Gitanjali and Santiniketan (contd-5)

Rabindranath came to Calcutta back from Tindhoria on 22 Jaishtha (5 Jun). He he halted there for a week. Rajani Kanta Sen was then waiting for his death at a cottage at Medical College Hospital. He was attacked with irrecoverable cancer in his throat. He could not talk. He used to answer any question and express his feelings by writing. Rabindranath was acquainted with him on 21 Agrahayan, 1315 (6 Dec, 1908) at the inaugural ceremony of the new building of Bangiya Sahitya Parishad. The song,

'Shunao Tomar Amrita Bani', written by Rajanikanta in the tune of 'Danrao Amar Ankhira Age' was published in Jaishtha issue of Supravat. In spite of the mental uneasiness of the environment of the hospital Rabindranath went to  see his immortal follower  on 28th Jaishtha (11 Jun) in the morning.Autobiographer of Rajanikanta Sen, Naliniranjan Pandit wrote,"Rajanikanta had a desire for long time, today that was fulfilled. Having seen Rabindranath at his bedside when he was seriously ill, he welcomed him with gratitude and his head bowing down. One with full of devotion and the other with  emotion met together. Rabindranath asked him to send his son to Brahmacharyasram. Rajanikanta's daughter Santibala and son Kshindramohan sung the song, 'the Bela je phuraye jay, khela ki bhange na hay,' before Rabindranath and Rajanikanta himself played the harmonium.

It was also published in the 'Bengalee' paper,

'Babu Rabindranath Tagore, paid a visit to Babu Rajani Kanta Sen of Rajshahi at the cottage ward of the Medical College Hospital on saturday morning. Rabi Babu went straight to the invalid's room and took his seat on the sick bed. Rajani Babu expressed his feeling in writing and Rabindranath was visibly moved. The farewell was really touching. Mr. S,K. Lahiri also visited Rajani Babu.

While staying at Calcutta, Rabindranath wrote 5 songs of Gitanjali,

1.24 Jaishtha (7 Jun, 2010), 'Daya diye habe go mor', Gitanjali 11/61 Swara-37, Bhairabi-Ektaal. 
2. 24 Jaishtha ( 7 Jun), Sabha jakhan bhangbe takhan.     ,,         11/62
3. 26 Jaishtha (9 Jun), Jirajanamer Bedana,                     ,,11/62
4. 27 Jaishtha (10 Jun),  Tumi jakhan gaan gaaite bala    ,,  11/63
5. 28 Jaishtha (11 Jun), Dhay jena mor sakal bhalobasa  ,,  11/63-64 Jhinjhit-Jhaptaal.
and he went back to Santiniketan on that day.