SOURCE: "Sarojini Naidu," in Indian Writing in English, Asia Publishing House, 1962, pp. 207-225.

In the following essay, Iyengar provides a biographical and critical sketch of Naidu.

Like Tagore and Aurobindo, Sarojini Naidu too was more than a poet; she was one of Mother India's most gifted children, readily sharing her burden of pain, fiercely articulating her agonies and hopes, and gallantly striving to redeem the Mother and redeem the time. It was as an English poet Sarojini Naidu first caught the attention of the public, but that was only the beginning. In course of time the patriot exceeded the poet, and Sarojini Naidu came to occupy some of the highest unofficial and official positions in the public life of India.

While it would perhaps be unwise to talk about her poetry without reference to her life, it would be no less unwise to talk at length about her...