The Bird Sanctuary

- Sarojini Naidu
Summary
The poet is in conversation with Almighty God according to her, the Bird Sanctuary is a 4 stanza
poem written by Sarojini Naidu like many of her other poems, this poem is metaphorical in
which the poet praises the diversity created by "Master of Bird". She talks about birds of
different colors and breeds. In the first stanza Sarojini describes a garden where a magical tumult
arises as birds, depicted as winged choristers, celebrate the festival of dawn. The birds sing
joyous carols with rich and rhythmic enthusiasm, and their voices are described as coming from
throats of amber, ebony and fawn suggesting a diverse and vibrant array (order) of bird species.
The overall imagery conveys a lively and charming atmosphere in the garden during the break of
dawn. Second stanza describes vivid scenes of nature, depicting various birds like the bulbul,
oriole, honey bird, shama, gull, hoopoe and kingfisher in a lush environment. The high boughs
are laden with nectar and dew, while the grass hosts a wandering gull with sea washed silver.
The hoopoe and kingfisher are highlighted for their distinctive bronze and sapphire blue colors,
creating a rich and colorful imagery of the natural world. In other words, as soon as the dawn
approaches, all birds begin to sing carols (songs) cheerfully in a melodious and joyous tone.
According to the poet, birds like bulbul, oriole, honey bird and shama flit (move swiftly) among
high boughs (branches) from which nectar and dew drips (falls) down. Wandering seagull
parades upon the grass with its sea-washed Silver skin. The hoopoe and the kingfisher also show
their bronze and sapphire blue colors. Wild grey pigeons with dream of building their home
(nest) on the top of the tree fill their beaks with soft, silk-like and thin banyan twigs. However
their some birds like jade-green gipsy parrots which only fly here and there cheerfully and stop
their long flights just to plunder (and eat) red and ripe figs. In other words-
This stanza describes a scene where wild grey pigeons are depicted as dreamers, collecting
materials for a home on the top of the tree. They gather silken dawn and slender banyan twigs.
On the other hand the jade green gipsy parrots are portrayed as care free raiders, interrupting
their sun-ward flight to steel red ripe figs. The contrast between the pigeons and parrots
highlights their different behaviors in seeking shelter and sustenance
In the last stanza, the poet says to god that in his gracious garden, there is joy and freedom, home
for comfort and singing for every feathered thing (i.e. birds). In the end she prays to master of
birds to grant sanctuary and shelter (i.e. home) to even a bird with broken wing. In other words,
she prays to God not to leave even a single creature on earth homeless.
The specific request is for sanctuary and shelter, particularly for a bird with a broken wing,
emphasizing compassion and care for the vulnerable (in the sense of defenseless).
A). Answer the following questions in one sentence each.
1. What causes a 'magic tumult' in the garden?
A magic tumult causes of noise of winged chorister i.e birds wake up in the quiet garden of god.
2. What makes the poet conclude that the wild gray pigeons are looking for a home?
Wild gray pigeons are dreaming to make their home on the top of the tree.
3. Why have 'the Jade-Green gipsy parrots' been called so?
The jade green gipsy parrots have been called so because they are only the gay marauders i.e.
they rob food.
4. Where does the poet find joy? Explain.
The poet finds joy in the gracious quiet garden because there is freedom for making their house
for birds and sing song freely.
5. To whom does the poet make her address in the poem?
The poet makes her address in the poem to the almighty god.

B). Answer the following questions in about 30-40 words.

1. What is each bird mentioned in the poem doing?
The Sarojini Naidu in her poem 'The Bird Sanctuary' describes about the birds in her poem. The
birds in the quiet garden of god wake a magic tumult the sound of winged choristers. They are
signing the song very joyfully the birds with colors amber i.e. yellow, ebony i.e. black and town
i.e. light yellowish brown the bulbul, oriel, honey-bird and shama are flying on the branches of
trees, upon the grass. The hoopoe and kingfisher are of bronze and sapphire blue color where as
the wild pigeons are dreaming to make their home at the top of the tree they are collecting the
beaks with silken down and slender from banyan twigs to make their nest while the green color
gipsy parrots are only gay marauders i.e. are robbers and are flying high to rob the food. Later on
the poet describes that the gracious garden of god is very joyful and has freedom.

