“NIGHTFALL IN THE CITY OF HYDERABAD”

By Sarojini Naidu
See how the speckled sky burns like a pigeon’s throat,
Jeweled with embers of opal and peridote.

See the white river that flashes and scintillates,

Curved like a tusk from the mouth of the city-gates.

Hark, from the minaret, how the muezzin’s call

Floats like a battle-flag over the city wall.

From trellised balconies, languid and luminous

Faces gleam, veiled in a splendor voluminous.

Leisurely elephants wind through the winding lanes,

Swinging their silver bells hung from their silver chains.

Round the high Char Minar sounds of gay cavalcades

Blend with the music of cymbals and serenades.

Over the city bridge Night comes majestical,

Borne like a queen to a sumptuous festival.

This poem vividly describes a bustling and vibrant cityscape:

1. The first stanza compares the sky to a pigeon's throat, emphasizing its speckled
appearance and colorful beauty, which is likened to jewels like opal and peridot.
2. The second stanza describes a white river that sparkles and curves gracefully, resembling
a tusk extending from the city gates. This imagery suggests a natural element within the
urban landscape.
3. The third stanza focuses on the call to prayer emanating from a minaret, likened to a flag
waving in battle, symbolizing the power and resonance of the sound.
4. The fourth stanza portrays people on balconies, their faces hidden but radiant with a rich
splendor, perhaps hinting at the elegance and mystery of the city's inhabitants.
 5. The fifth stanza introduces elephants moving leisurely through the city's winding lanes,
adorned with silver bells that chime as they walk, adding to the sensory experience of the
scene.
6. The sixth stanza depicts the lively sounds of festivities, with cavalcades and music
blending together near the Char Minar, a historical monument. This suggests a joyous
and celebratory atmosphere.
7. Finally, the seventh stanza personifies the arrival of night as majestic, likening it to a
queen arriving at a sumptuous festival. This evokes a sense of grandeur and anticipation
for the evening's events.

Overall, the poem paints a rich and enchanting picture of a city teeming with life, culture, and
celebration, using vivid imagery and sensory details to evoke a sense of wonder and awe.