Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Rabindranath O Jagadish Chandra (contd-3)

Rabindranath had a strong passion for science and appreciated scientists. The respect he had for Jagadish Chandra was really remarkable.
After the lavish wedding he threw for Madhurilata, which many of his friend could not attend, he wrote to Jagadish Chandra that he was unlucky that none of his friend was able to attend the ceremony. Jagadish Chandra was in London, Loken was out of station, Maharaja was at Agartala and so on. This was the first marriage ceremony he organised and he regretted the absence of his friends. But his disappointment was compensated by the news of the success of his friend, Jagadish Chandra. On 10 May in London, (the marriage of Madhurilata was held on 15th June 1901), the lecture delivered by Jagadish Chandra on the subject of his research paper The Response of Inorganic Matter to Mechanical and Electrical Stimulus created a great sensation among foreign scientists. The news was published in the magazine Electrician on 17 May which was narrated with documents to Rabindranath in a letter by Jagadish Chandra and his wife Abala Bose. Rabindranath replied in his letter of 4 June with a note in a sanskrit sloka, "Dhanyohang Kritakrityohang" : 'I'm moving in a new world after receiving your letter since morning. The marriage ceremony of Bela (Madhurilata) will take place within 10/11 days. The news of your success will make the joy of the ceremony double. You have kindled the ceremony by  unseen rays of your glory.'
Jagadish Chandra not only sent his good news but also sent a book, the biography of Joan of Arc,  as a present for the new couple and requested Rabindranath to convey his blessings to them. In his reply (3 July) Rabindranath said that he would hand over the book and convey the blessings and that she (Bela) would be glad to receive the book and would read it carefully. In the letter Rabindranath expressed his grief of the attitude of Loken, who did not write a single word to him or to Bela, but remained absorbed in merrymaking in London.
The king of Tripura, Radhakishore, also wrote a letter on 11 June, conveying his blessing to the newly married couple and expressed his sorrow at his inability of attending the ceremony as he was in Darjeeling for medical treatment of the queen of  Tripura.