The Coromandel Fishers
Rise, brothers, rise; the wakening skies pray to the morning light,
The wind lies asleep in the arms of the dawn like a child that has cried all night.
Come, let us gather our nets from the shore and set our catamarans free,
To capture the leaping wealth of the tide, for we are the kings of the sea!
No longer delay, let us hasten away in the track of the sea gull's call,
The sea is our mother, the cloud is our brother, the waves are our comrades all.
What though we toss at the fall of the sun where the hand of the sea-god drives?
He who holds the storm by the hair, will hide in his breast our lives.
Sweet is the shade of the coconut glade, and the scent of the mango grove,
And sweet are the sands at the full o' the moon with the sound of the voices we love;
But sweeter, O brothers, the kiss of the spray and the dance of the wild foam's glee;
Row, brothers, row to the edge of the verge, where the low sky mates with the sea.
This beautiful and lyrical poem is "Coromandel Fishers" by Sarojini Naidu, often referred to as
the Nightingale of India. She was a prominent Indian poet and freedom fighter.
Sarojini Naidu's poem "The Coromandel Fishers" describes a day in the life of
fishermen, urging them to leave the comfortable shore and venture into the
sea, which they consider their kin. The poem portrays the fishermen's deep
connection to nature, their bravery in facing the ocean's power, and their
preference for the thrill and freedom of the sea over the pleasures of land.
About the poet :
Summary & Themes:
This poem is a call to action — an invocation to the fishermen of the Coromandel Coast to rise
and embrace the sea, which is both their livelihood and spiritual home. The speaker, likely a
fellow fisherman or leader, urges his "brothers" to leave behind the comforts of the land and
pursue the adventurous life at sea, which, though dangerous, is filled with freedom, beauty,
and purpose.
Stanza 1: Call to Action
Stanza 2: The Sea's Power and Their Bravery
Stanza 3: Land vs. Sea
Stanza 4: A Final Call to Adventure
Poem: "Coromandel Fishers" – Line-by-Line Explanation
1. "Rise, brothers, rise; the wakening skies pray to the morning light,"
→ The speaker urges the fishermen (his "brothers") to wake up and begin their day. The sky is
described as "wakening" and welcoming the morning light, symbolizing a new beginning.
2. "The wind lies asleep in the arms of the dawn like a child that has cried all night."
→ The wind is calm in the early morning, compared to a child who has cried through the night
and now sleeps peacefully. This creates a peaceful, tender image of the dawn.
3. "Come, let us gather our nets from the shore and set our catamarans free,"
→ The fishermen are asked to collect their fishing nets and prepare their boats (catamarans) to
go out to sea.
4. "To capture the leaping wealth of the tide, for we are the kings of the sea!"
→ The sea is full of fish (referred to as "leaping wealth"). The fishermen are proud of their
profession, calling themselves "kings of the sea."
5. "No longer delay, let us hasten away in the track of the sea gull's call,"
→ The speaker encourages quick action. The fishermen should follow the seagulls, which often
guide them to fish-rich waters.
6. "The sea is our mother, the cloud is our brother, the waves are our comrades all."
→ The sea and its elements are personified as family and friends. This line reflects the deep bond
between the fishermen and nature.
7. "What though we toss at the fall of the sun where the hand of the sea-god drives?"
→ Even if they face rough seas in the evening, driven by the powerful "sea-god", the fishermen
are fearless.
8. "He who holds the storm by the hair, will hide in his breast our lives."
→ The sea-god (a metaphor for nature or God) controls the storm and will protect the lives of the
fishermen.
9. "Sweet is the shade of the coconut glade, and the scent of the mango grove,"
→ The poet acknowledges the beauty and sweetness of the land — the comfort of coconut trees
and mango groves.
10. "And sweet are the sands at the full o' the moon with the sound of the voices we love;"
→ The beaches and the voices of loved ones at night (under the full moon) are pleasant and
comforting.
11. "But sweeter, O brothers, the kiss of the spray and the dance of the wild foam's glee;"
→ However, the poet says the thrill of sea spray and the joyful waves is even sweeter than land
comforts — celebrating the spirit of adventure.
12. "Row, brothers, row to the edge of the verge, where the low sky mates with the sea."
→ The poem ends with a strong call to action: the fishermen are urged to row toward the
horizon, where the sky and sea meet — a symbol of their boundless journey and unity with
nature.
Overall Message:
The poem blends nature, patriotism, and courage, glorifying the life of fishermen and their
fearless connection with the sea.
