Std 12th Poem Indian Weavers

2.2 Indian Weavers

Indian Weavers

Indian Weavers by Sarojini Naidu

Indian Weavers a poem by Sarojini Naidu

Sarojini Naidu – Indian Weavers

Std 12th Poem Indian Weavers

Indian Weavers Ice breaker

Indian Weavers Brainstorming

Ice breaker Indian Weavers

Brainstorming Indian Weavers

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Title:

            The title ‘Indian Weavers’ emphases the Indian artisans particularly weavers. The adjective ‘Indian’ is used with the purpose of appreciating the work of Indian Weavers. As the weavers interlace the fabrics, the poetess compares it interwoven relations in our lives.

Theme

With the metaphor of the weavers weaving the garments the poetess has highlightes the interwoven relations in our lives. 

Indian Weavers

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.

– Sarojini Naidu

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Paraphrase

Indian Weavers

Weavers, working at dawn,

Why do you weave such a cheerful garment?

Blue as the wing of a wild kingfisher,

We weave the robes of a newborn child.

Weavers, working at dusk,

Why do you weave such a bright garment?

Like the feathers of a peacock, purple and green,

We weave the wedding veils of a queen.

Weavers, working quietly and seriously,

What do you weave in the moonlit chill?

White as a feather and white as a cloud,

We weave a shroud for a deceased man.

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Summary

‘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 first stanza describes the weavers weaving a cheerful, blue garment for a newborn child. The second stanza describes the weavers weaving a bright, colorful garment for a queen’s wedding. The third stanza describes the weavers weaving a white, funeral shroud for a deceased person. Through these descriptions, the poem explores the diverse range of garments that can be created through the art of weaving and the different occasions they are used for.

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New words: 

1) Weaving – interlacing threads to produce fabrics or cloth 

2) Break of day – morning, dawn, sunrise 

3) Halcyon – Asian/African kingfisher bird

4) Wild – untamed, free 

5) Robe – dress, clothe, frock, dressing gown, housecoat 

6) Plumes – feathers of bird, quills

7) Marriage-veils – bridal veils, wedding veils 

8) Solemn – serious, sober 

9) Still – rest, stable, silent

10) Chill – extreme cool

11) Funeral – burial, cremation, last rites  

12) Shroud –  white cloth for dead body

13) Fall of night- late evening 

14) Bright garments- brightly (shining) colored garments

15) Solemn and still- sacred, serious, quiet 

16) Moonlight chill- cold dead night

17) Gay – with happiness or with fun

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ICE BREAKERS

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:

Answer:

Goldsmith      

Tailor    

Cobbler

Potter  

Carpenter       

Mason

Weaver

Discuss with your partner the seasons/occasions when we need:

Answer:

(a) woollen clothes – winter  

(b) casual clothes – home

(c) rich silk clothes – festivals, weddings, party         

(d) colourful, comfortable clothes – travelling, picnic

Let’s play a game. The teacher will ask the students some questions. Students will understand that there are some exceptions to the general rules. Let’s start.

1) One who weaves is a – weaver   

2) One who plays a game is a – sportsman      

3) One who sings is a   – singer

4) One who dances is a – dancer   

5) One who teaches is a – teacher          

6) One who cooks is a – chef          

We have often seen the picture of Gandhiji spinning on his charkha. Discuss the reasons behind this. One has been given for you.

(a) To give rural people an opportunity to earn their livelihood.

(b) To promote Indian handicrafts               

(c) To make a symbol of charkha synonymous with the power of self-reliance, perseverance, and determination.    

(d) Mahatma Gandhi initiated the Swadeshi movement by taking up the charkha and encouraging the Indians to spin their own cloth.

Name some tools used by the weavers.

Answer:

a) Loom           b) Tapestry Needle      c) Warp Yarn              d) Shed Stick

e) Weaving Comb       f) Scissors        g) Weaving Yarns       h) Dowels            

i) Bobbin

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Name some types of yarns used by the weavers.

a) Linen           b) Alpaca Fiber           c) Sheep’s Wool          d) Silk from Silkworms           e) Hemp

f) Cotton         g) Bamboo                  h) Rayon                     i) Nylon                                   j) Jute


Figures of Speech and Explanation:  

1. Weavers, weaving at break of day.

Alliteration – The sound of letter ‘w’ is repeated.

