The Poetry of Sarojini Naidu

The book is a modest venture into the poetry of Sarojini Naidu, one of the at gifted authors of Indo-Anglian poetry. It is designed as a critical appraisal of Sarojini Naidu and her poetry Chief emphasis has been laid on the chronological presentation systematic analysis and perceptive critical discussions on her poetic art. Besides, it provides scholarly treatments of her poetry along with practical details of textual interpretation. Emphasis has been on Literary criticism and poem-by-poem analysis of her four volumes of poetry. Biographical, intellectual and social background of different poems have been discussed to clear away the misunderstanding of the readers. Thematic and stylistic interpretations have got considerable space. It is hoped that this book will clear away the fog of doubt of the students of Indo-Anglian poetry and serious readers of Sarojini Naidu.

Mishra, Laxmi Narayan, (Born in 1955) has been teaching English in S.G. College, Kanikapada, Cuttack (Orissa) since 1979. IN 1984, he was enrolled as a research scholar in the University of Allahabad on the topic Sri Aurobindo's Dramatic Theory and practice, and he was awarded the degree of D.Phil. in 1987. His doctoral dissertation has been considered as an "original contribution" to Sri Aurobindo Scholarship. He has published more than half a dozen articles and research papers in various leading literary journals. His first book of verse A Vist to Chandrabhaga and first novel Women's Hands appeared under the Writers Workshop imprint in the year 1990 and 1993 respectively.

This book is a modest venture into the poetry of Sarojini Naidu, one of the most gifted authors of Indo-Anglian poetry. A serious student of Sarojini Naidu is very much constricted owing to the inadequacy of perceptive critical discussions on the art and mind of the poetess. My present study is not the first of its kind-several enthusiastic write-ups and books have appeared since the publication of her first volume of poetry, The Golden Threshold (1905). In the entire critical corpus on Sarojini's works rarely do the readers find a book that provides a poem-by-poem analysis of her four volumes of poetry. I hope this comprehensive survey of Sarojini's poetry will ameliorate the constraints. Sarojini has composed the most integrated, beautiful and perfect poems on Indian themes. Her verse of unparalleled magnificence and metaphorical brilliance illumines important concerns of man. Her eloquent poetical effusions, extreme sensibility, brilliant analysis of native passion, revelation of the heart of India and deep indentations on her own experience carved out a golden niche for her in the field of Indo-Anglian poetry. T The wise counsel of some of her celebrated acquaintances was of immense help to her in this regard. Before Indo- Anglian Literature gained currency, Sarojini was busy exploring the beauty and mystery of the Oriental world. The budding tradition of Indo-Anglian poetry can be traced back to the nineteenth century through the writings of Henry Derozio, Kashi Prasad Ghosh, Toru Dutt, and Manmohan Ghose. These early Romantics paved the way for the Modernists in Indian Literature written in English. Now, Sarojini has become almost a "classic" in Indo-Anglian poetry and her place is beside Toru Dutt, Manmohan Ghosh and Harindranath Chattopadhyaya.

**Contents and Sample Pages**