6. Mother Tongue - Poetry - Class 11 - Woven Words

Poet: Padma Sachdev

Textbook: Woven Words

Genre: Poem (Personified, Cultural / Emotional Poetry)

Summary:

Padma Sachdev’s poem Mother Tongue is a passionate and symbolic tribute to her native language, Dogri. The poem is written as a conversation between the poet and a reed, from which she wants a quill (a writing tool). When the reed questions why she needs another quill so soon, the poet explains that she does not write for a merchant (Shah), but for a noble and powerful woman—her mother tongue, Dogri. The language is personified as a "Shahni," a respected mistress with many devoted servants, including the poet and the reed. The reed finally agrees and willingly offers its hand to create a quill, proudly declaring its own servitude to the mother tongue. Through this interaction, the poet reflects her deep emotional bond with her language and its cultural richness. The poem subtly criticizes the neglect of regional languages and emphasizes the urgency of preserving and honoring them. The quill becomes a symbol of expression, identity, and linguistic pride. The tone is respectful, devoted, and tinged with cultural nostalgia.

Character Sketch

The Speaker (Poet):

The speaker is devoted, respectful, and emotionally connected to her language. She is a poet or scribe who sees her writing as service to her mother tongue, Dogri. She is humble yet passionate, portraying both urgency and pride in her cultural identity.

The Reed:

The reed is personified as a slightly reluctant but ultimately proud servant of the mother tongue. At first skeptical, it soon recognizes the poet’s mission and sacrifices itself for a greater cause—supporting Dogri through writing.

Themes

✨ Literary Devices / Poetic Devices

Title Justification:

The title Mother Tongue perfectly captures the essence of the poem, which is a poetic dedication to the poet’s native language, Dogri. The term “mother tongue” itself evokes warmth, identity, belonging, and emotional connection. In the poem, the poet does not refer to Dogri simply as a language but elevates it to the status of a noble mistress (Shahni) whom she loyally serves. Through the metaphor of needing a quill to serve her language, the poet stresses the importance of preserving and honoring one’s mother tongue. Thus, the title is both literal and symbolic, highlighting linguistic devotion and cultural pride.

One-Mark Questions :

1. What does the quill symbolize in the poem?

   The quill represents the tool of writing, self-expression, and cultural preservation. It is symbolic of the poet's devotion to her mother tongue, Dogri.

   
   

2. Why does the poet say she works for a Shahni, not a Shah?

   She uses this metaphor to show that she serves her mother tongue, Dogri, as if it were a noblewoman. This emphasizes her respect and emotional attachment to her language.

   
   

3. Why is the reed initially irritated?

   The reed is annoyed because the poet had recently taken a quill and now demands another. It questions whether she is constantly writing for profit.

   
   

4. What makes the reed change its mind?

   When the reed learns that the poet writes in service of Dogri, the mother tongue, it proudly offers its hand. It realizes that it too serves the same cause.

   
   

5. What emotion dominates the poem?

   The poem is filled with love, devotion, and urgency toward preserving and honoring the poet’s native language. There's a strong sense of pride and purpose.

   
   

Three-Mark Questions

1. How is personification used in the poem?

   Padma Sachdev personifies both the mother tongue and the reed. Dogri is described as a “Shahni,” a noblewoman with many servants, showing its richness and dignity. The reed is portrayed as a speaking being that feels irritation and pride. This use of personification gives emotional life to abstract ideas and inanimate objects. It helps convey the poet’s respect and devotion to her language.

   
   

2. What is the urgency expressed in the poet’s request for a quill?

   The poet feels an immediate need to serve her mother tongue through writing. She fears that Dogri might be waiting for her or looking for her, showing her dedication. This urgency reflects the importance of preserving the language and using poetry as a tool of service. She does not delay or hesitate—she demands the quill as her duty. The tone expresses both love and responsibility.

   
   

3. Why is the mother tongue compared to a Shahni?

   The comparison elevates Dogri to a position of power and honor. A Shahni is a respected, wealthy woman with many servants. By calling Dogri a Shahni, the poet shows how central and powerful the language is in her life. This personification also reveals that many people (like the reed and poet) serve Dogri through various means. It highlights cultural pride and loyalty.

   
   

Value-Based Question

What does the poem teach us about language and cultural identity?

The poem teaches that language is more than a means of communication—it is a source of identity, heritage, and pride. Just like we honor our parents or culture, we must respect our mother tongue. The poet shows that serving one’s language through writing or speech is a noble act. It reminds us that regional languages are precious and should not be neglected or forgotten. Every person has a role to play in preserving their linguistic and cultural roots.

End

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