Climax – The words are arranged in the ascending order.

Metaphor – The birth (childhood stage of man) is implicitly compared with a break of day.

2. Why do you weave a garment so gay? . . .

Alliteration – The sound of letters ‘w’ and ‘g’ are repeated.

Interrogation – A question is used for emphasis.

3. Blue as the wing of a halcyon wild.

Inversion – The words are not in correct order. The correct word order is – The wing of a halcyon wild (is) blue.

Alliteration – The sound of letter ‘w’ is repeated.

Simile – The blue coloured cloth is directly compared with a wing of wild halcyon.

4. We weave the robes of a new-born child.

Alliteration – The sound of letter ‘w’ is repeated.

5. Weavers, weaving at fall of night.

Alliteration – The sound of letter ‘w’ is repeated.

Climax – The words are arranged in the ascending order.

Metaphor- Adulthood (young – the second stage of man) is implicitly compared with the fall of night.

6. Why do you weave a garment so bright? 

Alliteration – The sound of letter ‘w’ is repeated.

Interrogation – The question mark is used.

7. Like the plumes of a peacock, purple and green.

Simile – The garment is directly compared with purple & green coloured plumes of peacock.

Anti-climax – The words purple and green are arranged in descending order.

Alliteration – The sound of letter ‘p’ is repeated.

8. We weave the marriage-veils of a queen.

Alliteration – The sound of letter ‘w’ is repeated.

9. Weavers, weaving solemn and still.

Alliteration – The sounds of letters ‘w’ and ‘s’ are repeated.

Climax – The words ‘weavers’ and ‘weaving’ are arranged in the ascending order.

Paradox – The line is meaningless / absurd as one cannot carry the work of weaving being still.

Anti-climax – The words ‘solemn’ and ‘still’ are arranged in descending order. 

Tautology – The words ‘solemn’ and ‘still’ are similar in meaning. 

10. What do you weave in the moonlight chill? 

Interrogation – A question is used for emphasis.

Inversion – The words are not in correct order. The correct word order is – What do you weave in the chill moonlight?

Alliteration – The sound of letter ‘w’ is repeated.

Metaphor – death (old age – the third and last stage of man’s life) is implicitly compared with moonlight.

11. White as a feather and white as a cloud.

Repetition – The words ‘white’ and ‘as’ are repeated.

Simile – The garment is directly compared with a feather and a cloud.

12. We weave a dead man’s funeral shroud.

Alliteration – The sound of letter ‘w’ is repeated.

13) White as a feather and as a cloud,

We weave a dead man’s funeral shroud.

Simile- funeral shroud is directly compared with a feather and a cloud.

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BRAINSTORMING

(A1) Discuss with your partner about the following vocation:

Weaving

Weaving is a method of fabric production in which two sets of threads, called the warp and the weft, are interlaced to create a fabric

Tailoring

Tailoring is the process of designing, fitting, and altering clothes to fit an individual’s measurements and preferences. Tailors work with a variety of fabrics and materials to create custom-fit garments, such as suits, dresses, and other clothing items. 

Knitting

Knitting is a method of fabric production in which yarn is used to create a series of interlocking loops. Knitting can be done by hand using needles or using a machine. 

Embroidering

Embroidery is the art of decorating fabric or other materials using a needle and thread or yarn. Embroidery can be done by hand or using a machine and it is used to create a variety of decorative designs and patterns on garments, linens, and other textiles. 

(A2) (i) Discuss the various products made by the weavers in the poem.

The weavers make three different products in the three stanzas of the poem:

In the first stanza the weavers weave a cheerful, blue garment for a newborn child. In the

second stanza the weavers weave a bright, colorful garment for a queen’s wedding. In the third stanza the weavers weave a white, funeral shroud for a deceased person.

(ii) The words in the three stanzas of the poem mention different times of the day. Complete the table.

Time of the dayWords/phrasesWeaver’s work
Early morningBreak of dayWeavers weave robes for the new-born child
Late in the eveningFall of nightWeavers weave marriage-veils of a queen.
Cold nightMidnight chillWeavers weave a dead man’s funeral shroud.

(iii) The poem reveals three phases of life. Fill in the blanks with feelings and colours appropriate to the phases of life. One is done for you.

