The Bird of Time (eBook)

Sarojini Naidu (1879–1949), also known as The Nightingale of India, was a distinguished Indian poet and political activist. Born in Hyderabad, she was prodigious in her literary pursuits, with English being her poetic medium. Naidu's work is best known for its lyrical beauty and expression of Indian ethos with an impressive command of the English language. Her poetry collection 'The Bird of Time' has had a significant place in Indian literature; the book's title aptly embodies Naidu's preoccupation with the themes of time, nature, and life's ephemeral beauty (Naidu, 1912). Her poetic style combines classical English romanticism with Indian culture, making her work both accessible and culturally rich. Naidu made substantial contributions not only to the arts but was also a prominent figure in India's struggle for independence from British rule, becoming the first Indian woman to hold the position of president of the Indian National Congress. Her literary legacy is remembered for its captivating imagery, sensitive expression of human emotions, and patriotic fervor, standing as an inspiration to readers and writers within India and internationally. The profound empathy and delicate artistry exhibited in her works like 'The Bird of Time' mark her as a key figure in early twentieth-century Indian English literature.