3rd foreign tour of Rabindranath (contd-4)

The description of the daily routine of Rabindranath during the journey in the sea as available in the writings of Soumendra Chandra. Citing the example of the translation of Gitanjali done by Ajit Kumar and Lumsaswami, he wrote, "The translated forms of the poems of Gitanjali being not upto his likings, Rabindranath started translating those poems by himself.We found that he was totally absorbed in translating the poems of Gitanjali on his way while moving in the train or  in the ship. As the mother gets pleasure in herself by adorning her child in different dresses  similarly  Rabindranath becomes overwhelmed with joy in himself by putting a foreign dress to his poems. He felt shy to disclose  it or to recite it before anybody. ...During interaction with somebody he used to say, "  I have been floating in floods of Joy by the pleasure of my recent creation but I don't know whether I shall be able to satisfy anybody with these writings." Specially, the thoughts expressed in these writings could create any sensation in the Western literature. Or it should end here.But the pen is moving with its own inertia. Sometimes he asked us to listen the translation after lunch or dinner. Our subject of discussion was what lesson and resources he would bring from Europe for the development of the school at Bolpur. Getting up from the bed he stood everyday in the east side of the ship. He used to see with a steadfast look to visualuse the sunrise on the Pacific ocean and absorbed deeply in his prayer...."

When Rabindranath came out for a journey, he was in the habit of changing his programme every time. He  changed it once again.  He informed Nagendranath that they would go to England via Paris and consult about his health with a doctor. If any treatment was necessary,  he would first get his treatment  and then go  for journey. This programme remained as it was.
They got down from the ship at Marceilles port in France. The possible date was 14th Jun.
Soumendra Chandra informed that they took a train from Marceilles and went to Paris. We boarded a Hotel near Gare du Nord station. Rabindranath wrote an essay, "Londone" , published in Bhadra issue of "Prabasi".He wrote,  "we reached there after two days from the scheduled date. Coming to Paris from Marceilles in a hurry we took a deep breath. We took our bathe and washed out the salt of the sea from the body to take rest on land. We took a motor car and moved through the city of Paris."
Rabindranath came to Paris twice earlier. but did not stay there for more than a day. The same thing happened this year also. On  Sunday,  16 Jun, 1912, they reached Dover from Calais by a small ship. From Dover they took a train and get pleasure. Rabindranath thought that they were within their relatives because they met some Englishmen. In France Rabindranath could not follow the language of the French people but now he can understand the languagre of the English people. He was  eager to meet Rothenstein and also anxious to know the status of his poems  in new forms after translating them to a foreign language.
The description of their journey from France to England was obtained from the essay written by Somendra Chandra;
" In a  small ship and suffering from a bad weather  we reached Dover totally exhausted. We took a train from Dover  to reach London.The English passengers were looking to calm, peaceful and gorgeious Rabindranath in his Indian dress frequently  Suddenly one of them came to Rabidranath in a comet speed and asked him fluently in broken Hindusthani language ;
" Surely, you have come this country for some religios motive. You seem to have come from Punjab.  We look Punjabis sympathetically because they are dutiful and does duries to protect the interest of the Englishmen. We hate Bengalees they want to sow the seeds of sedition and disturb the English people." Rabindranath heard everything patiently and replied,
" I have the honour to represent the Bengali Race whom you hate most."  

3rd Foreign tour of Rabindranath (contd-3)

The ship reached Port Said ( established on 1859 during construction of Suez Canal) on the sea-coast of Mediterranean Sea  on 8 Jun, 1912. Rabindranath wrote a letter dated nil  to Ajit Kumar, " We shall reach Port Said on the way to Europe crossing Asia today night.Before that there was no opportunity of sending any letter to you because the ship did not stop at Eden.

He wrote many letters to different persons  and the matters of all the letter were in general nature and could be read by any one. But many of the letters could mot be  not tracead later on.. Two of the letters were traceable. Among them one was written, on 31 may, to Mira Devi describing different information in the ship  and the other written on 5th June to Nagendranath on some important issues. In the last year when he tried to start for foreign, he handed over his charges to Rathindranath but this time he took Rathin along with him and hence he gave the responsibility of coducting his family on his youngest son-in-law, Nagendranath. The elder son-in-law Sarat Kumar, husband of Bela, remained busy with his professional work, so he could not deliver this charges . At the end of his departure Nagendranth was also appointed as a Secretary of Brahmo Samaj.

