Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Rabindranath in america - 3rd time (contd-15) -Feb 1921

Rabinfdranath left Chicago on 9th February and started for Texas along with Pearson. Before going to Texas he attended a dinner arranged by the Indian Students at Chicago at  the house of Mrs.Moody. Cooking, distribution etc all activities were done by the students.Pratima Devi cooked Bengali cakes and that was fine. The students made Rasagolla , which was not so good.
The programme in Texas was not published in any paper or circulated by any media. It was totally based on the agreement made for the purpose or collected from  letters written by Pearson.
(Bay of Ardmore) His first lecture was at Ardmore in the state Oklahama at the intiative of P.D.Maxell in First National Bank at 8 pm on the subject "East and West" - he received $200.00 as honorarium on 10th Feb.  He also delivered a lecture here in Presbitarian Church but the audience were all invited guest and he did not receive any money. He became guest in the house of Mr. Maxell of the above bank. Pearson wrote to  Rathindranath, " The host was an ordinary employee of a local bank. While they were departing from him, he got hold of the hands of Rabindranath, kissed and said, " his poetry gave him great solace at the time of his wife's death." The second lecture delivered by Rabindranath was at the auditorium hall of Oklaham University at 8 pm. on 11th Feb at Norman City - the subject was "The Mystics of Bengal"  - as per contract, he would get at least $300.00, 65 % of the collection. But collected amount was only $ 300.00.Pearson got angry and wanted to count the tickets. This untoward incident occurred due to the situation they were facing constantly.                                                                         
(Oklahama state)