Thursday, January 31, 2013

Rabindranath in Sweeden and ,met Rolland

From Rome  Rabindranath went to Florence and  to Turin.. Then he went to Sweeden and from that place he went to Villeneuve where Romain Rolland was living lonely. Though Villeneuve was a small village but the place was very beutiful, an ideal place of all philosophers.The poet with his party took their seat in a hotel. Once Victor Rugo (Victor Marie Hugo (French pronunciation: ​[viktɔʁ maʁi yɡo]; 26 February 1802 – 22 May 1885) was a French poet, novelist, and dramatist. He is considered one of the most well-known French Romantic writers. In France, Hugo's literary fame comes first from his poetry but also rests upon his novels and his dramatic achievements.)  had been there in that room.  
Romain Rolland (29 January 1866 – 30 December 1944) was a French dramatist, novelist, essayist, art historian and mystic who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1915 "as a tribute to the lofty idealism of his literary production and to the sympathy and love of truth with which he has described different types of human beings
His first book was published in 1902, when he was 36 years old. Through his advocacy for a 'people's theatre', he made a significant contribution towards the democratization of the theatre. As a humanist, he embraced the work of the philosophers of India ("Conversations with Rabindranath Tagore" and Mohandas Gandhi). Rolland was strongly influenced by the Vedanta philosophy of India, primarily through the works of Swami Vivekananda
He moved to Villeneuve, on the shores of Lac Léman (Lake Geneva) to devote himself to writing.
Romain Rolland was living a little far off from the hotel but the place became more attractive . Rabindranath stayed here for another 12 days.Rolland explained the true picture of the fascists. Rabindranath became free from the illusion and renewed his statements about the fascist government. Thus he saved his good will.
Rabindranath wrote a letter to Andrews informing him his recent ideas about Italy and Mussolini. The letter was published in the Manchester Garden of London. On the other hand, Mussolini and his sattilite persons became annoyed with Rabindranath and gave an order of discontinuing Shantiniketan.  

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Rabindranath in Italy - 1926

Prof Carlo Formichi after coming back to Italy sent an invitation letter to Rabindranath Tagore. But Mussolini took the charge  of his reception. Official invitation came under the cover of governmental approach. The poet consoled him by thinking that the invitation was offered by Prof. Formichi and overlooked the shadow behind this invitation. Ultimately he decided to go to Italy at the inspiration  of his associates and at the call of his world tour. At the news of his going to Italy many became astonished and the left-oriented media began to  circulate  the information adversely. Rabindranath started from Calcutta on 12 May and from Bombay to Italy on 15th May, 1926.
The ship by which Rabindranath was to go to Italy had six cabins reserved for him. The persons who accompanied him included Rathindranath with his familyand Gourgopal Ghosh. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanabis went with his wife in the next steamer and met Rabindranath in Rome. This time in the tour to Europe Prasanta Chandra Mahalanabis and his wife , Nirmalkumari accompanied him. They were his day to day accompaniment. The poet was taken by a special train from Naples to Rome. He was kept in a hotel, best in Rome on 30th May, and Prof Formichi acted as his local guide and interpreter. His duty was not to allow any person, anty-Mussolini,  to meet him and to say about the glory of Mussolini.
The reporters of different media  surrounded him like bees round the honey comb to listen his melodious voice. I could not believe that I had at last come to the country where the great men like  Shelly, Keats , Byron Gette. Browning were born.  .
The poet was greeted in Rome in several ways. While he was delivering a lecture in Rome, Mussolini and his party were present there. The poet was honoured in a colossium hall  with a gathering of 25,000/30,000.
He stayed in Rome  for 14 days At his special request Prof. Benedetto Croce was allowed to meet Rabindranath.  
Croce initially supported Mussolini's Fascist government that took power in 1922. The assassination by Fascists of Giacomo Matteotti in June 1924 shook Croce's support for Mussolini. In May 1925 Croce was one of the signatories the Manifesto of the Anti-Fascist Intellectuals which had been written by Croce himself; however in June of the same year he voted in the Senate in support of the Mussolini government. He later explained that he had hoped that the support for Mussolini in parliament would weaken the more extreme Fascists who he believed were responsible for Matteotti's murder.

Croce was seriously threatened by Mussolini's regime, though the only act of physical violence he suffered at the hands of the fascists was the ransacking of his home and library in Naples in November 1926. Although he managed to stay outside prison thanks to his reputation, he remained under surveillance, and his academic work was kept in obscurity by the government, to the extent that no mainstream newspaper or academic publication ever referred to him. Croce later coined the term onagrocrazia (literally "government by asses") to emphasize the anti-intellectual and boorish tendencies of parts of the Fascist regime. However Croce's description of Fascism as anti-intellectual ignored the fact that many Italian intellectuals at the time actively supported Mussolini's regime, including Croce's former friend and colleague Gentile. Croce also described Fascism as malattia morale (literally "moral illness"). When Mussolini's government adopted antisemitic policies in 1938, Croce was the only non-Jewish intellectual who refused to complete a government questionnaire designed to collect information on the racial background of Italian intellectuals.The poet knew , "    His most interesting philosophical ideas are divided into three works: Aesthetic (1902), Logic (1908), and Philosophy of the practical(1908), but his complete work is spread over 80 books and 40 years worth of publications in his own bimonthly literary magazine, La Critica."