The last song or poem, "Aajike ei Sakalbelate" written by Rabindranth  on 26 April when he at Santiniketan, before he started  for Europe.. His 52nd birth day took place at Selaidah in presence of his son, daughter and son-in-law. He wrote Jagadananda Roy on 12 May, " My 52 nd birth day passed off in the midst of rain with thunder. I thought in my mind that, perhaps I am going to open a new  chapter in my life". From that time he was mainly a translator. Ten new songs, ten songs of Gitanjali and "Alo amar Alo" he translated into English before 3Jun, which is evident from his manuscript. On 3rd Jun while moving in the Red Sea , he wrote a new song, "Prana bhariye , Trisha Hariye"

(Gitimalya), and translated it, "More life, my lord, yet more..". This song was not included in the printed copy of Gitanjali.

While writing essays on the ship, he was also translating songs and poems.

On 6 may, 1912 he wrote Indira Devi, " I boarded the ship with a small note book in my pocket. The plan was, I shall translate some poems sitting on an easy chair on the deck when I shall feel restless and I got the opportunity. I finished the note book and now going to fill up another." 

The first one he gifted to Rothenstein, which was preserved. On scruitiny it was found that the song " Prana Bhariye..."  was there, and 15 poems taken from Naibedya, 6 Poems from Kheya, and 4 more from Gitanjali, and 3 poems from Shisu" were there. The 2nd one was not available which contained  20 poems in translated form ( translated form of 12 of whom was traceable). Prasanta Kumar Paul concluded that on noticing the printed Gitanjali it was evident all the poems had not been translated on the ship. At least 3 of them was translated after he met Rothenstein.

3rd Foreign tour of Rabindranath (contd-2)

During his Journey to Said Port from Bombay, Rabindranath wrote 6 essays. The name of the essay, written on 29th May was "Jalasthal" ( Land and Water, published on 3rd Jan in "Pather Sanchoy" and on 30th he wrote "Samudra Parhi"), on 3rd June- "Jatra", 4th June-"Anandarup", 5th June- "Dui-ichcha", 6th June-"Antara Bahira",  all the essays were published in Pather Sanchay on different dates. He did not suffer, as in the last two journeys, due to the swinging  of the ship. In these essays  he tried to describe the difference of ideals and livelihood in the lifestyle of Europe and that of India.  (Xerox  copy of p- 306-307 of Rabijibani, Prasanta Paul)

3rd Foreign tour of Rabindranath ( contd-1)

On 26 May they reached  Bombay and boarded  Watson's Hotel. Rabindranath wrote Nagendranath ;
"We reached Bombay in the morning at 8.30 am. and got a beautiful Hotel with two rooms. My eyes are going to be closed by the sweet breeze coming from the sea which I can see from my window. The ship will start from this place to Europe at noon on the next day."
Rabindranath boarded  this hotel , Watson's Hotel, after returning from his 2nd tour from England. He stayed in the Bombay city for about a month when he wanted to go to England for the 1st time for his higher education. So Bombay was well known to him. But at this matured age while he went for a walk in the afternoon
He found some peculiarity which was different from Calcutta. Among these  were, in the seashore or in the park, the open intimacy between the boys and girls.
He wrote, it could be visualised after coming over here that the dismal scenery of the female -less Calcutta was far backward that of the scenery at Bombay. We were habituated with intimate relation with a famale at the remote corner of our house but that relation could not be complete. Could we not meet outside our house in this vast world for a single day. For this reason he was attracted to the female of Brahmo Samaj because of the speciality of their simple and unhesitating acquaintance.
In this context he wrote to Somendra Chandra;
" I was out for a walk at the sea-coast of Bombay city. Hundreds of males and females of Persian, Marathees, Gujrattees, with varried dress had come out in the evening..." By the way, Gurudev said,"but Bengalees , in this respect, were void of their best half. The strength of female was dormant in Bengal. In the modern age the strength of the female is essential or the nation would be half dead......"
In the morning of 27th May Rabindranath wrote a small essay "Bombay Sahar" and sent it to Ajit Kumar narrating his experience in this year in Bombay City and added that he had to send it by bearing mail because there was no scope of sending it by Registry...Within a  hour the ship would start. On the same day he wrote to Hemalata Devi that they had to go to the port within a hour and physically they were all alright.His daughter-in-law ( Pratima) was also in a good mood and nothing to speak of Soumendra whi was making the journey a pleasant one.  The sea seemed to be calm and quiet and the journey might be very nice. The name of the ship was City of Glassgow. It belonged to The Ellarman Lines Ltd/City Lines/George Smith & Sons Company.
     

