{"id":866732,"date":"2025-08-18T13:21:28","date_gmt":"2025-08-18T07:51:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leverageedu.com\/discover\/?p=866732"},"modified":"2025-08-18T13:21:28","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T07:51:28","slug":"ncert-notes-class-11-english-woven-words-poem-6-mother-tongue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leverageedu.com\/discover\/school-education\/ncert-notes-class-11-english-woven-words-poem-6-mother-tongue\/","title":{"rendered":"NCERT Notes Class 11 English Woven Words Poem 6: Mother Tongue (Free PDF)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The poem Mother Tongue by Padma Sachdev is the sixth poem in the Poetry section of the NCERT Class 11 English Woven Words textbook. This poem celebrates the poet\u2019s deep connection to her native language, Dogri. Through a dialogue, the poet explores themes of linguistic pride, cultural identity, and devotion to one\u2019s mother tongue. This blog provides easy-to-understand NCERT Class 11 English notes with explanations, meanings, and analysis to help students understand the poem\u2019s themes of language and heritage. You can also download the free PDF for quick revision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Explore Notes of Class 11 English Woven Words<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Poem 1<\/strong><\/a><\/td>Poem 2<\/strong><\/a><\/td>Poem 3<\/strong><\/a><\/td>Poem 4<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Download PDF of NCERT Notes Class 11 English Woven Words Poem 6: Mother Tongue<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Important Word Meanings in Mother Tongue by Padma Sachdev<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the poem Mother Tongue by Padma Sachdev, specific words and phrases are used to convey the poet\u2019s reverence for her native language, Dogri, and its cultural significance. Understanding these terms clarifies the poem\u2019s tone and message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Word \/ Phrase<\/strong><\/td>Meaning<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Stem<\/td>The main stalk of a plant, here referring to the reed<\/td><\/tr>
Swinging on a reed<\/td>The reed\u2019s gentle movement, suggesting its lively, natural state<\/td><\/tr>
Quill<\/td>A writing tool made from a feather or, here, a reed\u2019s stem, symbolising the act of writing in the mother tongue<\/td><\/tr>
Irritated<\/td>Annoyed or exasperated, reflecting the reed\u2019s reaction to the poet\u2019s request<\/td><\/tr>
Shah<\/td>A king or wealthy employer used the reed to question the poet\u2019s profession<\/td><\/tr>
Shahni<\/td>A queen or noblewoman, symbolising the mother tongue, Dogri, as a powerful and revered entity<\/td><\/tr>
Very well off<\/td>Wealthy or prosperous, emphasising the richness of the mother tongue<\/td><\/tr>
Servants<\/td>Individuals devoted to serving, here referring to those who cherish and use Dogri<\/td><\/tr>
Ever ready to do her bidding<\/td>Always prepared to serve or follow the mother tongue\u2019s call<\/td><\/tr>
Mother tongue<\/td>The native language, Dogri, personified as a commanding yet benevolent figure<\/td><\/tr>
Dogri<\/td>The poet\u2019s native language, a regional language of Jammu, is central to her identity<\/td><\/tr>
Cut off its hand<\/td>The reed\u2019s act of giving a part of itself symbolises sacrifice for the mother tongue<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Line-by-Line Explanation of the NCERT Class 11 English Poem 6: Mother Tongue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here is the line-by-line analysis of each stanza of the poem \u2018Mother Tongue\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lines 1\u20134:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I approached a stem<\/strong>
<\/strong>Swinging on a reed<\/strong>
<\/strong>And asked him<\/strong>
<\/strong>To give me a quill.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The poem begins with the speaker approaching a reed, personified as a living entity, and requesting a quill (a writing tool made from its stem). This sets a conversational tone, with the reed symbolising nature\u2019s role in enabling the poet to express her devotion to her mother tongue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lines 5\u20139:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Irritated, he said<\/strong>
<\/strong>I gave you one only the other day<\/strong>
<\/strong>A new one, what have you done with it?<\/strong>
<\/strong>Are you some sort of an accountant<\/strong>
<\/strong>Working for a Shah<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reed responds with irritation, questioning why the speaker needs another quill so soon, implying she might have misused or lost the previous one. The reed humorously asks if she works for a \u201cShah\u201d (king) as an accountant, a job requiring frequent writing, highlighting the speaker\u2019s persistent need to write.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lines 10\u201312:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Writing account books<\/strong>
<\/strong>Where you need a new pen<\/strong>
<\/strong>Every other day he asked.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reed continues its playful accusation, suggesting that only an accountant for a wealthy employer would need a new quill so often, emphasising the speaker\u2019s dedication to writing and her urgency to acquire a new tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lines 13\u201317:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

No, I don\u2019t work for a Shah<\/strong>
<\/strong>I said, but for a Shahni, very kind,<\/strong>
<\/strong>Very well off<\/strong>
<\/strong>And I am not the only one<\/strong>
<\/strong>Working for her<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The speaker clarifies that she doesn\u2019t serve a Shah but a \u201cShahni\u201d (queen), described as kind and prosperous. This Shahni is her mother tongue, Dogri, personified as a revered figure. The speaker notes that she is not alone, as many others also serve this language, highlighting its communal importance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lines 18\u201321:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

She has many servants<\/strong>
<\/strong>Ever ready to do her bidding<\/strong>
<\/strong>That Shahni is my mother tongue<\/strong>
<\/strong>Dogri<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The speaker elaborates that Dogri, her mother tongue, commands many devoted \u201cservants\u201d who are always ready to honour and promote it. Naming Dogri explicitly ties the poem to the poet\u2019s cultural and linguistic identity, emphasising its significance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lines 22\u201324:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give me, a quill, quickly<\/strong>
<\/strong>She must be looking for me<\/strong>
<\/strong>The reed cut off its hand<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The speaker urgently requests the quill, driven by her duty to her mother tongue, suggesting that Dogri awaits her creative contribution. The reed, acknowledging its own devotion, sacrifices its \u201chand\u201d (stem) to provide the quill, symbolising its willingness to serve the same cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lines 25\u201326:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gave it to me and said<\/strong>
<\/strong>Take it, I too am her servant.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reed hands over the quill, declaring itself a servant of Dogri as well, uniting with the speaker in their shared devotion to the mother tongue, reinforcing the theme of collective reverence for language and culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also Read: <\/strong>NCERT Notes Class 11 English Woven Words Chapter 7: Glory at Twilight (Free PDF)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Analysis of the NCERT Class 11 English Poem 6: Mother Tongue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The poem Mother Tongue by Padma Sachdev celebrates the poet\u2019s deep connection to her native language, Dogri, personified as a benevolent and commanding \u201cShahni\u201d (queen). Through a playful dialogue between the speaker and a personified reed, the poem explores themes of linguistic pride, cultural identity, and the collective devotion to preserving one\u2019s mother tongue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Theme \u2013 Linguistic Pride and Cultural Identity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The central theme is the celebration of the mother tongue, Dogri, as a symbol of cultural heritage and identity. The poet portrays Dogri as a powerful, kind, and prosperous entity, commanding loyalty from its \u201cservants\u201d who are dedicated to its preservation and expression, emphasising the importance of native languages in shaping personal and communal identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symbolism and Meaning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Here we have mentioned the symbolism used in this poem, along with the meaning behind that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n