Khurshedben Naoroji, often referred to as the nightingale of India, was an accomplished soprano and a dedicated activist in the Indian Independence Movement.
Born in 1894 in Bombay (now Mumbai), Khurshedben Naoroji was the granddaughter of Dadabhai Naoroji, India’s first nationalist leader and the first Indian to serve in the British Parliament. Her life was a harmonious blend of art and activism, leaving an indelible mark on both the cultural and political landscapes of her time.
Early Life and Musical Pursuits of Khurshedben Naoroji
Khurshedben Naoroji’s early life was steeped in the rich cultural milieu of Bombay. She quickly rose to prominence as a classical soprano, earning the affectionate nickname “bul” or nightingale from her family and friends.
Her passion for music took her to Paris in the early 1920s, where she sought to hone her craft. However, the cultural dissonance she experienced in Europe left her feeling adrift until she met Eva Palmer Sikelianos, an expatriate woman deeply entrenched in the revival of classical Greek culture.
Their friendship blossomed over shared conversations about Greek and Indian musical traditions, leading to the establishment of a school of non-Western music in Athens.
Khurshedben Naoroji thrived in Greece, embracing her Indian heritage by donning saris and holding impromptu Indian music concerts. Despite her success in Europe, her heart remained with India and the burgeoning independence movement led by Mahatma Gandhi.
Transition to Activism
Khurshedben’s return to India marked a significant shift in her life. She joined Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat, where she became a vocal advocate for women’s involvement in nationalist activities.
She believed in the transformative power of Gandhian activism, which she described as “the great awakening of women.” Under her influence, many women began to participate actively in the freedom struggle, determined not to halt the momentum they had gained.
Her work took her to the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan. This region was fraught with political tension and communal strife, yet Khurshedben’s resolve was unwavering.
Khurshedben Naoroji forged a close friendship with Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, the “Frontier Gandhi,” who led a nonviolent pro-nationalist movement among the Pashtuns. Despite multiple imprisonments by the British, Khurshedben remained undeterred, even writing to Gandhi from a Peshawar prison about how “the fleas and I kept each other warm.”
Promoting Unity and Nonviolence
Gandhi tasked Khurshedben Naoroji with fostering Hindu-Muslim unity and rallying support for the Indian National Congress. The NWFP’s volatile environment, plagued by banditry and communal tensions, posed significant challenges.
Nevertheless, Khurshedben Naoroji embarked on extensive tours on foot, engaging with locals and counseling women about the perils of banditry. Her efforts yielded remarkable results, reducing kidnappings and improving communal harmony. Even British authorities, who had once imprisoned her, began to recognize her impact.
The Daring Endeavor and Imprisonment
In a daring attempt to rescue a group of kidnapped Hindus held in Waziristan, Khurshedben risked her life, aware of the dangers that lay ahead. Despite her bravery, British authorities arrested her before she could reach the kidnappers. She endured a series of imprisonments, cycling through various jails until her release in 1944.
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