"In The Bazaars of Hyderabad" is a poem written by Sarojini Naidu in early 20th century. She was a freedom fighter and was a part of the Swadeshi Movement.During that time, Indian newspapers were banned, so she thought of inspiring people through her poems.
The poem takes place in the markets of Hyderabad. Hyderabad is a city which is the meeting point of the Hindu and Islamic cultures. Therefore, the wares sold by the people there, fulfill the need of every class of the society - rich or poor/ Hindu or Muslim. The poet provides us a beautiful view of colours, sounds smells, tastes and sights of an Indian Bazaar. She has touched upon all five vibrant senses of the human body to describe the Indian Bazaar.
Visual depiction is described by the use of lively colours at the start of the poem. She questioned the merchants about what were they selling, to which the merchants answered that they were selling silver and crimson coloured turbans, purple brocade tunics, mirrors framed in amber and daggers with handles made of jade. Through the first stanza, she is telling the people about the rich Indian culture. She is telling that bright colours have always been a sign of happiness in India. By the beautiful visual depiction of colours, she is inspiring the Indians to buy Swadeshi goods.
Olfactory senses are stimulated in the second stanza through the use of fragrances. She asked the maidens that what were they grinding, to which they replied that they were grinding henna, sandalwood and spices. Henna and Sandalwood are of great medical importance also in India. Henna is also used to put on the Bride's hands, as it signifies happiness. The spices of India have a great smell, and smell is an important factor in Indian food.
The poet has created a gustatory depiction through fruits like lemons, pomogrante and plums and the main Hyderabadi food such as lentils and rice. The taste of Indian food is mouth-watering and cannot be found anywhere else.
Then, the poet has created an oditory imagery through the music of India (i.e. classical music) and the magical spells chanted by the magicians. When she asked the musicians that were they playing, they answered that they were playing Sitar, Sarangi and drums. When she asked the magicians the same question, they told her that they were chanting magical spells to charm thousand ages to come. The poet is telling that the Indian classical music is so sweet and peaceful to hear. She is telling the Indians to hear our Indian Music and repect it too.
Last but not the least, The poet has used tactile imagery. The poet asks the goldsmiths that what do they manufacture. They answered that they manufactred necklace, wristlets, anklets and rings. They said that they also make bells for the feet of the blue pigeons. The bells are as delicate as a drangonfly's wing.
By describing about the Indian Market, the poet just wants to inspire us to buy Swadeshi goods amd not foreigm goods. We should repect our culture and be happy that no-where else in the world can a culture be found like India's.
THE WHOLE POEM IS MENTIONED BELOW:-
In The Bazaars of Hyderabad :
What do you sell, 0 ye merchants?
Richly your wares are displayed,
Turbans of crimson and silver,
Tunics of purple brocade,
Mirrors with panels of amber,
Daggers with handles of jade.
What do you weigh, 0 ye vendors?
Saffron and lentil and rice.
What do you grind, 0 ye maidens?
Sandalwood, henna and spice.
What do you call, 0 ye pedlars?
Chessmen and ivory dice.
What do you make, 0 ye goldsmiths?
Wristlet and anklet and ring,
Bells for the feet of blue pigeons,
Frail as a dragon-fly's wing,
Girdles of gold for the dancers,
Scabbards of gold for the king.
What do you cry, 0 ye fruitmen?
Citrus, pomegranate and plum.
What do you play, 0 ye musicians?
Sitar, sarangi and drum.
What do you chant, 0 ye magicians?
Spells for aeons to come.
What do you weave, 0 ye flower-girls,
With tassels of azure and red?
Crowns for the brow of the bridegroom,
Chaplets to garland his bed,
Sheets of white blossoms new-gathered
To perfume the sleep of the dead.
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