FilmIndia (Jan-Jul 1943)

"I Rm R Ulorshipper Of Art" Says Sarojini naidu India's nightingale On India's Films She Loves Films Though Mahatma Gandhi — Anybody would have thought it presumptuous to see Mrs. Sarojini Naidu when she was right in the midst of the inaugural meeting of the Tagore Society at Cowasji Jehangir Hall. Even though I knew her quite well, I thought it somewhat awkward to see her there about an interview. Of late she has not been staying in Bombay, but at Hyderabad (Deccan), her home town, and it was always difficult to get her. She was expected to be busy with the A.I.C.C. meeting for two days and she had planned to go back home immediately. As a matter of fact she was arrested the next day after the last meeting of the A.I.C.C. and had I not seen her right there, 'filmindia' readers would never have read the following lines. Mrs. Naidu evidently recognised me as an old friend and colleague on the Bombay Provincial Congress Committee as she looked at my visiting card, which I had passed on to her through her daughter, Padmaja. She beckoned to me and on approaching her presidential seat at the meeting she made fun of me —at least so I thought— for she asked me if I wanted to pay my tribute to Rabindranath Tagore. I told her Tagore was perfectly alright in her hands, whom she had succeeded as President of the Indian P.E.N. "I want only a few minutes with you after this meeting and I see you as representative of the 'Filmindia' I said. "Oh! 'filmindia'! But where is the time?" she grumbled but asked me to wait till the close of the meeting. I knew that Mrs. Naidu had not to undergo any very special exertion to roll off a few sentences. An inimitable artist and devotee of Art in its varied manifestations, Mrs. Naidu was bound to say something fascinating by way of admiration of the filmic art. And so she did. As we drove off to Taj Mahal Hotel foT lunch, the mother and the daughter on either side of me, Mrs. Naidu said "You naughty boy, you should have asked for a more quiet hour to speak about films. Now you will not let me take my lunch quietly and find me talking rather than eating." "I am very sorry, mum, but you don't stay much in Bombay now-a-days, and I had to do the job this way" I submitted. "Alright. What can't be cured must be endured" she said with a mischievous twinkle in her eye and a broad smile. She is such a pastmaster at patting and patronising and making fun of you. "So what Mrs. Sarojini Naidu, poetess and patriot. do you want me to do?" She was getting down to business. I LOVE FILMS "Do you like films? Tell me all you can about them within the time at our disposal." "Do I like them? Of course, I do. I love films. It is my favourite pastime. Any one can recommend me a good film, and I will see it. Any one can offer to take me to a good picture and I shall not refuse to go. I would go with you this evening and Padmaja would join. Won't you Padma? (she nods yes) had it not been for the A.I.C.C. meeting which I must attend. Any new picture in town today?" "Yes, there is a good picture at the Roxy," I said, ' So make up your mind about that or the A.I.C.C." "I have made it up already; I am not going to any picture. Indeed, this moment is typical of my whole life. I had so often to choose between artistic pursuits and higher duties. In cases of conflict, I have always decided in favour of Duty. For me pursuit of duty has not always been pursuit of Art. So it must be tonight — mind you, I am not saying it with regret or remorse. I am pleased that I am able to do this. Yet I tell you quite frankly that I do not love the life of a recluse, a life of hardships, difficulties and poverty. I really hate all that. I love all the good things of life. Good food, good clothes, beautifully built houses, delightful music, but I realize that I must not be a slave of these things. I must not sell my soul to secure them. Nay, I must give them up if they interfere with what I regard as my higher duty. And I have always considered patriotism and its active work, service to my fellowmen as paramount." "Is that why you have given up writing poems nowadays?" 39