3rd Foreign tour of Rabindranath with son and daughter-in-law

Rabindranth decided to go to foreign for the third time  on  Friday, 24 May 1912.
"The Bengalee" paper published, in Saturday, 25 May (12 Jaistha) issue, the detail description of the farewell of Rabindranath; 

" Babu Rabindranath Tagore accompanied by his son Babu Rathindranath left Calcutta on Friday by B.N.Railway Bombay Mail for Europe.he will first visit France and Germany and stay for some time in England, whence he will go to America and return after making a prolong tour through China, Japan Siam. Members of the Tagore family, his friend and devotee, his Bolpur students and ex-students, with many of the teaching staff saw him off at the station.
On the next day, 25th May, the train had a stoppage at Nagpur and he wrote to Ajit Kumar;
The train has stopped at Nagpur. It is too much hot  here. For three hours we have to wait  in scorching sun. Somendra is sleeping. He possesses a peculiar calibre. Somendra has passed the whole journey with unstopped eating and timely sleeping that everyone became astonished. He has written in his memoir , "Rabindra-sangame Europe-prabaser Smritikatha."  which is filled with  so many intimate incidents. A small portion is illustrated below;
" Our farewell moment became garrulous with so many devotees of the poet. The compartment of our train was completely filled with gifts of flowers. We reached Kharagpur very soon. The sadness of the farewell scenery was wiped  out with the humorous dialogue of Gurudev and the unending foodstuff supplied by her majesty. Pratima was grambling for a hair pin which she had lost during this journey. at this Gurudev said, " don't be sorry Bauma, rather you thank Soumendra for this trouble-less journey." By this way we reached Bombay station and took shelter in a hotel there.             

(Video) KOLAHOL TO BARON HOLO

The second one was, "kolahal to baran halo" on 18 Chaitra , 1318 ( March, 1911).

Gitanjali: Song 44 "amar ei path-chaoatei ananda"

For translation into English Rabindranath first picked up the song, "amar ei path chaoatei Ananda", on 17th Chaitra, 1318.(  March 1911).

English Translation of Gitanjali

The Songs or Poems in the margin are preserved in Rabindrabhavan . 227 pages of a copy book of size 19.2x14.5 cm containing 228 pages had been filled up by writing with pencil. Rabindranath started his writing from the back page keeping 2 pages blank. He wrote 4th song of Gitimalya on the 5th page, " Sthir nayane takiye achi"was written on 28th March (15 Chaitra). In this way he wrote upto 30th song,"Sundara bate taba angadakhani". The last one was written in Hamstead on 25th June, 1912 ( 11 Ashara 1319 ; in Gitanjali the construction time of the song  was written as 15 ashwin 1317- the 1st song of Gitimalya. Rabindranath wrote the page no. as 1 - 43rd.  Next 12 pages, he did not put any page mark. He started writing from the front side on 4th Jul 1913 (20 Asharh 1320) when he was under treatment at Duchess Nursing Home, and finished his writing on 4th Oct 1914 (17 Ashwin 1321, 67th poem of Gitali, " Phul to amar phuriye gache". There were some English translation of a few poems in this manuscript.

While writing poems for Gitimalya, Rabindranath began translating some of his poems into English and gifted the manuscript, containing those translation, to Rothenstein. This manuscript with his name inscribed is preserved in the Houghton Library of Harvard University of America. From that manuscript, microfilm was prepared and kept in Rabindrabhavan. here it can be mentioned that Rabindranath was first introduced with India lover English artist William Rothenstein in the house of Abanindranatha and Gaganendranath at Jorasanko in Jan/Feb 1910.

  

Thsi was a 86 pages of ruled paper of which the original poetry in Bengali was on the left side and the translated one in the right side. But there are only 14 poems in Bengali. Three of them are for Gitanjali and 11 for unpublished Gitimalya.Rothenstein wrote on the copy book, "original manuscript of Gitanjali which the poet brought me from India on his initial visit to us at Oak Hill Park." Rathindranath wrote, " The Doctors advice was, at that time, complete rest. Mental work was also prohibited. My father then settled to translate some poems into English. To my opinion, the main inspiration for this work, he got from Ramsay  Macdonald . A few months back, when he came to Santiniketan, Ajit Kumar Chakraborty showed him some of his translated form of his poems which were published in Modern Review at the initiative of Ananda Kumar Swami and Jagadish Chandra Basu. Macdonald appreciated some of the translation which he informed my father."