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Rabindranath and Mussolini


Rabindranath Tagore, the ardent defender of public liberty once made a grievous mistake of accepting the invitation of the fascist dictator Mussolini. This incident gave rise to an international backlash which caused repercussions, especially amongst the left-wing press in Europe. In the end, Tagore had to diffuse the situation by writing a long letter to Charles Andrews explaining in detail the background of his invitation. The letter was published in The Manchester Guardian on 5 August 1926. A re-edited version of the letter, in translation, was subsequently published in several papers in the European Press. However, it took some time to clear the misunderstandings surrounding Tagore’s visit to Mussolini’s Italy. This piece briefly describes the story of an imperfect encounter between two personalities whose ideologies and beliefs were worlds apart.
Tagore visited Italy twice in his life time, once in 1925 and again a year later in 1926, though he passed through the country several times before and during his visits to England.
It was on his second visit to Italy, that he met Mussolini twice.
Political backdrop of Italy in the 1920s
Before October 1922, the year when Mussolini came into power, there was political turmoil in Italy and Luigi Facta, the Prime Minister, failed to deal with Mussolini’s insurgency. The economy was unstable and there was an alarming growth of public disorder especially with the rise of crime and murder. The parliamentary system failed to tackle the crisis. Although the Socialists were one of the most dominating political forces in the country, the intelligentsia failed to accept them as a ruling party. With such chaos in place, Mussolini was able to come into power. After his famous march in Rome in October 1922, King Vittorio Emmanule, with no other alternatives, asked Mussolini and his National Fascist Party to form the Government.
Mussolini quickly took charge of the situation, using his private army the Blackshirts, who ruthlessly controlled all who opposed Mussolini. Freedom of press was subsequently abolished and overnight all papers were forced to convert into fascist press.
In 1924, Mussolini and his militia used violence, propaganda, and vote-rigging to win his first election with an absolute majority. Some of the socialist leaders such as Amendola and Matteotti challenged the election. As a result, they were eventually assassinated by the Blackshirts. A mass persecution took place and many intellectuals namely Profs Salvadori and Salvemini; conductor Toscanini; Angelica Balabanoff, an expert of European socialism; and many others fled from the country and took refuge elsewhere in Europe.
The appalling treatment of these socialists, especially the assassination of Matteotti and Amendola had a detrimental effect on Mussolini’s image in the rest of the world. Adverse criticism found its way in some socialists papers published in France. One thing Mussolini knew from the very beginning was that to enhance his prestige at home his international image must be upheld and without a strong foreign policy and the right kind of propaganda that image could not be achieved. He often invited the foreign press, dignitaries and cultural delegations to publicise and demonstrate the positive successes of his regime and divert the international attention away from the Matteotti incident.
Against this political backdrop Tagore came to Italy in 1925 to begin his first tour on his voyage back from Argentina.
First Italian tour, 1925
Tagore’s official invitation for his first visit came from the non-governmental academic body, The Philological Society of Milan. In addition, he was supposed to visit Florence and Turin as the original tour was scheduled for 25 days. But he had to cut short his tour as he became ill. The Italian medical team did not take any chances advising Tagore to return to India. His proposed tour in Florence and Turin were cancelled. Eventually he went to Brindisi, via a short detour in Venice, to embark on the liner heading back to India.
Tagore’s ill health caused some embarrassment for his tour organisers. Tagore himself also felt embarrassed as he was overwhelmed by the warm reception given to him by the people of Milan and Venice. Keen to return and visit more of Italy, he expressed his intention of coming back when his health would allow him to travel. He conveyed this message in a poem which was translated into Italian and published in the Italian press before he left.
In Milan Tagore met Prof. Formichi, a distinguished Sanskrit scholar and an Indologist of Rome University. Formichi was also the lead person that organised the Poet’s tour with The Philological Society and later on, was the interpreter throughout Tagore’s visit. Before leaving Milan, Tagore invited Formichi to join Visvabharati as a visiting professor at his university’s expense and requested that he find enough funds to set up an exchange programme for an Italian scholar that, in addition, would bring Italian books on literature and art. Prof. Formichi accepted the invitation.
Tagore did not tour Rome so was unable to meet Mussolini in 1925, although Mussolini himself was aware of Tagore’s presence in Milan.
Second Italian tour, 1926
Prof. Formichi received the official appointment letter from Visvabharati in July 1925. He was both delighted and apprehensive as he was unable to source funding for an Italian scholar for the proposed exchange programme. Furthermore, he was unable to purchase the Italian books he promised Tagore. The situation was a little embarrassing for Formichi as he was aware that other European visiting professors who preceded him donated substantial amounts of resources to Tagore’s University. Being desperate for funds and finding no other alternatives he ultimately wrote a letter directly to Mussolini explaining everything and requesting support.
Until that point, Mussolini had no issues or policies towards India. His only reference to India was found in an article published in Il Popolo d’Italia where he predicted the Mophla rebellion would be the end of British rule in India. In fact, during the mid-twenties, the situation in India became favourable with fascist propagandists; for a few years the above article by Mussolini was the only commentary on India available in Italy.
However, when Formichi’s letter arrived at his desk for his personal attention, immediately a sinister plan was triggered in his mind. He became seriously interested in Tagore. Perhaps he assumed that any positive remarks and praise by Tagore, a symbol of peace and human liberty with towering international fame and respect (at least during that period), for his fascist regime would be highly valued by the outside world.
Suddenly Tagore became a big catch to Mussolini, and there were other advantages. Tagore did not know the language and was not much aware of Italian politics. So when Formichi’s application came to his desk for his personal attention, Mussolini generously approved the application. Mussolini was confident his approval would act as bait and Tagore was bound to be hooked.
Prof. Formichi’s worries were over. He joined Visvabharati in November 1925 and brought with him the entire library of Italian classics, and the service of Prof. Tucci, another distinguished scholar of Indology for a year all paid for by the Italian government.
Tagore was overwhelmed at Mussolini’s gesture and immediately cabled Mussolini expressing his gratitude. He wrote:
“…I assure you that such expression of sympathy, coming as it does from the representative of the Italian people, will open a channel of communication of cultural relations between your country and ours, which has every possibility to produce and event of great historical relevance.
Tagore wanted to show his gratitude personally by going to Rome and asking Prof. Formichi to arrange his trip. A second visit was due in any case as Tagore wanted to keep the promise he made on his first visit. Prof. Formichi informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the poet’s intention of visiting Italy again. Now, Mussolini’s plan was off the ground. The Government extended their hospitality directly.
Tagore arrived in Rome on 30 May 1926. The following day, accompanying Prof. Formichi, he went to meet Mussolini at his office in Palazzo Chigi. For the very first time the Poet and the Dictator came face to face.
In his opening conversation Mussolini said, “I am one of those many Italians that have read all your books; of course those that have been translated in our language.”
Tagore was visibly moved by this statement. He thanked Mussolini for the generous gift and for the services of Prof. Tucci at Visvabharati. Mussolini then enquired how long the poet intended to stay in Rome.
Learning it was the Poet’s intention to visit Florence the following week, Mussolini insisted him to stay at least a fortnight in Rome, to take complete rest and to enjoy some sight-seeing. Tagore expressed his gratitude further and during their extended dialogue mentioned that he had not yet decided the subject of his public lecture. Mussolini immediately insisted: “speak on art, speak on art.”
In this context, Mussolini’s biographer wrote, “He liked to stress the great importance of art and he himself, inevitably, was claimed to be a seminal influence upon contemporary artists; but in private he was ready to confess that he did not understand pictures and inwardly he resented that Italy had been held back from political greatness by the illusory and corrupting pursuit of aesthetic values.
The conversation was extremely cordial and lasted for half an hour. Prof. Formichi was translating Mussolini’s words into English but not Tagore’s words into Italian as Mussolini could understand English when spoken slowly.
At the end the Prime Minister said, “Just let me know what you would like to do best and I shall be more than happy to arrange it for you.”
On his way back to the hotel when Formichi asked Tagore about his first impressions of Mussolini, Tagore replied, “Without any doubt he is a great personality. There is such a massive vigour in that head that it reminds one of Michael Angelo’s chisel. Moreover, there is a simplicity in the man which makes it hard to believe that he is really the cruel tyrant many indulge in depicting. Parts of this statement was reported in the press.
Again Mussolini’s biographer wrote : “…His personal magnetism worked best with those who saw him rarely; nevertheless he could always impress a visitor when he tried and all the fascist leaders remembered how they had at times fallen under a real spell… and Tagore was no exception.