 New-born/ ChildhoodYouth/ AdulthoodOld age / Death
ColourBluePurple and GreenWhite
FeelingHopes and expectationsExcitement, JoyDejection, Lack of enthusiasm

(iv) Complete: The weavers weave in the chill moonlight _______.

The weavers weave in the chill moonlight, solemn and still they weave a shroud for a dead man’s funeral

(v) Pick out two words used to describe the weavers in the last stanza. Also state their importance.

The two words that describe the weavers in the last stanza are ‘solemn’ and ‘still’. The words are used to The weavers are weaving a shroud for the dead man’s funeral, in a serious, sombre and silent state.

(vi) Express your views about the present condition of weavers.

The present condition of the weavers is not good as they have to face huge competition from large textile mills who operate on power looms. They are forced by circumstance to work at these textiles mills for a meagre wages and live a hand to mouth existence.

(vii) Describe in your own words the steps or measures that can be taken to solve the problems of the weavers.

The following steps can be taken to solve the problem of the weavers:

1. The government should provide them with subsidiaries in procuring yarn, giving them easily loans at very less interest rates to set up they own small units.

2. People should be made aware of the products and encouraged to purchase them.

(viii) Express your own views and opinions from the weavers’ point of view and complete the following table.

StanzaActivity (done by weavers)Views/Opinion
First stanzaRobes for a new-born childThe weavers feel happy because they are happy and excited to weave the bright blue robes for the new born baby which is a happy occasion.
Second stanzaMarriage-veils for a queenThe weavers feel enthusiastic because they are weaving the marriage-veils of a queen, which is a joyous occasion.
Third stanzaFuneral shroud of a dead manThe weavers feel sad and depressed because they are sombre and silent while weaving the shroud for the death man’s funeral, which is a sad occasion.

(A3) (i) Pick out the rhyming words from the poem.

day – gay

wild – child

night – bright

green – queen

still – chill

shroud – cloud

(ii) Give antonyms and synonyms of the following and make sentences of your own.

WordAntonymSentenceSynonymSentence
newoldThe old and worn out shoes were discarded for new ones.novelThe team came up with novel ideas to prep up their sales figures.
brightdullThe house appeared very dull as there was not enough sunlight.colourfulThe colourful costume made the clown look funny.
deadaliveAfter watering the withered plants, they seem to be alive and thriving.deceasedEverybody had a kind word about the deceased man.
stillmobileThe mobile library is a hit with the village kids.stationaryThe train was moving so slowly that at first it seemed stationary.
wildtameAnimal trainer Mr. John has even tamed a tiger.feralThe feral dog pack terrorised people in the night.
fallrisePeople travel to Kanyakumari to experience the sunrise.declineThere is a decline in the male to female ratio in India.
childadultOnly an adult person is allowed to enter this bar.infantThe infant was delighted to watch the fire show.

(iii) Make a word register for clothes/attire/dress.

Clothes, attire, dress, shirt, skirt, pant, trouser, blazer, suit, scarf, coat, sweater, jacket, dress, maxi, gown,

(A4) (i) Complete the following table.

Figure of SpeechLine
SimileBlue as the wing of a halcyon wild. White as a feather and white as a cloud.
ImageryLike the plumes of a peacock, purple and green
MetaphorWeavers, weaving at break of day.
AlliterationWeavers, weaving at break of day. Why do you weave a garment so gay?

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(ii) The rhyme scheme in the first stanza is ‘aabb’. Find rhyme schemes in the second and third stanzas.

StanzaRhyme Scheme
Secondccdd
Thirdeeff

(A5) (i) The poet has asked a question at the beginning of every stanza. Explain the effect it creates on the reader.

The poet uses the questions at the beginning of each stanza to engage the reader’s curiosity and create a sense of wonderment. The reader becomes intrigued to learn about the garment being woven by the weaver and the reason for its creation. These lines also employ alliteration as a literary device to enhance their impact.

(ii) Write an appreciation of the poem.

Appreciation of the poem ‘Indian Weavers’

‘Indian Weavers’ is a short poem by Sarojini Naidu, where she 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.

