Introduction 

Sarojini Naidu was born on February 13th in 1879 in Hyderabad. She was a political activist and played an active role in the freedom struggle of India. She was the first Indian woman to become the president of the Indian National Congress. In 1947, she became the governor of the United Provinces (U.P), a position she retained till her death in 1949. Apart from her political career she was also an avid poetry writer. For her beautiful poetry she has been lovingly called "The Nightingale of India". Some of her major contributions are "The Golden Threshold" and "The Bird of Time". In 1914, she was elected as fellow of The Royal Society of Literature. Her collected English poems have been published in "The Sceptred Flute" and "The Feather at the Dawn".

Palanquin Bearers

This is one of the most rhythmic and picturesque poems of Sarojini Naidu. The poem is a description of one of the customs of ancient India. The bride was seated in a decorated palanquin. The bride was generally a delicate young girl dressed in very special attire. Four able men were chosen to bear her palanquin. It was a privilege to be chosen as a palanquin bearer.

The poem has many similes that highlight many aspects of the person in the palanquin. One gets the impression that the bride is light and beautiful. The palanquin bearers are honoured to be allowed to carry her and take care to be gentle and careful with their palanquin.

The four men would walk with a rhythmic beat so that the ride would be smooth. The poem conveys this rhythm. When we read the poem we experience this rhythmic beat.

Question (1): Lightly, O lightly we bear her along,
She sways like a flower in the wind of our song;
She skims like a bird on the foam of a stream,
She floats like a laugh from the lips of a dream.
Gaily, O gaily we glide and we sing,
We bear her along like a pearl on a string.

What is the rhyme scheme of this poem? Pick out the rhyming words in stanza 1.

Question (2): The poet has used a number of comparisons. What is this poetic device called?

Question (3): Match the following:

A B
Lightly O Lightly Simile
She floats like a laugh Refrain
We bear her along like a pearl on a string Repetition

Question (4): Why has the refrain been used in this poem? What does it convey?

Question (5): Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:

"She skims like a bird on the foam of a stream.
She floats like a laugh from the lips of a dream gaily, o gaily we glide and we sing we bear her along like a pearl on a string"

a) How does the poet describe the movements of the bride?

b) What do the Palanquin bearers do while carrying the bride?

c) What figure of speech is used in the above line. Name and pick the line.

Question (6): How do the palanquin bearers carry the bride? What is so special bout them? Answer in not more than 100 words?

Question (7): Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:

Lightly, O lightly we bear her along.
She sways like a flower in the wind of our song;
She skims like a bird on the foam of a stream,
She floats like a laugh from the lips of a dream,
Gaily, O gaily we glide and we sing,
We bear her along like a pearl on a string.

a) Why do the Palanquin Bearers carry the bride "lightly"?

b) How does the poet describe the bride?

c) Explain the comparison "She sways like a flower".

Question (8): Softly, O softly we bear her along,
She hangs like a star in the dew of our song;
She springs like a beam on the blow of the tide,
She falls like a fear from the eyes of a bride,
Lightly, O lightly we glide and we sing,
We bear her along like a pearl on a string.

a) Why do the Palanquin Bearers carry the bride singing? What is this song about?

b) What is the bride compared to in the above stanza?

c) What contradiction is there in the poem? Why has the poet used it?

Multiple Choice Questions

Question (1): The palanquin bearers are carrying
1. a queen
2. a dead body
3. a bride
4. a princess

Question (2): They are singing a song comparing the person within
1. to the swaying of the branches of a tree
2. to the swaying of a kite in the sky
3. to the swaying of a flower in the wind
4. to the soaring of a bird

Question (3): "Like a pearl on a string" indicates that the lady within
1. is light and easy to carry
2. is rich and beautiful
3. is precious as a jewel
4. wears many pearls

Question (4): The poem palanquin bearers is written by
1. Sarojini Naidu
2. Alfred lord Tennyson
3. William words worth
4. Thomas Campbell

Question (5): The rhyme scheme of the poem is
1. abab
2. aabb
3. abcb
4. abcd