The above is only a small summary of the first meeting between the two, which was also highlighted in some of the Italian Press. When a reporter of a well circulated fascist paper asked the poet to write a few words about the new Italy, he wrote, “Let me dream that from the fire-bath the immortal soul of Italy will come out clothed in quenchless light.” This statement was also quoted in several of the daily papers.
During the next two weeks (1-13 June 1926) Tagore visited most of Rome’s landmarks, met with the King, had lunch with the British Ambassador, was received by the Governor of Rome at the Coliseum, and gave several interviews to newspaper reporters though some of his quotes were wrongly interpreted in the press and as Tagore did not know the language, he found no discrepancies in what was written. He was heartily received at the University of Rome, gave several lectures of which the most important one was that presented at the Union of Intellectuals The Meaning of Art, attended by Mussolini himself.
In the afternoon of his meeting with the British Ambassador Tagore told Formichi, “As long as Mussolini lives, Italy can be said to be safe. Now I know what I shall answer when, after crossing the Italian border, I hear people speak ill of your country. It was an irony that Tagore had to speak ill of Italy after crossing the border!
Tagore met Mussolini for the second (and last) time before his departure from Rome on 13 June. This time the meeting was longer and heartier. As usual, Tagore mentioned his ideas of an East-West fellowship. He said, “Italy possesses a great personality, and therefore she as a nation most suited to promote a rapprochement between both the Asian and the European civilisations.” Mussolini agreed. Tagore also added, “Your Excellency, you are the most slandered man in the world.” Mussolini, with an innocent face replied, “I know, but what can I do?”
Then the Poet expressed his intention to meet the great Italian philosopher Benedetto Croce. Before Mussolini could respond, Prof. Formichi objected in a louder tone “Impossible! Impossible!” Mussolini, cunning as ever, immediately stopped him and asked to arrange the meeting. Next, Mussolini showed Tagore the blueprint of his plan to build an International City in Rome. Tagore was again highly impressed and finally he requested of the Duce a signed photograph.
The meeting was over, though at present there is still no record that this meeting was mentioned in the Italian press at that time.
The next day Tagore left Rome for Florence followed by his visit to Turin. On 22 June before leaving the border of Italy the poet sent a cable to Mussolini, “I take leave with hearty thanks to Your Excellency, and to the Italian people represented by Your Excellency, for your generous hospitality and kind sentiments towards me.”
With that note, Tagore and his party left Italy by train for Switzerland never to return Italy again!
Post Italian Tour
In Switzerland Tagore spent a few days in the company of Romain Rolland at Villeneuve. There he had a long conversation with Rolland, who was very critical of the fascist regime in Italy. Rolland tried to give Tagore a more truthful picture of the growing repression, violence and atrocities that took place in the fascist state and eventually condemned his tour.
There was no doubt that Tagore himself felt a kind of uneasiness, especially during those latter stages of his Italian tour. But he was so thrilled by his reception and intrigued by Mussolini, that he was unwilling to believe he had made any mistake in coming to Italy. Rolland also made Tagore aware of some of the oblique comments in the European press on his Italian visit. He tried to bring Tagore out of his ambivalence, stressing the fact that freedom of expression had been stopped in Italy.
Listening to Rolland, Tagore found himself with a great dilemma and eventually he agreed (though under pressure) to publish a write-up in the form of an interview, deploring some of the facts he did not like in the tour. Rolland brought his friend Duhamel from Paris, with a view to publicising the interview in the French press.
But that arrangement also went wrong. In his article Tagore could not dismiss from his mind the magnificent reception he received from his Italian host. A frustrated Rolland and Duhamel finally requested that Tagore not say or write anything before he heard the truth from those now living in exile.
A meeting was arranged with Tagore and Prof. Salvadori in Zurich and Modigliani in Vienna. In Zurich, Prof. Salvadori could not meet the Poet because of his illness but his wife took his place.
In her opening conversation, Signora Salvadori asked, “You, who are so good, why did you come to Italy, now the land of violence and persecution?”
Tagore explained the background of his tour. At one stage he said, “I had no opportunities to study the genesis or the activities of the fascist movement and I did not express any opinion about it. In fact in most of my interviews I was careful to explain that I was not competent to say anything either for or against fascism, not having studied it…About Mussolini himself I must, however, say that he did interest me as an artist…Mussolini struck me as a masterful personality… The people with whom I came into contact in Italy were almost unanimous in assuring me that Mussolini had saved Italy from anarchy and utter ruin. ”
Signora Salvadori emphasised that, “… It is not true. This is the opinion of people who are in favour of Fascism … People who hold contrary views were not allowed to see you … It is not true that Mussolini had saved Italy from financial ruin. The financial position of Italy was better before Mussolini came into power. Look at the Lira, it was 70 to the pound, and it is now 130 … Foreigners do not know, and merely repeat conventional tales. But what makes us unhappy is that you have unintentionally helped to support Fascism. We know it is unintentional, for you are too good to do so.
Signora Salvadori related to the poet only those facts which she had personally witnessed. The whole conversation lasted for an hour and was later published in The Manchester Guardian in October 1926. Indeed, he heard similar stories when he met with Mr Modigliani, the attorney of the Matteoti Trial, and Angelia Balabanoff in Vienna.
Tagore was clearly perturbed by what he had heard and developed the same mental agitation and distress as he had during the Amritsar massacre which took place in India seven years beforehand.
From Vienna he wrote a letter to his friend Charles Andrews in India, explaining in details the background of his Italian tour, how he was trapped by the interviewers, that he never praised fascism at any stage of his tour but admitted he praised Mussolini as an artist. The letter was elaborate but courteous, eventually published in The Manchester Guardian on 5 August 1926.
Prof. Formichi was taken aback to see the Poet’s sudden change of attitude towards Italy: he also sent a counter article in the same paper three weeks later stating his side of the story.
Rolland did not like the softer tone of Tagore’s letter. However, he selected the salient points from that letter, re-edited and translated it and distributed it amongst the European press, thus drawing a close to Tagore’s relationship with Mussolini’s Italy.
It was true that Tagore was affected by the strange and captivating illusion of Mussolini, but that illusion lasted until Mussolini invaded Abyssinia and other Mediterranean states. Tagore never once praised fascism at any point during his Italian tour. As Mussolini and fascism are more or less used synonymously, he was often misquoted in the Italian media.
The Italian people had a glimmer of Tagore’s letter to Andrews and his interview two weeks after. The Bologna paper Assalto reported (28 August):
“That Tagore, who came to Italy twice and inflicted us on his very heavy poetic lucubration, is an old actor who is worthy of our highest contempt…This guru is kept by various governments. He is paid so much at each lecture… this viscid, insinuating individual, who is as honeyed as his words and poems, came to Italy as he was invited, paid and helped by the government. He exalted Italy, glorified fascism, and sang the praises of Mussolini… As soon as he crossed the border, this old man with an unsound soul, who impressed the public with his long black tunic and his white beard, talked behind the back of Italy, Fascism and its great leader, who is endlessly greater than him… He approximately behaved like prostitutes who always swear they are in love with their latest customer. Today we claim we do not like Tagore as a poet anymore because he is emasculated and without backbone. He disgusts us as a man because he is false, dishonest and shameless.
And with this, Mussolini’s plan to involve Tagore in his political propaganda came to a crashing end.
Postscript
In 1930 when Tagore came to New York after visiting Russia, he met Prof. Formichi again. Formichi was then the visiting professor of the Italian Chair at Barclay. During the course of the conversation, Tagore expressed his intention to resolve any misunderstandings he had with Mussolini. Formichi suggested the Poet write a letter to Mussolini directly explaining his account. The Poet made a draft and instead of sending it to Mussolini directly, sent it to his son in Santiniketan for his approval. He wrote (21 November 1930):
Your Excellency
It often comes to my memory how we were startled by the magnanimous token of your sympathy reaching us through my very dear friend Prof. Formichi. The precious gift, the library of Italian literature, is a treasure to us highly prized by our institution and for which we are deeply grateful to Your Excellency.
I am also personally indebted to you for the lavish generosity you showed to me in your hospitality when I was your guest in Italy and I earnestly hope that the misunderstanding which was unfortunately caused a barrier between me and the great people you represent, the people for whom I have genuine love, will not remain permanent, and that this expression of my gratitude to you and your nation will be accepted. The politics of a country is its own; its culture belongs to all humanity. My mission is to acknowledge all that has eternal value in the self-expression of any country.
Your Excellency has nobly offered to our institution on behalf of Italy the opportunity of a festival of spirit which will remain inexhaustible and ever claim our homage of a cordial admiration.
I am, Your Excellency,
Gratefully Yours
Rabindranath Tagore.
Whether that letter was ever sent to Mussolini is still unknown. However, according to Mario Prayer, the letter was sent but it was not clear if it ever reached the hand of the Duce.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Rabindranath and Guiseppe Tucci & Dr.Carlo Formichi


