One of the prominent themes in Sarojini Naidu’s poems is the vibrancy of Indian cultural tradition. In her poem ‘The Bangle Sellers’ she has presented that vibrancy through the various colours of bangles that girls and women of different ages like to wear in a typical Indian society. This very purpose has allowed the poet to present some well-crafted colour imageries throughout the poem.

Silver and blue coloured bangles are compared to the mountain mist because it symbolizes purity.

Silver and blue as the mountain mist

The pink and reddish (flushed) bangles are compared to the buds that peep (as if dreaming) from the calm and quiet bank (tranquil brow) of a river that flows through the woods (woodland stream).

Some are flushed like the buds that dream
On the tranquil brow of a woodland stream,

Again, some of the bangles are glowing (aglow) like the green leaves which are shiny with the bloom (a delicate powdery surface deposit) that cleaves (adheres or sticks) to those new born leaves in a bush.

Some are aglow with the bloom that cleaves
To the limpid glory of new born leaves.

The yellow bangles are compared to the field of sunlit corn as they represent the happiness and joy of a prosperous life ahead.

Some are like fields of sunlit corn,

Again, the bride’s red bangles are compared to the flame of her marriage fire, as it represents the passion and desire of a newly made relationship.

Some, like the flame of her marriage fire,
Or, rich with the hue of her heart’s desire,

The poet has compared her bridal laughter and bridal tear with the tinkling, luminous, tender and clear bangles which seem to express her joy and sorrow well.

Tinkling, luminous, tender, and clear,
Like her bridal laughter and bridal tear.

The poet has also presented the purple and gold-flecked grey bangles for the women who have journeyed through life’s midway. Purple and gold-flecked bangles probably represent the maturity and fulfillment of her life.

Some are purple and gold flecked grey

However, these colour imageries have been the main attraction of the poem. Its literary value is perceived mostly through these imageries.