The Harp of India

The Harp of India

H.L. V. Derozio [1809-1831]

Introduction

Henry Louis Vivian Derozio was an Indian of Indo-Portuguese origin. His father was Portuguese and his mother, Indian. He was born in 1809 when India was under the British rule. Derozio was greatly inspired with love for the country of his birth. Perhaps his contacts with other contemporary Indian nationalistic writers (like Raja Rammohan Roy) influenced his attitude. Though he died of cholera at the early age of 22 in 1831, Derozio's verses reflect maturity and a sensible understanding of the need to love one's own country. There is no doubt that Derozio wrote for instilling patriotic fervour amongst the youth. All his writings seem to promote a spirit that is truly 'Indian'. Amongst the better known of his poems is the narrative The Faqueer of Jungheera.

Derozio's love for his country is expressed in his sonnets The Harp of India and To India—My Native Land. His poems, Evening In August, The Faqueer of Jungheera, The Eclipse and Song of the Indian Girls give ample evidence of his nationalist thought and poetic talents. His poems have elements of English romantic poetry, but are Indian in content, theme and imagery.

Signposts
1. The withered condition of the harp.
2. Why is it in this condition?
3. Previous patriots' contribution.
4. Poet's desire to play the harp.

Poem in Detail

The poet laments over the fact that the rich tradition of Indian poetry (expressing the freedom of speech) lies neglected and is mute like an unstrung harp on the withered bough of a leafless tree. This is because India is under the British rule. The tradition of free expression now remains lifeless. The music produced by the harp was melodious then—but now, 110 one hears it. The breeze blows over the broken harp (of poetry/free expression) without producing any melody from it. The creative talent has been mute, as if it is chained by fetters of silence. Now the harp remains neglected, mute and desolate like a ruined monument in the wilderness of a desert.

The poet recollects that many poets, with greater talent than his own had produced, by strumming on the harp, enchanting music. Their achievement brought them fame, which continues to survive even after their death, like flowers that continue to bloom on the graves of poets buried long ago.

Poets with creative talents are dead and gone. The poet feels that there is still hope. He expresses his desire to revive the divine art of poetic composition by striking on the long neglected harp.

Notes

hang'st: hangs.
yon: that.
withered: dried up and dead.
bough: branch.
Unstrung: untuned.
fatal: deadly; resulting in death.
Neglected: ignored.
mute: dumb; silent.
desolate: deserted; lonely.
desert plain: vast area of sandy
wasteland.
harmonious: melodious.
chords: musical notes in harmony.
wreath: a circular band of flowers.
entwine: to twist or wind something in or around something else.
blooming: blossoming.
minstrel: poet.
cold: lifeless.
divine: heavenly.