Prasanta Kumar Paul, writer of Rabi Jibani,  remarked that Macdonald came to India on Nov 1909 and praised in writing the translated forms but he could not meet Rabindranath at that time. He came to India and visited Santiniketan at the end of  1913 after the death of his wife Margaret on 7th Sep, 1911.

Rabindranath  explained the matter in a letter written to Indira Devi on 6 May 1913 from London;

"  In the last year, when I was going to board the ship, my head began to tremble and I fell down. My Journey to England was postponed.. ( it was on 19th March  1910, a cabin in City of Paris was booked for Rabindranath to go to England with Dr. Dwijendral Moitra ). But I went to take rest at Selaidah. ......"  

Rathindranath and Selaidah (contd-1)

While  visiting for his Zamindari work Rabindranath preferred to use a Bajra (big boat) but in the opinion of his son Rathindranath, having returned from America after obtaining his degree,  Bajra was a slow vehicle and was  not suitable for going by water.  Rabindranath purchased a steamer with Rs. 7900/- from Fortilla Company for him. Rabindranath wrote about this steamer to Rathindranath in some of his letters earlier. Previously Jyotirindranth lost all his wealth in competition with this company namely  " The Bengal Central Fortilla Co. Ltd. This was the beginning of Rathindranath's exhorbitant cost of living in contrast with Rabindranath's simple living. Rabindranath was not satisfied with his son's way of living but due to his affection towards his son he could not point it out   to him. After few years the steamer had to be sold out for Rs.3000/- only on 8 May, 1917, undergoing heavy loss.

Sujit Kumar Chakraborty, brother of Arabindo Mohan and Ajit Kumar, passed B.Sc. from Presidency College. Rabindranath paid Sujit Kumar Rs.35/- pm regularly in the absence of Ajit Kumar. Now Rathindranath, being in charge of  the estate, was instructed by Rabindranath to pay the amount  from Ashwin within 3rd of every month.

Rathindranath got his education in Agricultural Science from America and Rabindranath selected Selaidah as his place of work. Rathindranath wrote ;

"My life has been  started afresh in Selaidah-it is supposed that I am just a wealthy farmer in Europe or in America. A vast land was made ready for the purpose. The seeds of corn and seeds of different grass for the animals were imported from America. Different kinds of instruments for farming suitable in our country was prepared. Even a small laboratory was constructed for testing the soil."

Rabindranath stayed here as a guest of his son and daughter -in-law. He came here with illness and wrote Ajit Kumar, " My lever was not functioning properly which I did not feel earlier- for this reason, I have come here. Now I'm feeling better. The problem of my lever is no more." A small room was

constructed on the roof of the estate-building (Kuthi-Bari). That was his shelter. The rain is over and Beneath the sky there is wide field of crops and  the stream of water of Padma is flowing . His  mind became completely filled with  sense of leisure in the slow-idle going village life. Explaining his state of mind he wrote a letter to Ajit Kumar.          

Rathindranath and Santiniketan ( contd-48)

Rabindranath wrote Rathindranath on 11 April, 1910 (28 Chaitra 1316), "The prayer on the 1st day of the year, 1910 ( Naba barsher Pratham din) will start early in the morning. if you come here at the midnight of the previous day then you will have to face some difficulty because we have to arrange everything in the evening on the day before the ceremony. Moreover, the fruits you will bring with you should be properly utilised. The fruits will be offered to the boys after the ceremony and things are to be arranged on the last  evening. So it is better to come in the mail train. If  Labanya and Pramod (Nath Roy) come along with you then you should prefer reserved compartment. Bring some amount of ice with you- it is too much hot."

Before writing this letter he wrote another letter on 6th April (23 Chaitra) asking him to bring Mira along with him. It could be assumed that the ceremony of the 1st Baishakh was held with pomp and grandeur. Rabindranath might have delivered a lecture but the printed copy of which was not available. 

He wrote a letter to Brajendra Kishore, " We have organised the prayer on the first day of the year early in the morning with all the teachers and students of our school. It is expected that this year will appear to us successfully. I want to share with you the  pleasure and happiness we got on that day.     

Rathindranath to be established

Rathindranath went to America for studying Agricultural Science sometimes in the middle of  Mar-April 1906. He studied for three years in Elionois University at Urbana and obtained B.S. or Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at the beginning of 1909.On 6 Jun 1909 he started for England from Newyork in the ship 'Caronia'. To get acquaintance with the research work in Europe he at first went to London and then to Germany. Rathindranath wrote a letter to his father from london  on 13 July when he was staying in the hotel, Claiments Inn , of London. Kedar nath Dasgupta,  ex-manager of the magazine, 'Bhandar', was there at that time. From London he went to Gottingen in Germany where he heard many lectures in a fortnight. He had to stay here for sometime but he returned to India from the port Marsai in France by ship. He explained the reasons behind it to the wife of his Professor  Mr. Seymour in a letter dated 25 July from Gottingen,. He wrote,
" When I came to Gottingen I thought I would stay here at least two or three months, in order to pick up the language a little bit and study the social life and agricultural conditions of Germany. But since learning that my father's health is not so good and breaking down day by day under the strain, I have been longing to go home as soon as possible and have so decided to start from here  some time in the next week. He came to Calcutta on 5th Sept.
Rabindranath  was keeping in his mind to relieve all his duty in the family and from the Zamindari for pretty long period. He got the opportunity to fulfill his desire after Rathi had come back home. He introduced Rathi with the client and the problems of Zamindary. Rathindranath too started to apply the rules and regulations he had learnt from foreign which he started from on 6th Jan 1910;
Sachindranath Adhikari wrote, "Rathindranth was applying to prepare card of Receipts and Expenditure instead of vouchers just as the system used in foreign. I, personally witnessed the index cards."
Rabindranath wanted to make Rathi established in the family life by getting him married with Pratima,  the bride, once decided by Mrinalini, his wife,  This was the first widow marriage in the  Tagore family held on 27 Jan 1910.
A change was also going to occur in the management of the Zamindary. According to the will of Maharshi, the Zamindary in Berhampore and Kaligram was rested on Dwijendranath, Satyendranath, and Rabindranath. Dwijendranath wanted to sell his share to Satyendranath and Rabindranath for 999 years lease with a fee of Rs 45,000/- yearly (payable in four instalments). The deed of contract was signed on 24 March, 1912, just before the departure of Rabindranath to London. Though the deed would be effected from 14 April 1909.
Satyaprasad Gangopadhyay was serving as a manager in the Zamindari of  the family of Maharshi Debendranath and he was also doing anything and everything necessary for the family. But he also wanted to retire from his post which Rabindranath had to grant him with a monthly pension of Rs. 150/- per month payable from the month of Paush.
The house (red building) of Rabindranath at Jorasanko remained almost vacant since Rabindranath was staying at Santiniketan. He had lent the ground floor with Rs.100/- pm to the estate office of Tagore family from Agrahayan 1313. But his son-in-law, Sarat Kumar, was doing practice at Calcutta Highcourt as a barrister from this residence. Moreover, an arrangement was made for Mira Devi to stay at the 1st floor and to hold the marriage ceremony of Rathindranath a portion from the ground floor was also to be used and the rent of lease was diminished to Rs.50/- pm.
       

Santosh Chandra and Rathindranath

Srish Chandra was a friend of Rabindranath Tagore. His son Santosh Chandra Majumdar went to America with Rathindranath. But he did not return to India along with Rathindranath. He came to India via Japan in the month of Paush (Dec 1909).When he was living in America, his father died on 8 Nov, 1908 and as an eldest son he had to take the responsibility of the whole family. Considering the tendency of a Bengali family it was natural that he would take a service . He also get two or three proposal from some business men to run a factory keeping him in the post of a manager. But Santosh Chandra decided to open a dairy for producing milk at Santiniketan.  Rabindranath became encouraged at this news since  at the very beginning of the school at Santiniketan, there was a scarcity of milk for students. He wrote to Nagendranath on 14th March,
"Santosh is openning a small dairy at Santiniketan with 4/5 cows. But in Bolpur it was very difficult to maintain a dairy for want of grass and other feeding materials were to be brought from a long distance. But still there was no possibility of any loss. If it was possible to keep at least ten more cows then it was sure to get a profit of 150/200 rupees only pm after expenses. To my opinion, dairy is more profitable than farming in our country. In our country dairy of cows is one of the essential factor. In all villages in Bengal, availablity of milk is rare and costly. Bengalees cannot prosper by simply eating spices with water."
Prof. Prasanta Kumar Paul said that Rabindranath was in the habit of making an ideal of a plan he liked. He wrote to Rathindranath,
" To get his niece married with Santosh, Upendra Nath Sen became eager. He has thrown the proposal to me. If he marry according to this proposal he will get 8-10 thousand rupees for his business. One day I asked Santosh about this proposal. But he was hesitant to say yes or no. " He added in this letter,
" I'm sure Santosh may get a orofit of Rs,200/- only pm, then what is the necessity of getting a service ?"

But the relatives of Santosh thought otherwise. They thoght that it was a plan to arrest Santosh. Still he tried to get through the proposal with utmost care. He wrote to Bhupendranath Sanyal on 2nd April,
" Santosh has bought 5 cows with rupees 1000./- only to feed the students of Santiniketan with milk. But here straw is costly. If it is available at a cheaper rate at your place, which we may  bring with your help. Cow-man is not also available here.At least two cow-men we require."
He also wrote to Charuchandra Bandyopadhyay on 17 Jan 1910,
"Have you written anything to Chintamani (Ghosh)? We want those. We have no objection to purchase one truck of goats."
 But Rabindranath put an objection to Rathindranath and Pramodh when they wanted to organise a dairy after collecting huge amount of capital and rembering his previous experience he wrote,
"Do you think that you will get larger success by arranging in huge pomp and grandeur. When I was in city within the locality, I had similar ideas. But I was befooled. I have seen many organisations with huge arrangements and pomp and grandeur-I had  undergone heavy loss by organising a National Shop- at last I made a loan of 1000/- rupees. I feel ashamed when we see disaster of the National Education Federation. Now I understand the reasons behind it. Now I think huge success comes after small openning, gradually developing out of the sight of people.
In 1895, Rabindranth had undergone huge loss by going to organise Thakur Company. During the movement of Division of Bengal  he wrote the song, "Yadi tor dak sune keu na ase to, ekla chalo re".
He put an objection to his son of organising a Dairy with huge arrangement."   

Rabindranath was black listed and Rathindranath at Selaidah

To overcome the effect of disaster was one of the items of Rabindranath's regular practice and he extended his arms to those who had  similar way of life. But he had to hesitate to go to the house of Krishnakumar where Arabindo lived before his escape which was known to him. 

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Special Branch, F.C Daly, in his Circular No.6,  dated 27 July, 1909, informed all the Police Superindendants and to the Calcutta Police Commissioner  the names of 22 black listed persons and asked to keep close watch on their movements. Rabindranath was among the 22 persons.

At this time Prof. Morgan Brooks (1861-1955) of the Dept. of Electrical Engineering of Elinois University and his wife had come to India for a tour. They also visited Jorasanko to meet Rabindranath. He wrote Nagendranath on 14th March,
" Your Prof. Brook had come here with his family. We were  very much pleased to have interactions with them. Mrs. Brook asked me to allow Mira to live with them if she would come to America. We were thinking casually to send Mira to America (her husband Nagendra was staying in America at that time). but we had to drop the idea after getting the information from Nagendra that an American lady, Miss. Bourdett might be available as a companion with Pratima, who might teach Pratima and Mira good English. " Rabindranath asked Nagendra in that letter to enquire about the remuneration she expected for this job.

It is to be mentioned here that after going to Urbanay Rabindranath remained as a  guest of Mr.Brook  on 1 Nov, 1912.  
Rabindranath went to Selaidah along with Rathindranath on 8 March, 1910 and came back on 19 March . Practically they had little work there and   Rabindranath wrote Nagendranath  on 30 Phalgun, " I have come to Selaidah with Rathi for some work, more properly, to take rest  from work. The remaining  portion of work was finished today.It is only an excuse to remain in spring on
Padma  "
He described a long story of this spring to Ajit Kumar,

      

Rathindranath and Prtima (contd-1)

Rabindranath came to Santiniketan with his son and daughter-in-law on 8 feb, 1910. Rathindranath was one of the founder student of Brahmacharyasram, so the students became busy to welcome him and his wife in a befitting manner.  Sudhiranjan Das wrote,
"It was decided that Gaur Da ( Gopal Ghosh) etc the players and body-builders will show their technique in body building and the other boys will stage the drama , "Malini" of Rbindranath.  gaurda, Biren (Sen), Haragobinda, etc started practicing the technique of the exercises and we began doing rearshal of our drama "Malini". On the day when Rathida and Bauthan (elder sister-in-law) had arrived we had shown the techniques of the exercises and so many techniques of Carate. All the spectators became excited with joy when a bullock-cart went over the breast of Gaurda..... In the evening, we staged our drama." In his description, the roles of the drama were played by, 1. Supriya - Manoranjan Choudhury, 2. Kshemankar-Saroj Chandra Majumdar (Bhola), 3. Mahishi- Narendramnath Khan, 4. Malini - Sudhiranjan Das.
A teacher, Jatindranasth Mukhopadhyay w rote,
"On this occasion there were arrangements of good meals, games,and different kinds of amusements. I remember a lottery was aranged in a day. In the lawn in front of the old guest house all of us - students, teachers, bride and bride-groom, and Gurudev were sitting.On a table, so many articles were arranged, starting from a chocolate bar to a football.Writing the names of each of the articles on small piece of papers were kept in a basket. Gurudev was picking up one after another meant for a person called for his turn and gave the article due to him. When a teacher got a marble or a chocolate stick
everybody bursts into laughter." 

