2.2: ‘Indian Weavers’
Maharashtra State Board
Class 12, English
Sarojini Naidu
- Born on February 13, 1879
- Indian political activist and poet
- A proponent of civil rights and women’s emancipation ideas
- Important figure in India’s struggle for independence
- First woman to hold the office of Governor
- Gandhiji called her the Nightingale of India
- Died on March 2, 1949
‘Indian Weavers’
Indian Weavers is a short poem where the poet talks about three types of garment that the weavers weave at three particular times of a day. Each stanza of the poem represents the three important events of human life: birth (childhood), adulthood (young) and death (old). The colours mentioned in the stanzas are very significant as they indicate the moods related to the events.
- The poet delicately weaves together the vibrant tapestry of India’s rich cultural heritage and the timeless rhythm of life.
- This enchanting poem takes readers on a journey through the hands of skilled weavers, whose intricate craft is not just a livelihood but a symbolic reflection of the human experience.
- Each stanza unveils a stage of life, mirroring the threads that intertwine birth, marriage, and death, showcasing the seamless blend of artistry and tradition.
- Sarojini Naidu skillfully captures the essence of life’s fleeting moments through the eyes of Indian weavers.
Poem
Weavers, weaving at break of day,
Why do you weave a garment so gay?…
Blue as the wing of a halcyon wild,
We weave the robes of a new-born child.
Weavers, weaving at fall of night,
Why do you weave a garment so bright?…
Like the plumes of a peacock, purple and green,
We weave the marriage-veils of a queen.
Weavers, weaving solemn and still,
What do you weave in the moonlight chill?…
White as a feather and white as a cloud,
We weave a dead man’s funeral shroud.
ICE BREAKERS
Activity: Artisans are also called craftsmen. They are creators of diverse goods and use their hands to create unique, functional and also decorative items using traditional techniques. Now complete the web given below:
Activity: Discuss with your partner, the seasons / occasions when we need:
Activity: Let’s play a game. Complete the following:
Activity: We have often seen the picture of Gandhiji spinning on his Charkha. Discuss the reasons behind this:
Activity: Name some tools used by weavers:
- Loom
- Needle
- Weaving comb
- Shed Stick
- Yarn
- Scissor
Activity: Name some types of yarns:
- Linen
- Wool
- Silk
- Cotton
- Nylon
- Rayon
- Polyester
- Bamboo
BRAINSTORMING
Activity: Discuss with your partner about the following vocations:
Activity: Discuss the various products made by weavers in the poem:
- Robes of a new-born child
- The marriage-veils of a queen
- A dead man’s funeral shroud.
Activity: The words in the three stanzas of the poem mention different times of a day. Complete the table:
| TIME OF THE DAY |
WORDS / PHRASES |
WEAVER’S WORK |
| Early morning | Break of day | Weavers weave robes for the new-born child |
| Late in the evening | Fall of night | Weavers weave marriage-veils of a queen |
| Cold night | Chill moonlight | Weavers weave a dead man’s funeral shroud |
Activity: The poem reveals three phases of life. Fill in the blanks with colours and feelings appropriate to the phases of life:
| New-born / Childhood |
Youth / Adulthood |
Old age / Death |
|
| Colour | Blue | Purple, Green | White |
| Feelings | Hopes, Expectations | Confidence, Enjoyment | Frustrations, Loneliness |
Activity: Complete.
- The weavers weave in the chill moonlight: a dead man’s funeral shroud
- The weavers weave in the morning: the robes of a new-born child
- The weavers weave in the evening: the marriage veil of a queen
Activity: Pick out two words used to describe the weavers in the last stanza. Also state their importance:
The word are: Solemn and Still
Importance: The weavers are quite Solemn and Still. They are very serious and calm. They are not happy because they know that they are weaving a dead man’s funeral shroud.
Activity: Personal Response.
Express your views about the Present Condition of Weavers:
Today, all over the world, we find the weavers facing very serious problems. Growing industrialization as well as modernization affected their life badly. To get the raw material has become a challenging task for them. Today, people prefer artificial ready-made dresses. In India, the ‘Village and Khadi Gramodyog Industry’ is absolutely ruined.
Activity: Personal Response.
Describe in your own words the Steps or measures that can be taken to solve the problems of weavers:
Today, all over the world, we find the weavers facing very serious problems. Growing industrialization as well as modernization affected their life badly. To get the raw material has become a challenging task for them. Today, people prefer artificial ready-made dresses. In India, the ‘Village and Khadi Gramodyog Industry’ is absolutely ruined.
Activity: Personal Response.
Express your own views and opinions from the weavers’ point of view and complete the following table:
| Stanza | Activity of weavers | Views/Opinion |
| FIRST | Robes for a new-born child | The weavers feel happy and exciting because someone entered in this world. |
| SECOND | Marriage veils for a queen | The weavers feel very interesting because someone is going to start a new life. |
| THIRD | Funeral shroud of a dead man | The weavers feel very sad because someone goes away from us. |
Activity: Pick out the rhyming words from the poem:
- day – gay
- wild – child
- night – bright
- green – queen
- still – chill
- cloud – shroud
Rhyme scheme of all stanzas: aabb
Activity: Vocabulary: Give Antonyms and Synonyms of the following and make sentences of your own:
Activity: Vocabulary: Word register (Related words)
Word Register means some certain words that are related to a specific word.
For example: The word ‘war’
Word register: enemy, tanks, soldiers, attack, firing, cease fire, bloodshed, artillary, proxy war etc.
Make a Word Register for: clothes/attire/dress
- Clothes: weaver, yarn, cotton, silk, textile etc.
- Attire: coat, uniform, similarity, ‘khaki’, neck tie etc.
- Dress: wear, ironing, dress material, change etc.
Activity: Complete the table:
| Figure of Speech | Line |
| Simile | Blue as the wing of a halcyon wild Like the plumes of a peacock, purple and green White as a feather and white as a cloud |
| Imagery | at break of day, at fall of night, Blue as the wing, purple and green, white as a cloud |
| Metaphor | Weavers, weaving at break of day Weavers, weaving at fall of night |
| Alliteration | Weavers, weaving at break of day Blue as the wing of a halcyon wild Like the plumes of a peacock, purple and green |
| Inversion | Blue as the wing of a halcyon wild |
| Interrogation | Why do you weave a garment so gay?… Why do you weave a garment so bright?… What do you weave in the moonlight chill?… |
Activity: Compose four lines on ‘Importance of clothes’
Clothes keep us warm when it’s cold outside,
They protect our skin, give us a place to hide.
In bright colors or simple shades,
They tell our story, in many ways.
From soft cotton to smooth silk,
Clothes can be cozy like a warm quilt.
They show who we are, what we like,
A part of us, day and night.
In work clothes, school clothes, and play,
They help us through each busy day.
They guard us from the sun and rain,
And keep us safe from hurt and pain.
A sweater, a jacket, a dress, or jeans,
Clothes fit all our daily routines.
They help us feel good, look our best,
In every season, they pass the test.
Clothes can be fancy or plain and neat,
They cover us from head to feet.
More than just fabric, they’re a part of life,
In joy and trouble, in peace and strife.
Activity: Write an Appeal to use handloom products in our daily life:
Activity: Find out information about the ‘Mahavastra’ (Paithani) of Maharashtra:
The Mahavastra (Paithani) is more than just a saree; it is a piece of art and a symbol of Maharashtra’s rich cultural heritage. Its exquisite craftsmanship and timeless be-auty make it a treasured possession for those who wear it.
Overview
- Mahavastra, also known as Paithani, is a traditional saree from Maharashtra, India.
- Named after the town of Paithan in the Aurangabad district.
- Known for its rich history, exquisite craftsmanship, and intricate designs.
- Paithani sarees date back to the Satavahana dynasty (2nd century BCE – 2nd century CE).
- Historically, they were patronized by royals and aristocrats.
- Fabric: Made from pure silk with zari (gold or silver threads).
- Weaving: Handwoven on traditional looms, making each saree unique.
- Designs: Rich motifs such as peacocks, lotuses, and vines.
- The pallu (the decorative end of the saree) often features intricate patterns.
- Borders and pallu are typically of contrasting colors.
- Worn on special occasions like weddings, festivals, and ceremonies.
- Represents the cultural heritage and artistic excellence of Maharashtra.
- Requires delicate handling due to its intricate weave and delicate materials.
- Typically dry-cleaned to maintain its luster and longevity.
2.2: ‘Indian Weavers’: Download PDF