2. Explain the term 'gay marauders '.

In contrast, the parrots do not even care for a house like the pigeons. The contentment of living
at one place for the rest of their lives is suffocating. They are the 'gay marauders' of nature,
unanchored to the comforts of the next according to the poet they only pause upon their flight
directed by the sun, to plunder figs of garden. The term 'marauder' literally means a raider It is
also a reference to a lawless adventures who does not conform to the conventions of society.
3. What qualities of the garden draw the birds to it?
The poet Sarojini Naidu have described very beautiful about the birds and the garden in the poem
describes in vivid details all the birds that makes their home in this garden. In "Bird Sanctuary,"
the garden's qualities attract birds with enchanting allure. It offers a verdant haven, resplendent
with vibrant blooms and a symphony of fragrances. Its tranquil refuge, brimming with shelter
and sustenance, beckons feathered visitors to find solace, nourishment, and a harmonious
dwelling.
4. What is the setting of the poem? What are the words or terms used that evoke the scene?
The setting of the poem is in festival of dawn in the garden and it describe the time early
morning at the time of sunrise. The words used to evoke the scenes are like festival of dawn,
Blithely it means birds are singing carols i.e. songs and all other various birds are described with
reference to the precious stones like amber and sapphire. The words used in the poem are also
magical that it the scene which is so beautiful that anyone can imagine it.
5. What is the poet's prayer?
The poet prayers to master of birds that in his gracious garden there is joy and fostering freedom.
And the poet says there is so much of joy and freedom so please let birds sing here and freely
and build their nests for every birds in the sky. The poet prayers to the master of birds who are
coming back home with their broken wings so they can take rest and recover in the sanctuary.
The poet is describing the bird’s condition and wants to help them.
C). Answer the following questions in about 150 words.
1. Discuss the metaphorical significance of the 'garden' and the sanctuary it provides in the
poem.
In "The Bird Sanctuary" by Sarojini Naidu, the garden represents a peaceful retreat from the
hustle and bustle of daily life. The sanctuary servers as a refuge from the turmoil of the outside
world, a place where people can forget their own care and enjoyed the beauty of nature. The
garden is a metaphor for a state of mind that is at peace, calm, and harmonious. The poem
suggests that the garden is not just a physical space but also a mental space. It provides a
sanctuary, a place where people can escape the struggles of daily life and find solace in the
natural world. The garden is a place of rest and renewal, where one can forget their worries and
find tranquility. Moreover, the poem suggests that the garden is place of unity, where all people
can come together regardless of their social status or background. In the garden, people can
connect with one another and share in the joy of nature. This is symbolized by the birds of
different feathers that race, flutters and frolic together in the sanctuary. Overall, the garden in
"The Bird Sanctuary". Servers as a metaphor for a peaceful, harmonious state of being that
provides
Sanctuary and renewal to people. It represents a space where people can come together and
enjoy the beauty of nature, find solace and renewal, and connect with one another in a spirit of
unity and brotherhood.
2. How does Naidu bring in the play of colors and movements to describe the rapturous joy
of the garden in 'The Bird Sanctuary'?
In 'The Bird Sanctuary' by Sarojini Naidu, the play of colors and movements is used to describe
the rapturous joy of the garden. Naidu uses vivid descriptions of different birds and their colors
to bring the garden to life. For instance, she describes the kingfisher darting through the air, its
bright colors contrasting against the greenery of the garden. She also mentions the vivid sparrow
playing and frolicking throughout the day. The mournful notes of the pigeons from the causerie
groves add a somber tone to the otherwise joyful atmosphere of the garden. Furthermore, Naidu
uses the movements of the birds to create a sense of liveliness and energy in the garden. The
birds are described as racing fluttering, and frolicking, which creates an atmosphere of activity
and excitement. The movements of the birds add to the sense of joy and vitality that permeates
the garden. Overall, the play of colors and movements in 'The Bird Sanctuary' creates a vivid
picture of the rapturous joy of the garden by using descriptions of the different birds and their
colors, as well as their movements and convey the sense of happiness and vitality that it
provides.