Chapter 3 (In the Bazaars of Hyderabad)
"What do you sell, O ye merchants?
Richly your wares are displayed."
1. Who and where is the speaker of these lines?
Ans: The speaker is the poet, Sarojini Naidu (or an observer), who is walking through the lively and colourful bazaars of Hyderabad.
2. What does 'wares' mean?
Ans: 'Wares' means goods or items that are offered for sale.
3. What do the merchants reply?
Ans: The merchants reply that they sell turbans of crimson and silver, tunics of purple brocade, mirrors with panels of amber, and daggers with handles of jade.
1. Where is the poem set?
Ans: The poem is set in the traditional and bustling bazaars of Hyderabad.
2. Who are the different people addressed in the poem?
Ans: The poet addresses merchants, vendors, maidens, pedlars, goldsmiths, fruitmen, musicians, magicians, and flower-girls.
3. What do the merchants sell?
Ans: The merchants sell richly made items like turbans of crimson and silver, tunics of purple brocade, mirrors with amber panels, and daggers with handles of jade.
4. What fruits are being sold and what instruments are being played in the poem?
Ans: The fruits being sold are citron, pomegranate, and plum. The instruments being played are the cithar, the sarangi, and drums.
5. Where are the following ornaments worn—a ring, a wristlet, an anklet and a girdle?
Ans: A ring is worn on a finger, a wristlet is worn on the wrist, an anklet is worn on the ankle, and a girdle is worn around the waist.
6. How does the poet suggest that life is full of joy and sorrow?
Ans: The poet suggests this by showing that the flower-girls are weaving items for both happy and sad occasions. They make crowns for a bridegroom (joy) and also weave sheets of white blossoms to be used for a funeral (sorrow).
7. What is common to sandalwood and spice?
Ans: Both sandalwood and spice are aromatic substances that are being ground by the maidens in the bazaar.
8. Which game seems to be popular in the city?
Ans: The game of chess seems to be popular, as the pedlars are selling chessmen made of ivory.
9. Name the figure of speech in the line, 'Frail as the dragon-fly's wing'.
Ans: The figure of speech is a Simile, as it uses the word 'as' to compare the bells to a dragon-fly's wing.
10. Explain the line, 'Spells for the aeons to come'.
Ans: This line means that the magicians are chanting magic spells that are intended to last for a very long period of time ('aeons').
11. List the sets of rhyming words in the poem.
Ans: The rhyming words are: displayed-jade, rice-spice, dice-price, ring-wing, king-wing, plum-drum, come-drum, red-dead, gathered-dead.
12. What quality of the king is suggested by the word 'scabbard'?
Ans: The word 'scabbard', which is a cover for a sword, suggests that the king is a warrior and has military power and authority.
13. List the colours in the poem. What effect do they create?
Ans: The colours mentioned are crimson, silver, purple, amber (yellow-brown), azure (bright blue), and red. These colours create a vivid, rich, and vibrant picture of the bazaar, making it feel lively and visually splendid.
14. Why do you think the poet has used the question-answer format in this poem?
Ans: The poet uses a question-answer format to make the poem feel like a real conversation. It creates a lively and engaging atmosphere, as if the reader is walking through the bazaar with the poet and listening to the sounds and interactions of the people there.
1. A Goldsmith is a person who makes articles of gold.
2. A Pedlar is a person who goes from house to house peddling small articles.
3. A Vendor is a person who offers small wares for sale.
4. A Magician is a person who performs magical tricks.
5. A Musician is a person who is skilled in music.
A Visit to a Handicrafts Fair
Last Sunday, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit the annual handicrafts fair held at the city ground. The moment I entered, I was greeted by a vibrant explosion of colours, sounds, and creativity. The entire place was buzzing with energy, with stalls representing various states of India, each showcasing its unique art and culture.
The stalls were beautifully decorated. I saw artisans from Rajasthan selling bright bandhani dupattas and intricate silver jewellery. A little further, a stall from West Bengal had stunning terracotta horses and delicate Kantha stitch sarees. What attracted me the most was a stall from Assam, where they were selling beautiful 'Jaapi' (traditional hats) and products made from bamboo. I was fascinated to see how simple, natural materials could be turned into such beautiful objects.
I bought a pair of colourful wooden toys from a stall from Uttar Pradesh for my younger brother and a lovely hand-painted vase for my mother. The air was also filled with the melodies of folk music, as there were live performances by artists on a small stage. It was a wonderful outing where I not only enjoyed myself but also learned so much about the rich craft heritage of our country. The day was indeed well spent.
A. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
B. Fill in the Blanks
1. The merchants sell tunics of purple _______________.
Ans: brocade
2. The vendors weigh saffron, _______________ and rice.
Ans: lentil
3. The musicians play the cithar, sarangi and _______________.
Ans: drum
4. The pedlars are selling chessmen and _______________ dice.
Ans: ivory
C. Short Answer Type Questions
1. What do the maidens grind in the bazaar?
Ans: The maidens grind sandalwood, henna, and spice.
2. List three items the goldsmiths make for sale.
Ans: The goldsmiths make wristlets, anklets, and rings for sale.
3. What do the fruitmen cry out to sell?
Ans: The fruitmen cry out to sell citron, pomegranate, and plum.
4. What items do the flower-girls weave for a dead person's funeral?
Ans: They weave sheets of newly-gathered white blossoms to perfume the sleep of the dead.
D. Long Answer Type Questions
1. Describe the scene at the goldsmith's stall as depicted in the poem.
Ans: The scene at the goldsmith's stall is one of delicate and intricate craftsmanship. The goldsmiths are making beautiful ornaments such as wristlets, anklets, and rings. They also craft bells for the feet of blue pigeons, which are described as being as "frail as a dragon-fly's wing." Furthermore, they make golden girdles for dancers and scabbards (sheaths) for the king's sword, showing that their work caters to everyone from common pigeons to royalty.
2. Explain how Sarojini Naidu uses sensory imagery (sight, sound, and smell) to bring the bazaar to life.
Ans: Sarojini Naidu masterfully uses sensory imagery to create a realistic and immersive experience of the bazaar.
- Sight: She paints a visual masterpiece with colours like "crimson and silver" turbans, "purple brocade" tunics, and "azure and red" tassels. The "richly displayed" wares, mirrors, and fruits appeal strongly to our sense of sight.
- Sound: The bazaar is filled with the sounds of vendors and fruitmen crying out their wares, the music from the "cithar, sarangi and drum," and the chanting of magicians.
- Smell: The poet evokes our sense of smell with the mention of maidens grinding fragrant "sandalwood, henna and spice" and the flower-girls weaving "sheets of white blossoms" to "perfume the sleep of the dead."