The inter-caste marriage of Amitabh Bachchan’s father, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, and Teji Bachchan was addressed by Sarojini Naidu’s consoling words.
‘Bharat Kokila’ Sarojini Naidu comforted his father Harivansh Rai Bachchan when he married Teji, which was frowned upon at the time in Allahabad, according to megastar Amitabh Bachchan. Poet and author of the “Nayi Kavita” literary movement, Harivansh Rai Bachchan. ‘Madhushala’ is the piece for which he is most well-known. In 1941, he married Teji.
Sharing a recent personal anecdote, the actor said: “I’m a bit hesitant to say this but Sarojini Naidu was a great admirer of my father. My father had an intercaste marriage. My mother Teji hailed from a Sikh family. Back then in Allahabad, intercaste marriages and marrying into another religion were looked down upon. My father faced resistance when he brought my mother to Allahabad.”
“Sarojini Naidu was the first person to console him. She introduced him to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who lived in Anand Bhavan in Allahabad. I still remember the way she introduced my father to him. She said, ‘meet the poet and his poetry’,” he added.
Yojana Yadav, a senior news editor from Panchkula, Haryana, took the hot seat in the 14th episode of the quiz-based reality show “Kaun Banega Crorepati,” which is airing in season 15 of the popular television programme.
For the Rs. 3,20,000 question, Yojana was asked: Which poet’s praise of Begum Akhtar motivated her to pursue a profession as a performer? The choices were as follows: A: Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit Mahadevi Verma, B D: Subhadra Kumari Chauhan, and C: Sarojini Naidu.
After utilising the public poll as a last resort, Yojana correctly identified Sarojini Naidu.
The 80-year-old actor said: “When Begum Akhtar presented a programme in 1934 for the earthquake victims of Nepal and Bihar, Sarojini Naidu appreciated her. Later on, she was given the title of ‘Mallika-e-Ghazal’ for her singing.”
One of the best vocalists of Hindustani classical music’s ghazal, dadra, and thumri genres is known as Begum Akhtar.
The actor from “Baghban” continued, saying, “Sarojini Naidu knew multiple languages and was well-educated. She knew Sanskrit and travelled to many countries. She was a poet and a politician too.”
One of Naidu’s best-known poems, “In the Bazaars of Hyderabad,” first appeared in 1912 and is still read today. The “Nightingale of India” was another name for her.
Sony broadcasts “Kaun Banega Crorepati 15.”