The expeditions carried out by GiuseppeTucci (1894-1984) stand out in the history of the exploration of the Himalayas andTibet for their original character. Unlike otherWesterners, who travelled through the area as missionaries, geographers, politicalofficers or soldiers, he had been the very first scholar to organize his field work for over twenty years with the specific goal tostudy and to systematically document also with photographs as many aspects as possible of theTibetan civilisation.This achieve-ment went beyond the limits of the traditional academic scholarship of his main field of interest: the Buddhist religion and itshistory. It was made possible by his extraordinary linguistic skill and deep knowledge of the relevant literature as well as by hiscapacity to organize his work within the Italian Institutions and raise funds from private and public sponsors.This history begins in late 1925, when Tucci arrived in Shantiniketan together with Carlo Formichi, professor of Sanskritat the University of Rome.The two scholars had been sent to teach atVishva Bharati after the agreement between RabindranathTagore and the Italian government signed a few months before.At that timeTucci still waved between different interests, thoughhis publications had so far focused mainly on philosophy and religions. From his correspondence we glean, for instance, that hewas equally attracted by Dravidian linguistics.
The Sanskrit Prof. of Rome University Dr. Carlo Formichi has arrived at Shantiniketan on 21 Nov 1925, Rabindranath  Tagore and Bihushekhar Shastri welcomed Dr. Formichi in a gathering at Ashram. Dr. Formichi, in reply, said that he had come to Shantiniketan as a representative of Italy, Dr. Formichi carried with him  a letter by Senior Mussolini (translated)
Dear Dr. Formichi,
I am very happy to know that Viswa Bharati has invited you. Viswa Bharati respects the intellect of Italy and is respectful to Italian scholars, sciences and Rome University. I am entrusting you to deliver a few books as special gifts from me to Viswabharati - the ideal institute of learning in India. I wish these gifts will help to forge a link between the ancient literary thinking of two countries.
sd/- Mussolini  
The response of Rabindranath by a written letter to Mussolini
(translated)
" we are grateful for your expression of respect for Indian civilisation through Dr. Carlo Formichi. You have also sent Prof. Tucci to work along with us on oriental studies and to familiarise our students on Indian history & civilizastion. You have also sent valuable books for our studies . We are thankful for your kind gestures. I am confident that by your sympathetic attitude towards Indian culture as a representative of Italy, the co-operation between our two civilizations will be strengthened and pave way for further meaningful exchanges. Moreover your gesture holds the possibility of turning out to be a memorable day in Indian histry,
sd/- Rabindranath Tagore"
 ( obtained from- http://pathabhavanpraktoni.net/main??p=3243)
  

Friday, January 25, 2013

Rabindranath and Nagendranath (contd-2)

(Rabindranath’s fourth child Mira Debi, who was his third and youngest daughter, was born on 12 January 1894. She was also called Atasi. Mira Debi was married on 6 June 1907 at the age of 13 years 4 months to Nagendranath Gangopadhyay. They separated in the 1920s. Mira Debi died at Santiniketan in the year 1969 at the age of about 75.

