Palanquin Bearers by Sarojini Naidu
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.
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 brow of the tide,
She falls like a tear from the eyes of a bride.
Lightly, O lightly we glide and we sing,
We bear her along like a pearl on a string.
Summary of “The Palanquin Bearers” by Sarojini Naidu
The Palanquin Bearers is a melodious poem by Sarojini Naidu that describes the gentle and rhythmic movement of a palanquin carrying a bride. The palanquin bearers sing as they carry her, comparing her to delicate and beautiful elements of nature, such as a pearl, a star, and a swan. The poem captures the bride’s emotions—she is both joyful and sorrowful, symbolizing the mixture of happiness and sadness that comes with marriage. The bearers treat their duty as sacred, carrying her with love and care.
Analysis of “The Palanquin Bearers”
Theme of Joy and Sorrow
The bride is described as “lightly” swaying and “softly” gliding, showing her happiness. However, the phrases “she falls like a tear” and “she skims like a bird on the foam of a stream” reflect her sadness at leaving her home.
Symbolism
The bride represents every woman who transitions from one phase of life to another.
The palanquin bearers symbolize tradition and cultural heritage, as they carry her with devotion.
Use of Imagery
The poet uses soft, floating imagery: “She floats like a laugh,” “She hangs like a star in the dew of our song,” creating a musical and dreamy effect.
Musical Quality
The poem follows a rhythmic pattern, making it sound like a song. The repetition of the refrain—“We bear her along like a pearl on a string”—adds to its melody.
Cultural Context
The poem reflects the traditional Indian custom of carrying brides in palanquins. It also highlights the deep emotions involved in marriage.
Question-Answer
1. What is the main idea of “The Palanquin Bearers”?
The poem describes the palanquin bearers carrying a bride with great care and devotion. It highlights the mixed emotions of joy and sorrow in a bride’s journey from her parental home to her husband’s home.
2. What emotions are expressed in the poem?
The poem expresses happiness, as the bride is starting a new life, and sorrow, as she is leaving her childhood home.
3. What literary devices does Sarojini Naidu use in the poem?
Imagery: The poet uses natural elements like pearls, stars, and swans to describe the bride’s movement.
Repetition: The phrase “We bear her along like a pearl on a string” is repeated to emphasize the bearers’ care.
Metaphor: The bride is compared to a tear, a laugh, and a star to highlight her beauty and emotions.
Alliteration: Words like “softly step” create a musical effect.
4. What does the phrase “She sways like a flower in the wind of our song” mean?
It means that the bride is gracefully moving, just like a flower sways in the breeze. The palanquin bearers’ song makes her journey smooth and gentle.
5. What is the tone of the poem?
The tone is musical, joyful, and slightly melancholic, reflecting both the beauty of the bride’s journey and the sadness of her departure.
6. What does “like a pearl on a string” symbolize?
It symbolizes how delicately and carefully the bearers carry the bride, just like a precious pearl strung on a necklace.
7. What does the palanquin symbolize?
The palanquin symbolizes tradition, marriage, and the transition of a woman’s life from one phase to another.