Rathindra and Pratima

Rabindranath’s second child Rathindranath Tagore (2nd from left), who was his eldest son, was born on 27 November 1888. Rathindranath was married on 27 January 1910 to Pratima Debi (2nd from right). Pratima Debi was born in the year 1893. At the time of their marriage, Rathindranath was 21 years 2 months of age and Pratima Debi was about 17 years .

Pratima Debi was Gaganendranath and Abanindranath Tagore’s niece. (Her mother Binayini Debi was their sister). Before her marriage to Rathindranath, Pratima Debi had been married to Nilanath Mukhopadhyay but, was widowed later. Rathindranath and Pratima Debi’s marriage was the first instance of a widow marriage in the Tagore family
First rice taking ceremony of Pratima was held on 30th Jan, 2010 and  Rabindranath handed over the charge of his family to her with a sum of Rupees 50/- as family expenses on 2nd Feb, 2010, just after 3 days she came to her father-in-law's house. Rabindranath wrote to his son-in-law, Nagendranath,
" Hope you have got the news of my daughter-in-law. Everybody likes her very much. It is Santi who is charmed and Dhiren (both are brothers of Nagendra) too is so. They are of opinion that this time her beauty surpassed that of Bela even. Not only in outward beauty, her behaviour is also  sweet. Her face appears so calm that she looks gracious and erveryone becomes attracted."
In that letter, written to Nagendra, he described the duties alloted to Rathindranath. After the completion of his course Nagendranath might join in the same field of work. Rabindranath described him in details the socio-economic perspective  of  contemporary India.
" Now,our main duty is to try to develop the economic condition of the downtrodden of our society.If you want to be a co-worker of Rathi then there are ample scope. You can cultivate land in co-operation with the farmers, can open Banks, to build healthy dwelling place for them, to pay up their debt, to arrange for the education of their kids, to provide means of livelihood for their old age, to costruct roads and dams, to remove scarcity of drinking water, to fasten each other with bondage on the basis of co-operation, and so many similar works.If we became successful to form an ideal village of this type, then the whole country will get an example to do likewise. I did not find persons to do this type of basic work. Everyone wants excitement. There are very few persons for real work, for real sacrifice."
    

Marriage of Rathindranath (contd-1)

"Rabindranath's in-experience in domestic affairs caused some mistakes in the management of Rathi's marriage, after its successful completion," was the complain made by Manoranjan Bandyopadhyay. In reply to this Rabindranath wrote on 8 Feb (26 Magh); " I was not to be blamed for the mistakes commtitted in the management of Rathi's marriage ceremony. Because I was completely aware about my in-experience in all such affairs.  I kept myself silent during the ceremony and  relied on those whom I had given full liberty to perform all about the management. The only exceptions are I paid the money and Rathi is my son. Many blunders have been committed and I'm supposed to be responsible for those but I expect absolute excuse from your end." Rabindranath along with his son and daughter-in-law went to Santiniketan, on the same date (26th magh) and added, " We are going to Bolpore this day." Before doing this he was busy in doing last minutes  social responsibilities. Jyotirindraanth, in his diary, wrote on 31 Jan (18th Magh),"...I met Rabi after coming to Jorasanko in the room of Bela" and dded on 24th Magh,"again I met Rabi in the room of Bela after coming to Jorasanko along with Jogesh (Choudhury)" Rabindranath was very much pleased with her (daughter-in-law) behaviour and her handsomeness and wanted to hand over the respnsibilty of his family.