Mira Debi and Nagendranath had two children – a son named Nitindranath (Nitu) and a daughter named Nandita (Buri).)
Rabindranath supported Nagendranath when he lost his quarter but he sent his Nitu to his brother Dhirendranath only to deprive Mira as a sign of maltreatment to Mira after coming from abroad. Rabindranath being annoyed wrote a letter to Nagendranath on 22 Feb 1927;
" I thought that you have a definite plan for educating your son Nitu and for this reason I endured silently  when you have taken away Nitu from Mira only to disassociate. I don't think that Mira possesses less rights over his son Nitu than you have as per rule. But you have possess some force and no rule will be applicable there. But when  you have kept Nitu without any occupation with Dhiren, I find this will not yield good result. By this way you are punishing both Nitu and his mother.If you take this as your decision, I shall not say anything if you want to punish them. But I have something to say to both of you. When I thought that Mira possess some responsibility to his children I took some physical measure on behalf of Mira.But if I find that you have taken all the resposibilty of your childrens' education, I shall change my decisions. But I want to know your final thinking regarding this. If I see that that I have nothing to think for the benifit of your  children, I want to keep myself free from all such duties."
Though the letter was written in the next year but Rabindranath had taken some definite steps on this year i.e. 1926. He signed a trust deed on 22 Aug 1926 and that was very important deed for his children as well as Santiniketan. The details of which are as follows;
" The trust deed prepared by Hirendranath Dutta and Company solicitors firm says, Rathindranath  nominated Rathindranath and Surendranath as his trustees to look after the terms and conditions of the deed."
At first he stated the gist of the deed made by Devendranath and then explained the terms to be followed. After this the extra obligation of Dwijendranath to be repaid by Satyendranath ( or Surendranath after his expriry) and Rabindranath was stated. The itnterest and the principal of the loan borrowed by Satyendranath and Rabindranath of the amount of Rs.62,000.00/-  from Amiya nath Choudhury and Pramila Florence  Choudhury  also to be repaid by the trustees.
Keeping aside the property already handed over to Viswabharati the then valuation of the house and property of Rabindranath was fixed at respectively Rs.88,120/- and Rs.4,10,000/- and upto date valuation of the books written by him was fixed at Rs. 25,000/-.
The trust deed stated in details the monthly allowance and other financial benifits to be given to his (Rabindranath) only living son Rathindranath, his wife Pratima Devi, and their adopted child Nandini, the only living daughter Mira Devi, and her minor children Nitindranath and Nandita Gangopadhyay - but no share was mentioned to his living two sons-in-law.
The reference of the financial benifits given to his unlucky daughte Mira Devi was given the top priority. It was mentioned in the deed that a house to be prepared in Shantiniketan at a cost of at least Rs, 6000/- only fot Mira Devi till she was alive and she will get Rs, 400/- as monthly allonce for hr whole life and after her death, the amount would be equally divided amongst her two son and daughter afer they attained adulthood . If they happened to die erlier the money would be given to the students living abroad for higher study. Rs. 15,000/-only was alloted for for the marriage ceremony of Nandita.  Pratima Devi would get Rs 100/-  per month and Rs 25,000/- was fixed for the marriage of Nandini. If she happened to die earlier the money would be distributed to the poor farmers etc.
Rabindranath informed Nagendranath, if he would claim full rights on his children, the amount mentioned in the deed for them would be withdrawn        

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Rabindranath nath and Nagendranath Gangopadhyay (contd-1)

Nagendranath had no definite plan for educating his son, Nitindranath. Rabindranath wrote to him on 2 Feb, 1923;
" Pearson informed us of a good school at Lichfield Lichfield (pron.: /ˈlɪfld/) is a cathedral city, civil parish and district in Staffordshire, England. One of eight civil parishes with city status in England, Lichfield is situated roughly 16 mi (26 km) north of Birmingham. In 2008, its population was estimated at 30,583 and the wider Lichfield district at 100,700 ). I think, Nitu will be benifited there."
He again wrote on 26 Jan 1924;
" One lady of Paris came to our place at Shantiniketan . She heard about Nitu. She is willing to take the charge of his education in Paris with all necessary expenditure.There is another friend of ours , named Rana( Indian) whose wife is a German, staying in Paris . He asked for a little Bengali  girl to brought her up in his expenditure. But i could not get any of such girl."
Nitu could have higher education with their help but Nagendranath showed no interest. He only wanted money. He tried to sell two manuscript of Rabindranath to some american when they went there to attend an exhibition of earth work in 1924. We don't know that how many manuscripts he had misappropriated. These woul;d have great help to the future researchers.
Nagendranth ultimately got a Ph.D. under Sir John Russel of London University and he joined in his previous service at Calcutta University. but his quarter at Ballygunge Science College was, by that time, occuppied by Stell Cromrish joined at the post of Rani Bageshwari Professor. As a result Nagendra had some difficulty in getting his accomodation. By this time Ashutosh Mukhopadhyay who appointed Nagendranath died . Nagendra approached Rabindranath for help. Rabindranath wrote a letter to Shyamaprasad Mukhopadhyay, the son of Ashutosh Mukhopadhya, a member Senate, calcutta University;
" Nagendranath is now homeless from the place your father had given the shelter. To my opinion tis is not permitted as per rules. When he was sent to London, you could have sent the notice to him, it would have been better. But he was not informed during his stay in abroad. Just when he was going to join his service his legitimate rights were about to be taken away without any fault of his own. It is you who have sent him to abroad for University work and he remained absent during these days - he has done creditably for which he was sent to abroad. Is this his fault for which he has to be penalised or liable to insult ?"
The letter yielded no good result. Nagendranath was granted Rs.100/- as house rent  instead of given a quarter.   
  

