The Harp of India By Henry Derozio Summary

Henry Derozio, a significant Portuguese-originated Indian poet of the early 19th century, wrote the patriotic song "The Harp of India." This very motivating and powerful poem inspires the youth of India to awake from his sleep and fight for his pride and glory. The poet used a collection of colorful, attractive pictures and emotional essence in the poem to describe the rich culture and heritage of India. He weeps on the present state of India under British colonial rule and ignites a flame of hope for a brighter future. "The Harp of India" signifies a powerful patriotic feeling of a Native towards his country who is grateful for its cultural richness that used to be famous worldwide. The poet describes a harp (musical instrument) presented in lousy condition. Its strings were cut, and no one was interested in it anymore. It is surrounded by silence and loneliness and is neglected by the other instruments.

Meaning of Harp

The harp is a musical instrument that generally has a triangular shape. It consists of a frame holding a figure of parallel strings played by fingers. The modern orchestral harp has an upright frame with pedals that return the strings to different keys.

Poem

The Harp of India

Why hang'st thou lonely on yon withered bough?
Unstrung for ever, must thou there remain;
Thy music once was sweet ? who hears it now?
Why doth the breeze sigh over thee in vain?
Silence hath bound thee with her fatal chain;
Neglected, mute, and desolate art thou,
Like a ruined monument on a desert plain:

Explanation: 'Thou' is an old English word that means you. In the first line, the poet describes the poetry of India and its civilization. The poet asks the harp why it is upset and gloomy like a withered branch. The strings of the harp have been untied or cut, so the harp must remain hung without any movement. The harp is no more beneficial to the people as its strings are not with it. The music of the harp once was so sweet and melody. But now, no one is interested in listening to this. The poet asks why this moving air visits you, takes a deep breath, and tries to generate a musical sound out of you, though you need to be more helpful now. The effort of the moving air is in vain. The power of silence is so strong that it has bounded and covered you with its harmful chain. The harp must be addressed, used, soundless, and lonely here. The poet compared the harp with the ruined and destroyed monument situated uncared and lonely in a vast and dried desert. The destroyed monument symbolizes an entity of no interest here.

O! Many a hand more worthy far than mine
Once thy harmonious chords to sweetness gave,
And many a wreath for them did Fame entwine
Of flowers still blooming on the minstrel's grave:
Those hands are cold ? but if thy notes divine
Maybe by mortal wakened once again,
Harp of my country, let me strike the strain!

Explanation: The poet talks about the hands of the people who write far better than the poet. They wrote better poetries than the poet. They are the greatest of their time. In the following line, the poet describes the time when Indian poets used to be famous in the world for their harmonious chords. Their writings were admired whole over the world. The wreath described in the stanza shows the dignity of these poets. Their Fame was at its peak. Even after their demise, their works have been significantly remembered and honored. The flowers mean the poem; the flowers are still blooming on their graves. Now, those great poets were dead, and they could not create new poems. There is the possibility of creating such poems by new poets of India. They might inspire by their ancestors and work with dedication to create beautiful poems again.

The Central Theme of the Poem

The central theme of "The Harp of India" is patriotism and appreciation of the rich culture of India that used to be famous worldwide. The poem reflects the poet's deep love for his homeland, India, and its cultural harmony. The poet feels sad about the current condition of India under British colonial rule. It generates a sense of national pride and motivation for India to reclaim its independence and regain its former fantastic glory. The harp's silence represents the suppression of India's voice and the loss of its freedom. The poet inspires the harp to wake up and play the music of liberty again.

Throughout the poem, Derozio highlights India's remarkable past, celebrating its rich cultural heritage, contributions to civilization and literature, and the achievements of its poets in literature. He says that India was once a hub of knowledge. However, the poet also expresses his sorrow at the present state of India, which he sees as weakened and controlled by a foreign power. Derozio emphasizes a hope of change through the poem. He explained through his words that freedom in India is possible if we take inspiration from our ancestors and work hard for the aim. It serves as an emotional plea for unity, urging the people of India to awaken their patriotic spirit and strive towards a brighter future where the harp of India can once again awake with the melody of liberty.

Analyses of the Poem

The poem is a sonnet. A sonnet is a poem that consists of 14 lines with a different rhyming scheme. It is written in the first-person point of view. The rhyming scheme of the poem is ababbabcdcdcbb. The poem is written at a time when India used to run under colonial power, and Britain had complete control over India and its resources.

Literary Devices

Several literary devices have been used to enhance the poem's impact and convey its themes effectively. Here are some of the literary devices used in the poem and examples of where they are used:

1. Metaphor: The poet uses the metaphor of the harp to symbolize India. The harp represents India's lost pride, silenced and neglected under British colonial rule.
2. Personification: The poet personifies the harp, addressing it as a human with feelings like sorrow. For example,
   Why hangs thou lonely on the yon withered bough?
   Unstrung forever, must thou there remain;
   Thy music once was sweet ? who hears it now?
   Why doth the breeze sigh over thee in vain?
   Silence hath bound thee with her fatal chain;
3. Imagery: The poem uses particular styles and words to create an imaginary picture of India during British colonial rule as silenced, lonely, and filled with sorrow. For example, Neglected, mute, and desolate art thou,
   Like a ruined monument on a desert plain:
4. Simile: Simile is used in the poem. The use of like words shows similes anywhere in the poem. For example,
   Like a ruined monument on a desert plain:
5. Synecdoche is a literary device that comes into the picture when a part of the sentence rather than the complete line is used in the poem. For example,
   Many a hand
   Those hands are cold.

About the Poet

Henry Derozio was an influential Indian poet, educator, and social reformer of the early 19th century. He was born in Kolkata, India, on 18 April 1809. His full name was Henry Louis Vivian Derozio. He is often regarded as one of the first Indian poets to write in English and played a significant role in the Bengal Renaissance. Derozio's writing career started during his teenage years when he contributed poems and essays to various newspapers and journals. His writings show his deep love for his motherland, India, and his criticism of British colonial rule. He was known for his patriotic and revolutionary spirit, expressing his aspirations for a free and developing India. Derozio continues to inspire generations of Indian writers. His work on critical thinking, social justice, and the power of literature to initiate change has left a lasting impact on India's literary and cultural landscape. He was an assistant headmaster at Hindu College, Kolkata. He died on 26 December 1831 at a very young age. His famous work includes "To the Moon," "To the India- My Native Land," and The Harp of India.

Conclusion

"The Harp of India" concludes with a powerful message to awaken the sleeping harp, revive its music, and allow its melodious strains to be heard across the land. The poet weeps on the present state of India under British colonial rule and ignites a flame of hope for a brighter future.