Poetry is the language of our collective human soul, the pulse of our civilisational rhythm. It transcends time, language and geography, giving voice to emotions too deep for prose and ideas too vast for policy. In India, poetry has never been confined to books or performances; it has flourished in temples and courts, echoed through freedom marches and family gatherings, and found its place in lullabies and national celebrations.
For me, poetry brings back warm childhood memories, especially of my mother’s love. As a child, I used to complain endlessly each morning when it was time to wake up. My mother, with infinite patience and a loving smile, would recite lines from Ramdhari Singh Dinkar’s poem Neend. I can still hear her gentle voice singing:
(Glory to the one who discovered sleep! May he know no fear, not even in heaven’s keep. But O Creator, punish with all your might, the one who declared—“Rise early, that is right.”)
This was my mother’s way of blending maternal warmth with poetic wit. Even then, without knowing it, I was being shaped by the soft power of Indian poetry.
India’s poetic journey begins in the realm of the divine. The Vedas, among the world’s oldest poetic compositions, are not merely religious texts, they are verses of cosmic vision and philosophical insight. One of the most defining poetic contributions to Indian civilisation is the Ramayan. Its verses have offered not just narrative but also deep reflections on duty, dharma, sacrifice, and righteousness. Even today, the story of Lord Ram is told and retold through poetic renderings across languages, regions, and generations, uniting Bharat in a shared cultural identity.
Poetry also played a crucial role in devotional movements. Saints like Meerabai, Sant Kabir, and Tulsidas harnessed the power of verse to bring spiritual truths to the common people. They composed in local languages, making spiritual knowledge accessible, and, in doing so, deepened the bond between the individual and the divine. Simultaneously, Tamil Sangam poetry flourished in south India, offering a profound spectrum of human experience.
As India moved into the era of struggle and self-determination, poetry found a new avatar—‘Resistance’. The first war of independence in 1857 was not only a military and political uprising, but also a deeply emotional and poetic awakening in the hearts of millions. Rani Lakshmibai’s valour, as immortalised in Subhadra Kumari Chauhan’s composition, gave voice to a nation’s yearning for freedom and lit a poetic fire that continued to blaze in the hearts of revolutionaries and reformers for generations to come:
(In 1857, that old sword flashed with fire. From the lips of Bundela bards came the tale that would inspire. She fought with unmatched courage, she was the Queen of Jhansi, admired.)
In a few unforgettable lines, she captured both the historical gravity of the moment and the emotional spark it ignited across the nation.
In independent India, poetry has continued to evolve. It now thrives in spoken word forums, school classrooms, national events, and, increasingly, on digital platforms. Young people are rediscovering poetry in new languages and new forms, addressing issues of identity, equality, and nationhood with clarity and creativity. In national celebrations and government initiatives alike, poetry continues to be a source of unity and pride.
As we journey toward Viksit Bharat 2047, it is worth remembering that while policies shape progress, poetry shapes purpose. Today, we are guided not just by policy papers but also by poetic conviction. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi beautifully said:
(With our heads held high in the sky, tearing through the heavy clouds that lie, let us pledge to bring in light: the sun has only just begun to rise.)
Indeed, the sun has just risen, and so has the spirit of a Viksit Bharat.
Bansuri Swaraj is Lok Sabha member from New Delhi.