Friday, January 18, 2013

Rabindranath and Nagendranath - 1926

( Mira Devi - standing rt.)
The youngest son-in-law of Rabindranath Tagore Nagendranath Gangopadhyay, had made the life of his wife Mira Devi, his son and daughter Nitindranath and Nandita, and even Rabindranath, a hail.Rabindranath wanted him to make him expert in agricultural Science by sending him to America and then utilise him in the development of Agriculture in his estate  But he took the easiest way of earning money by torturing his wife physically and mentally and by exploiting his rich and renowned father in law. Though he tried many times  in searching for a good job but was not successful.During non-cooperation movement Calcutta University was passing through  hard days . To get the support of Rabindranath Tagore, Ashutosh Mukhopadhyay, Vice chancellor of calcutta University, surpassing the criticism of the members of Senate, appointed Nagendranath Gangopadhyay on a monthly salary of Rs 500.00 only without his adequate qualification on Dec 1921 in the post of Guruprasad post of agriculture.Though he had recommendations from Rabindranath Tagore.
In those days a salary of Rs. 500/- and a residential quarter at Ballygunge Science College was not negligible. But the extrvagant and arrogant Nagendranath was not satisfied with that. In the words of Rabindranath; " Your restless and intolerant nature, your inability of controling yourself, your extra-ordinary anger, and your ferocious will to hurt others had caused occasional malady to me." - which was expressed in many letters written to Mira and Nagendranath. At last Mira Devi left the relation of nagendranath and lived in Shantiniketan with his father and got Nitindranath admitted in Shantiniketan School.  But Nagendranath adopted a new line to torture Mira Devi.
While appointing Nagendranath in Calcutta University, there was a precondition that he had to upgrade his qualification within a year. He wanted to go to UK for his higher study and took Nitindranath with him as a measure of punishment to Mira. To rouse his goodsense, Andrews, Pearson, and prasanta mahalanabis tried a lot.
From the book, "Rabindranath, Nagendranath and Calcutta University" written by Dr. Dinesh Chandra Singh, it is known that Nagendranath received sufficient money required by him for staying there. Still he asked for money from Rabindranath and Rathindranath which was not met with.
From the University Nagendranth got Rs. 800/- pm and two years study leave with full pay.
         

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Dwijendranath Thakur died on 19th Jan, 1926

The eldest brother of Rabindranath Tagore, Dwijendranath Tagore died on 19 Jan !926, in the morning when Rabindranath was at Lacknau. At this news he cancelling all other programmes hurriedly came to Shantiniketan. he wrote Sukumar Haldar;
" Barda expired. I am living only in this winter wind trembling as the last leaves -waiting to fall down by a storm, The stalk of a leaf has become loosened."
The Shradha Ceremony of Dwijendranath was simultaneously performed in Jorasanko and Shantiniketan on 28th Jan. This was published in Magh issue of Tattwabodhini.  
A big dinner was arranged.
Rabindranath did never agree death as the extreme end of a human being. This is not an exception.  

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Rabindranath and all India Music Conference

Rabindranath went to Lucknau at the invitation of All India Music Conference. A big party accompanied him which included , as written in Shantiniketa - Magh issue;
" A few days ago the Accharyadev went to Lucknau to attend a Art Conference.The following persons accompanied him -
Sm. Pratima Devi, Sj. Nandalal Basu, Sj. Rathindranath Thakur, Mr. Morris, Mr. and Mrs. Bake".
In the cash book of Rabindranath, an expenditure was incurred for paying the Cooli, going to Lucknau station on 14th Jan,1926."
The Biographer of Rabindranath informed that arrangements were done for his stay in Motimahal of the Nawab's palace.But no details of his daily routine was available.Asit Kumar Halder was the then principal of Lucknau art college.
After coming back to Shantiniketan Rabindranath wrote to his father Sukumar Haldaron 25th Jan, 1926;
" I have met Asit and seen him living as a king. But if one gives much manure to the plants, number of leaves are seen to grow not the fruits.I am also afraid of his surplus growth. This is not bad in family life but if honour of mind is better than the dignity of official status, it is a matter of concern."      

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Rabindranath and League of Nations

After coming over to Shantiniketan , a representative, M.S. Marvin,  from  the Dept. of Culture of the League of Nations, came to Shantiniketan on 12th Jan, 1926. The biographer of Rabindranath wrote;
" He said about the activities of League of Nations in the field peace keeping. But his lecture was not pleasing in relation to the gravity of the subject. Because the auditorium was knowledgeable about the current politics and  critical  to some extent. When Rabindranath met Mr. Marvin, he read about the league of Nations. The poet said, it is sad that no great man from Europe comes to the east.  Very few of them, who comes to the east are not philosopher in nature  nor  are artistic type .The English men started business  in this country and became the ruler. This type of people came to India in a great number. But the European civilisation was not only meant only for ruling India. The cultural side was not also negligible. If that can be done then the union between east and west will be successful."
After coming to his own country, Mr. Marvin wrote in "Manchester Guardian" on 23rd June, 1926, He (Tagore0 is the attraction and the stimulous, and one can see a doubtful prospect for the settlement [ Santiniketan] if these were withdrawn. 

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Rabindranath and Dhaka Viswavidyalaya

Informing his visit to Lakhnau, rabindranath wrote a letter to Ramesh Chandra;
" I want to change the date of going to Dhaka for two days more, lest I became able to reach there on 3rd Jan, 1926. I will be working there on and from 6th after reaching on 5th. I have decided that. I hope there will be no difficulty. I have left the idea of going there by ship."
It was settled, upto this date, that Rabindranath will remain at the Govt. quarter of Prof.Ramesh Chandra Majumdar as a guest. But since the formation of the reception committee, a natuaral sense of jealousy developed among the Bengalees.  If Rabindranath remains a a guest of Ramesh Chandra , his importance would be increased which was not enduarable by others and a complex situation was developed. 
   In the magazine, The Bengalee, this report of complex situation developed at the news of staying as a guest by Rabindranath in the quarter of Ramesh chandra was published in details. The name of Apurba Kumar Chanda was given due importance. Ananda Bazar Patrika wrote on 8th Feb;
" Some complexities and disturbances were developed at the instance of the visit of Rabindranath in Dhaka. After three days verbal  war, reign of peace was prevailing."
A famous researcher Gopal Chandra Roy collected all the documents from Rabindranath and other persons and got all the informaions from Rabindranath to write a book " Rabindranath In Dhaka". 

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Rabindranath and Recognition of Shantiniketan as a University-1926

Born in India, where his father was viceroy, Lytton is the grandson of the famous novelist. He succeeded his father as 2nd Earl at the age of fifteen in 1891. He was educated at Eton and at Trinity College, Cambridge, gaining a second in history. He was appointed to his first government post in 1901 (he is a Conservative), and holds a variety of posts in public bodies, largely concerned with the arts. He is an advocate of women's suffrage. In 1916, he joined the Admiralty, serving as civil lord until 1917, then as additional parliamentary secretary from 1917 to 1918. From 1918 to 1919, he served as commissioner for propaganda in France, and then returned to the Admiralty as civil lord, being sworn of the Privy Council and serving until 1920.

In 1920, Lytton moves to the India Office as parliamentary under-secretary. In 1922, he is sent to India as governor of Bengal, remaining in the post until 1927 and acting as viceroy during Lord Reading's absence from 10 April to 9 August 1925. He is sympathetic to the Indian people, and wins their respect and affection, acquiring many Indian friends of all castes and classes. In 1927 and 1928 he is asked to lead the Indian delegation to the eighth and ninth Assemblies of the League of Nations.
Rabindranath wrote letters to each of Nagendranath, Kalidas Nag, Prasanta Chandra Mahalanabison  that he would be going to Calcutta on 4th January, 1926.But he didnot write the reason for which he was coming to Calcutta.
On 31st Dec 1925, he received a long letter from Lord Lytton about the note given by him when Lord Lytton came to Shantiniketan. He wrote to Rabindranath expressing his inability of granting Viswabharati as a University which Rabindranath request him to grant Viswabharati a charter as a University enabling it to confer its own degrees."    He wrote in his letter;
" I am not satisfied that your institution at Shantiniketan has yet reached the high standard which is necessarily required before a University charter can be granted."
Rabindranath prepared the answer of the letter written by Lytton in consultation with many important persons  of Shantiniketan on 4th Jan, 1926. Lytton replied to the letter of Rabindranath on 16th Jan .

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Rabindranath and Indian Philosophical Congress

It was decided that the inauguration of Indian Philosophical Congress would be held on 19th dec 1925 and Rabindranath started for calcutta on 17th Dec 1925. The Indian Philosophical Congress was held on 19,21 and 22 dec 1925 in the Senate House of Calcutta University. The detail description of inaugural ceremony was described in Anandabazar Patrika on 21st Dec;
" At the initiative of Calcutta University, on Saturday at 10am, the first session of Indian Philosophical Congress  was held under the Prsidentship of Rabindranath Tagore. the session was inaugurated by Lord Liton. Rabindranath delivered a wonderful lecture on the philosophical thought of Salvation. The centre point of his thought was Salvation." He said;
" As in the world of beauty, so also, in the world of God,  our soul likes to leave in pure joy leaving the chain of bondage of this perishable body.That pleasure is the main cause of creation. Due to the thirst of hunting of infinite beauty and  being tired  by constant journey, the soul was wandering with tears for salvation. The desire of this salvation based on philosophical idea is mingled with our life and with passion of our  heart. This soul has started for salvation spreading the wings of the epics.'
The lecture was published in Pravasi and Bangabani.under the title " The philosophy of Our People.".  

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Rabindranath and Subhas Chandra

Subhas Chandra Bos was arrested by this time under the Defence of India Rule and was kept in Mandalaya Jail of Brahma Pradesh. He wrote a letter in English to his friend , Dilip Kumar Roy, discussing about the Concept of  Art. Dilip Kumar sent the letter to Rabindranath on 22Nov. Probably on 10th Dec informing Dilip Kumar, Rabindranath wrote him a letter praising his way  of argument but differing in opinion. He wrote that I have nothing to say against his submission of argument of the concept of Art. Art is the highest form of expression where the virtuous men ascent highest point of the mountain. It is not possible for every one to reach at that position. The clouds of different colours and flavours gather there. The cloud formed at the top of the mountain from the unreachable height comes down as rain to make the land fertile. The uncommon meets with the common in sucha manner which cannot be done by fixing the top with the bottom.Disaster happens when the person is asked to organise a market who is expert in flavour making.They carry out orders of the innerself....
     

Friday, January 4, 2013

Rabindranath and Gurusaday Dutta


Saroj Nalini was born in her father’s country house in Bandel, near Hooghly, in Bengal. Her parents were Brajendranath De, ICS and Nagendra Nandini Dé (née Bose). She was brought up with her brothers and sisters and shared with them an education under a tutor and a governess. In 1905, she married Gurusaday Dutt ICS. In 1909, her only child Birendrasaday was born
Born (1887-10-09)9 October 1887

Bandel, Hooghly, Bengal, British India

Died 19 January 1925(1925-01-19) (aged 37)

Kolkata, Bengal, British India

Nationality British India

Ethnicity Bengali Hindu

Occupation Social Worker, Feminist

Religion Hinduism

Spouse(s) Gurusaday Dutt

Children Birendrasaday Dutt

Parents Brajendranath De

Nagendranandini De (née Bose)

Saroj Nalini Dutt, MBE, (Bengali: সরোজনলিনী দত্ত) (9 October 1887–19 January 1925) was an Indian feminist and social reformer
Rabindranath was used to write introduction of a book occasionally. He wrote the introduction of a book, biography of "Saroj-nalini Dutta", wife of Gurusaday Dutta, written by him.The introduction written by Rabindranath in his own handwriting was printed in two pages and attached with the book.Sarojnalini came to Shantiniketan in number of times But she was not introduced with him formally. Mentioning the phenomenon Rabindranath wrote, " Having read the biography of Sarojnalini. I could understand by reading the biography of Sarojnalini that the writer her husband Gurusaday Dutta was a really lucky man. Because it is not possible to lose a wife even after her death with whom he was married by their good sight..
Sarojnlini was not a domestic lady. She passed most of her time in   the ma dying  crowd of the world. She had to become host of the foreign delegates. Her life was not bound within her family members. Her family included relatives-nonrelatives, national and international, known and unknown personalities She could have managed modestly the relations with all her guest. Outside world was not defeated by the domestic world and also the domestic world coudnot overpowered the outside one. We came to know her by reading her biography."  

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Rabindranath and Birth Control


By the last quarter of 1925, Rabindranath became attached with  a social movement launched by an American, Dr. Margaret Sanger, namely Birth Control Movement.
Margaret Higgins Sanger (September 14, 1879 – September 6, 1966) was an American birth control activist, sex educator, and nurse. Sanger popularized the term birth control, opened the first birth control clinic in the United States, and established Planned Parenthood. Sanger's efforts contributed to the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case which legalized contraception in the United States. Sanger is a frequent target of criticism by opponents of birth control and has also been criticized for supporting eugenics, but remains an iconic figure in the American reproductive rights movement.
Sanger's early years were spent in New York City. In 1914, prompted by suffering she witnessed due to frequent pregnancies and self-induced abortions, she started a monthly newsletter, The Woman Rebel. Sanger's activism was influenced by the conditions of her youth—her mother had 18 pregnancies in 22 years, and died at age 50 of tuberculosis and cervical cancer.
In 1916, Sanger opened the first birth control clinic in the United States, which led to her arrest for distributing information on contraception. Her subsequent trial and appeal generated enormous support for her cause. Sanger felt that in order for women to have a more equal footing in society and to lead healthier lives, they needed to be able to determine when to bear children. She also wanted to prevent back-alley abortions, which were dangerous and usually illegal at that time.
In 1921, Sanger founded the American Birth Control League, which later became the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. In New York, Sanger organized the first birth control clinic staffed by all-female doctors, as well as a clinic in Harlem with an entirely African-American staff. In 1929, she formed the National Committee on Federal Legislation for Birth Control, which served as the focal point of her lobbying efforts to legalize contraception in the United States. From 1952 to 1959, Sanger served as president of the International Planned Parenthood Federation. She died in 1966, and is widely regarded as a founder of the modern birth control movement.
Margaret wrote a letter to Rabindranath from New York on 12 Aug 1925;
" The Indian papers just received report that Mahatma Gandhi has been visiting you at Shantiniketan. Perhaps you have seen his recent statement in in opposition to Birth Control....we take it granted trhat with your international outlook on life and human society you cannot but feel friendly towards Birth Control. " and after this, informing Rabindranath about printing of his poem " The beginning "[The Crescent Moon] in the magazine " The Birth Control Review", requested him " We should feel highly honoured if you would send us a statement regarding Birth Control for publication in our Birth Control Review. "
Rabindranath didnot support birth control  by artificial means, instead his suggestion was in favour of sexual abstinence. 

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Rabindranath and Gandhi

Gandhi and Rabindranath discussed not only about Politics but also about religion. Ananda Bazar wrote;
" Todays news is Gandhi and Rabindranafh discussed first on politics and then on Religion."
In fact in their discussion politics ad religion became interlinked. The caste and division of labour system in Hindu religion were their subjects of discussion. In the collected works of Gandhi it was written;
" Mr. Gandhi explained very carefully his own meaning , showing that he did not believe in the subdivisions in the sub-divisions of castes of modern days, but believed that the division into the main vocational castes was scientifically correct.. But he did believe in a vocational division of manhood in which there was no question of inferior or superior but rather of different functions being performed in the body corporate of humanity."Hence He supported division of labour in the religion, and the subdivisions of of different castes. Rabindranath could not agree with his opinion.Division of labour to be determined by birth is scientifically wrong and irrelevant. Human being will select the work according to his choice and capacity to do work, he  likes to do.     

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Rabindranath and Charka

This time Gandhiji was travelling many places in India for propagating the utility of Charka and Khadi in Freedom Movement of India. He sent a message to Rabindranath expressing his willingness to come to Shantiniketan for he wanted to get his supprort  in Charka movement. Though Rabindranath was aware of the difference of opinion in this matter, he invited him in reply to his letter. But having learnt that the letter was sent by Nepal Chandra Roy , a wellknoFor those who seek knowledge, the biography of Nepal Chandra Roy can easily be of immense interest in itself. It is really amazing how Rabindranath managed to find great individuals with deep convictions like Nepal Chandra (The son of an educated, reformist and enlightened parents, Nepal Chandra passed his IA (Khulna-1885) and BA (1889-Calcutta) with distinction. Immediately after, he was selected for the high profile post of Deputy Magistrate. But something inside Nepal Chandra rebelled. At the young age of 22, he, instead, decided to move back to his village and work for some improvement of his middle level village school, so that it grows into a high school. He soon succeeded, and acting as the principal, made the high school of his village the best one in the whole district. But the reformer in him got into serious conflicts with the prevailing social practices for his stance against caste-based system and with great disillusionment he had to leave his village for Calcutta. After serving a few schools as principal, he joined Anglo School at Allahabad. But this time the patriotic streak in him became an eye sore for the British. They ordered the popular principal to leave Allahabad. Disgusted yet resolute Nepal Chandra then successfully completed study of law to fight the British on the legal turf and was about to join legal profession at Calcutta High Court when he got a call from Rabindranath in 1910 to join Santiniketan on an explorative period of six months. Nepal Chandra�s exploration of Santiniketan, however, took 25 years of active engagement with Ashrama life as an ideal teacher � someone immensely revered and loved by the students.wn forgetful minded man, Rabindranath became anxious and sent his son on 18th May and wrote;
It is a matter of  regret that the letter inviting Gandhi has not yet reached him because he has expressed his wiilingnss to come over here and we are not able to reply to him.) Roy.  
Gandhiji wrote on this day;
" Nepal Babu has sent me your very kind and cordial note. I do want to pass a day or two at Bolpur. I would not think of your leaving Bolpur to meet me. I know the delicate state of your health. I shall inform you of the date when I can come."
Gandhiji came to Bolpur on 29th May, 1925 in the night. Andrews  and others greeted him and brought him to Shantiniketan by motor. Satish Chandra came with them along with his wife.
On 30th May, in themorning he went at first to "Baradada', Dwijendranath Tagore who was a staunch supporter of Charka Movement. Then he met Rabindranath  who was sick. AnandaBazar Patrika wrote on 2nd June,
" The poet talked to Gandhiji sitting on a armchair. They had a discussion for about threde hours. " Only Andrews was present during their discussion and no other person was allowed to remain within the room."
The details of their talks were not available other than the essays "Charka" and "Swaraj" written by Rabindranath.