It consists of three stanzas with two rhyming couplets each and is written in iambic tetrameter with a rhyme scheme of ‘aabb’, ‘ccdd’, and ‘eeff’ respectively. The poem uses literary devices such as alliteration, consonance, inversion, metaphor, repetition, and simile to enhance its poetic appeal and create vivid imagery.

The poem is a metaphor for the three stages of human life: birth, youth, and death. It describes Indian weavers who work at different times of the day and simultaneously represents the three stages of life. The weavers weave a new-born baby’s garments in the morning, a queen’s marriage veils in the evening, and a dead man’s shroud at midnight. The central theme of the poem is the parallelism between the three parts of the weaver’s workday and the three stages of human life.

The poem also uses symbolism, with the “threads” of a person’s life being woven by “destiny” or the “Fates,” represented by the weavers in the poem. The message of the poem is that life is a perpetual motion, with each stage characterized by its own emotions before the next stage takes its place.

(iii) Compose four lines on ‘Importance of clothes.’

Clothes protect us from the earthly elements,

And reflect our personality through the garments,

Clothes influence how we feel and strive,

And are important part of everyday life.

(iv) Write an appeal to use handloom products in our daily life.

Dear friends,

As you know, handloom products are traditional textiles that are handmade by skilled artisans using a loom. These products are made with great care and attention to detail, and are a testament to the rich cultural heritage of our country.

Unfortunately, handloom products are often overlooked in favor of mass-produced, machine-made textiles, which can have a negative impact on the livelihoods of handloom artisans and the preservation of traditional craft techniques.

That is why I am appealing to you to consider incorporating handloom products into your daily life. By choosing handloom products, you can support the livelihoods of handloom artisans and help to preserve the rich cultural traditions of our country.

In addition to their cultural and social value, handloom products are also often more durable and of higher quality than their mass-produced counterparts. So not only will you be supporting a good cause, but you will also be investing in a product that will last for many years to come.

I hope you will join me in supporting the handloom industry and its skilled artisans by choosing handloom products in your daily life.

Thank you for your support.

(v) Visit a handloom factory near your locality and write a report of it.

Location: Bharat Handloom House, Solapur

Student Reporter: Indu Shastri

Mumbai, 20th October, 2020

                                                Handloom: The hub of creative hard work.

I had the opportunity to visit a handloom factory in Solapur. The factory was located in a small village on the outskirts of the city, and was a small, modestly sized building.

Upon entering the factory, I was struck by the bustling activity and the sound of the looms at work. There were several rows of looms, each manned by a skilled artisan who was working on creating a beautiful handloom product.

I was introduced to the manager of the factory, who was kind enough to take me on a tour and explain the process of handloom production. He told me that the factory employed around 50 artisans, all of whom were skilled in the traditional craft of handloom weaving.

The artisans at the factory were working on a variety of handloom products, including saris, shawls, and scarves. They were using a variety of colors and patterns, and the finished products were truly stunning.

I was impressed by the dedication and skill of the artisans at the factory, as well as their commitment to preserving the traditional craft of handloom weaving. It was clear that they took great pride in their work, and were committed to producing high-quality products that would be enjoyed by customers.

Overall, my visit to the handloom factory was a truly enriching and educational experience. It gave me a greater appreciation for the hard work and skill that goes into producing handloom products, and reinforced my belief in the importance of supporting traditional crafts and the artisans who practice them.

 (vi) A handicraft exhibition is being organized in your college. You are given the task to compere the inaugural function. Write the script for compering.

Introduction:

Welcome to the Hasthkala Handicraft Exhibition, organized by the Student Council of XYZ College. The exhibition is an opportunity for our talented students and artisans to showcase their skills and creativity, and for visitors to appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship of handmade items.

Aims and Objectives of the exhibition:

The exhibition also aims to promote the importance of preserving traditional handicraft techniques and supporting local artisans.

We hope that this exhibition will inspire more people to appreciate the value and beauty of handmade items, and to support the talented artists and artisans who create them.

Arrival of the dignitaries:

I am happy to announce that the arrival of our Chief Guest Honourable  Mr. Bharat, CEO and founder of Fleet footers Dance Academy. I also welcome our trustees Mrs. and Mr. Bhushan and our Respected Principal Mrs. Indu

Lighting the lamp:

Let us begin this auspicious occasion by lighting the traditional lamp which a symbol of knowledge and learning. And for this I would like to request all the honourable members on the dais to kindly light the traditional lamp and offer prayers.

