy weaving clothes in different colours throughout the day. Each colour as well as timing of the day symbolises different occasions in one’s life.

In the morning, they weave a bright blue coloured cloth for a new born baby symbolising birth and happiness. During the day, they weave a bright coloured purple and green cloth for the marriage veil of a queen signifying life’s celebrations. Finally, at night, they weave a white coloured cloth for the shroud of a dead body signifying death.