POTRAITS OF HYDERABAD: A CENTURY OF FACE TIME

SAROJINI NAIDU   (1879-1949)
An Indian writer and political leader.

 Sarojini Naidu, born on February 13, 1879 in Hyderabad is one of the most eminent personalities of India. She was a great patriot, a freedom fighter who worked closely with Mahatma Gandhi, and was a social worker. She was the first Women to become the President of the National Congress of India and the first women  governor of India. In the literary world she is remembered for her renowned poetry.

Born in an intellectual elite family Sarojini's father, Dr. Aghornath Chattopadhyaya, was a scientist and the founder of the reputable Nizam College, of Hyderabad. He was among the first member of the congress party of India. Her mother Varansundari was a known Bengali poetess. Sarojini herself was a graduate of the King's University of London and Girtin College of Cambridge.

Sarojini  loved poetry as child. At thirteen she wrote "The Lady of the Lake", a poem 1300 lines long.  Her writings were in Urdu, Hindi, English and also in Persian languages. She wrote the play "Maher Muneer" in the Persian language.  Her work was greatly admired by the Nizam of Hyderabad, Rabindranath Tagore and Jawaharlal Nehru. Her first volume of poetry was "Golden Threshold"  and the poem "Bul Bule Hind" became famous work in this collection. Later, she published "The Bird of Time, The Broken Wings, Feast of Youth, The Magic Tree, The Wizard Mask and A Treasury of Poems were published and received the world's attention.

Sarojini Naidu Devi worked closely with Mahatma Gandhi and Gopal l Krishna Gokhale in the India's struggle for independence. She was jailed for 21 months with Mahatma and was arrested several times during this movement. She became the leader of Indian National Congress. She traveled to several countries including USA and spoke eloquently the message of non-violence. She  fought for the rights of the women of India and became the first women governor of the free India as the Governor of Uttar Pradesh. 

She died on March 2, 1949. Her birthday is celebrated as a women's day in India.

She was proud to be an Indian and a Hyderabadi .