Introductory speech :

To appraise you about the Art Festival, I request the Principal, Respected Mrs. Indu to deliver her introductory speech.

Inauguration of the exhibition and book release:

Friends, we have prepared here a volume comprising photographs of all the beautiful and unique pieces of art which are displayed today in the auditorium. They are the artistic and skilful contributions from our students and artisians. I request the Chief Guest to release this special book on this occasion and formally inaugurate the art festival.

Cultural programme:

I know you all are eagerly waiting to listen to the gems of music from our school. We now invite this talented band of musicians to display their talent.

Address by the Chief Guest

I would now request our renowed Chief Guest to address the audience … Thank you, Sir, your speech has given us wonderful insights on various aspects of Art and Culture. We are immensely grateful to you for your invaluable words of enlightenment.

Vote of thanks

Before we draw the curtain I take the opportunity to thank all those who have lent a helping hand to make this Handicraft Exhibition  meaningful and for the formal vote of thanks I invite the convener of this programme, our Art teacher Mr. Roshan Sahai.

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(A6) (i) Go to your college library and collect and read the poems written by Sarojini Naidu.

Poems by Sarojini Naidu:

  • A Love Song from the North.
  • A Rajput Love Song.
  • Alabaster.
  • An Indian Love Song.
  • Autumn Song.
  • Corn Grinders.
  • Coromandel Fishers.
  • Bazaars of Hyderabad
  • Bangle Sellers

(ii) Find various career opportunities in Small-scale Industries like Handloom, Art and Craft, Block Printing, etc.

 Career opportunities in Small Scale Industries:

Painter, drawing artist, sculpture, pottery making, soaps and detergents, household cleaner making, screen printers, carpenters, photo frame makers, tailors, fashion designer, garment designers, etc.

(iii) Find out information about the Mahavastra of Maharashtra – Paithani.

Paithani is a type of handwoven silk saree that originates from the Paithan region of Maharashtra, India. It is known for its intricate designs and bright colours, and is often considered a symbol of wealth and status in India.

Paithani sarees are typically made of silk and are adorned with gold or silver zari (a type of metallic thread) work and complex geometric patterns. They are often hand-dyed using natural dyes, resulting in a range of rich, vibrant colors.

Paithani sarees are made using a traditional handloom weaving technique, which can take several weeks or even months to complete. The process involves several steps, including spinning the silk yarn, preparing the loom, and weaving the saree.

Paithani sarees are considered to be a luxury item and are often worn on special occasions, such as weddings and festivals. They are highly prized for their beauty and craftsmanship and are a valued part of India’s cultural heritage.

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Yuvakbharathi

Contents

SECTION ONE (Prose)

1.1 An Astrologer’s Day         R. K. Narayan  

1.2 On Saying “Please”           Alfred George Gardiner

1.3 The Cop and the Anthem             O’Henry

1.4 Big Data-Big Insights

1.5 The New Dress     Virginia Woolf

1.6 Into the Wild        Kiran Purandare

1.7 Why we Travel      Siddarth Pico Raghavan Iyer

1.8 Voyaging Towards Excellence     Achyut Godbole

SECTION TWO (Poetry)

2.1 Song of the Open Road    Walt Whitman

2.2 Indian Weavers                 Sarojini Naidu

2.3 The Inchcape Rock           Robert Southey

2.4 Have you Earned your Tomorrow            Edgar Guest

2.5 Father Returning Home    Dilip Chitre

2.6 Money       William H. Davies

2.7 She Walks in Beauty         George Gordon Byron

2.8 Small Towns and Rivers   Mamang Dai

Figures of Speech (all Poems)

SECTION THREE (Writing Skills)

3.1 Summary Writing

3.2 Do Schools Really Kill Creativity? (Mind-Mapping)

3.3 Note–Making

3.4 Statement of Purpose

3.5 Drafting a Virtual Message

3.6 Group Discussion

SECTION FOUR (Genre-Novel)

4.1 History of Novel

4.2 To Sir, with Love E. R. Braithwaite

4.3 Around the World in Eighty Days           Jules Gabriel Verne

4.4 The Sign of Four   Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle