Rabindranath's writings translated into other languages

A remarkable incident occurred on 16 September 1901, (last day of the month Bhadra, 31st Bhadra). Bipin Chandra Paul (1858-1912), a leader of  the Brahmmo Samaj, obtained a  Manchestor scholarship from  the British and Foreign Unitarian Association started for London on 21 September 1898 to study Comparerative Religion in New Manchestor College of Oxford. But after one year he returned home having gone to London and America on a propaganda tour to preach the theory of an unitarian  god and temperence. He had an wide range of experience in journalism and he sarted publishing a weekly English magazine in the title New India.   Under the banner of  'A Weekly Record and Review of Modern Thought & amp; Life' the first issue of the magazine was published on 12 August 1901.The magazine intended mainly to publish articles on Political and Social thoughts but cultural and literary articles were  also welcome. On 16 September 1901, an English translation of 'Subha' ( firts published in Magh 1299 in Sadhana), the short story written by Rabindranath was published. Nivedita, with the help of Jagadish Chandra, had already translated into English the three short stories:  Kabuliwallah, Chuti, and Danpratidan in November 1900. But those translations were not published due to the non-cooperation of the editor of a magazine in England. The credit of the first appearence thus went to 'Subha' translated into English by Jatindra Mohan Bagchi. 

This news was brought to readers notice by an essay, titled 'First English Translation of Rabindranath's short story' written by Samir Roychoudhury and published in New India on 4 November. He mentioned in his article the translation of the story Bicharak titled 'The Judge' as the first English translation, which was not correct.   

Rabindranath O Bangadarshan (contd-1)

Bangadarshan a monthly literary journal was founded in 1872 by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay (1838-1894), who also served as its editor up to April 1876 and was its main contributor. Though his editorship lasted for  only four years, its contribution to Bangla language and literature, especially, in the formation of Bangla prose, is immense. The language employed by Bangadarshan was Sadhu Bhasa, chaste Bangla, of a high standard. It published essays on literature, society, science, politics, religion and philosophy as well as novels.

Although Bankim Chandra was its main contributor, other writers too contributed to Bangadarshan, among them, Gangacharan, Ramdas Sen, Akshoy Sarker and Chandranath Basu. Bankim Chandra's, 'Bandemataram' was first published in this journal. After Bankim, his brothers Sanjib Chander Chattopadhyay and Srish Chandra edited the journal for some time.  Bangadarshan reflected the ideas of contemorarily Bengali intelligentia.                   

Rabindranath O Bangadarshan

Sailesh Chandra and Shrish Chandra were requesting Rabindranath to take the charge of editing  Bangadarshan in the new order for long time. After his arrival in Calcutta Sailesh Chandra multiplied his presure many timeson Rabindranath which could be well imagined and at last made him  to give his consent. He wrote, subsequently, in-spite of his full hearted support his name was put in the place. He had sufficient reasons for his hesitation to become the heir of a  person who had good reputation in the field concerned. But he had always been defeated by the opponents in the midst of several requests from different sources.He wrote this in a letter dated 27th April to Radhakishore who in turn encouraged him to accept  it and assured him all possible help.Bangadarshan began to publish in the new order since 15th May,1901 ( Wednessday, 1 Jaishtha) which was mentioned in the catalogue of books of Bengal Library. Before that advertisement was given in The Bengalee magazine on 18 April and 29 April under the heading " to be published from the end of Bysakh next.  A highly interesting novel by Rabindranath Tagore will appear from the first month."  In the advertisement there was invitation to become subscriber.with a guarantee of making the new series worthy as the old was..

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.        

First Felicitation of Rabindranath

Rabindranath reached Madhurilata to her husband's place at Muzzafarpur, Bihar.
Anurupa Devi (1882-1958), grand daughter of the great Bhudev Mukopadhaya, was married with Shekharnath Bandyopadhaya, the friend of Sarat Kumar, and began to reside in Muzzafarpur. She wrote about Madhurilata there. 
Madhurilata took up the role of extending  female education in the orthodox society of Muzzafarpur.
Probably, Rabindranath got his first felicitation in Muzzafarpur. This news was published in Bhaadra-issue of Prabasi.The news read as follows,
"A meeeting was convened to felicitate Rabindranath on 1st Shraban....". This was written by Aghorenath Chattopadhyaya. 

Influence of Shivaji on Rabindranath

In the Baishakh issue of 'Bharati',  Sakharam Ganesh Deoki  published a few 'Historical Letters' (p. 62-71) on which Rabindranath commented as above. He had a deep regard for Shivaji.
He tried to identify synonyms in Bengali for words commonly used in science. In this respect he praised Mahalanabish's essay in Bengali on a science subject. He translated 'centripetal force' and 'centrifugal force' in Bengali as "kendranuga" and "kendratiga" which Upendrakishore termed as "kendrabhisarini" and "kendrapagamini". 

(Video)Chhath Song - 2 and Rabindranath

Rabindranath commented on "Chatt Parab and Chak Chanda" written by Rajendrachandra Bandyopadhaya  and published in Baishakh issue of "Bharati'  and said that these are the description of female rituals of Bihar. Such folk rituals should be collected from different provinces. The content of folk songs are very interesting to study.