   

Marriage of Rathindranath, Jan.,1910

(Tagore with his family members. (L-R) Daughter Mira Devi, son Rathindranath, Tagore, Daughter-in-law Pratima Devi and daughter Madhuri Lata. )

( Pratima, wife of Rathindranath, 2nd from right)
Rabindranath was busy in getting married his son Rathindranath, just after the end of Maghotsab,  was accelerated after the festival. He wrote Dinesh Chandra Sen,
Yesterday I wanted to go to your place for handing over your invitation card of the marriage of Rathindranath. But I beecame tired after going to different places. My health too is not keeping well. Moreover,I could not get time before 11 Magh (24 Jan , he delivered a lecture at Maghotsab, Calcutta, on Biswabodh). Now it is very difficult to meet all the works about the marriage.Please don't take otherwise, if I am not able to invite you by presenting myself. I think, you also may not be able to attend the ceremony  physically for your pre-occupation. But Arun should come. The marriage will be held on 14th Mag (27, Jan. 1910, at 9 pm. and the first eating rice of the new bride will occur on 17th Magh, at midday.)
On 14 Magh (27 Jan), at 9 pm Rathindranath (21years) was married with Pratima (16 years). Jyotirindranath wrote in his diary,
"This is the end of the marriage of Rathi...Pratima (bride) looks very beautiful -- her age is 16 only. This is the first incidence of a widow marriage in our family.The marriage took place at the house of Gagans."
To make the occasion remarkable Rabindranath dedicated his book, Gora, to Rathindranth mentioning  the date on the book. On the same date Jagadish Chadra presented a copy of his book "Plant response as a means of Physiological Investigation" to Rathindranath.

On 17th Magh (30th Jan), Jyotirindranath wrote in his diary, " This is the day of first taking rice of the bride of Rathi. Lahorini and Nagendrabala of Harhkata Lane also came." Lahorini" Saratkumari Choudhurani presented a valuable gift to Rathindranath. Due to his economic stringency Rabindranath disposed off  'all his belongings for the development of Brahmacharyasrama, even the books of his own library', to different persons But he did not sell the golden pocket watch received by Rathindranath as a gift in his marriage ceremony. It was so nice that on putting on a switch, two doors became automatically open and within the cover the letters R.T. were inscribed.- This watch was once bought by Saratkumari Choudhurani  from Rabindranath. Rathindranath wrote, " in my marriage ceremony she presented a box to me". On opening the box,  I saw with great astonishment  that it was the same watch belonged to my father. At once my heart became filled with gratitude. The watch is now preserved in Rabindra Sadan.

(Rathindranath Tagore (1888-1961) Rathindranath was not only one of the first five boys of the Santiniketan Brahmacharyasrama, he was also one of the reasons for its existence. Rathindranath was the most representative product of Rabindranath's educational ideal. After his matriculation, Rathindranath was sent to Illinois to study Agricultural Science. He spent the next four decades of his life serving Santiniketan and Visva-Bharati. At Santiniketan, he taught genetics to the students and he had been praised for making such a technical subject interesting for the layperson. Apart from teaching he worked mostly behind-the-scenes, organising, trying to find newer and better methods to implement ideas. At different times he had been the Karma-Saciva, teacher, Santiniketan-Saciva, in charge of Sriniketan and fifty years after his joining the Brahmacharyasram, when Visva-Bharati became a Central University, he became its first Upacharya. Without his active patronage, the Tagore memorial and archives perhaps could never have come into existence. He made over his heirloom to Visva-Bharati and a part of his income to Rabindra Bharati.

Rathindranath and Jorasanko (contd-47)

Rabindranth wrote another big letter to Satyaprasad (standing right) on 16 Kartick (2nd Nov 1909). the glorious persons those who rtayed in Maharshi Bhavan, Jorasanko, had gradually started to settledown in separate residence. Satyendranath, Gnanadanandini, and Jyotirindra lad left Jorasnko for long ago, Dwijendranath was staying, at present, in Santiniketan and for the last two decades Rabindranath living in Jorasanko off and on. The childrens of Dwijendranath and Hemendranath were staying there, buty they did not take the responsibility of the maitenance of the building at jorasanko. Satyprasad, as a estate manager, lived there with his mother, and his children and took the full responsibility. When he ,himself,wanted to go to Kashi-Allahabad, the area of his daughter's father-in-law, Rabindranath wrote him with broken heart;
"Let me open the true picture before you. I am  not at all satisfied with your decision of leaving Jorasanko cutting off all the relations. For, number one, the relation with you is a life long bondage, which had been mingled with the bricks, walls etc , secondly, the relation that had been developed with you was depedable. In a word, Jorasanko is now almost empty. if you stay here, at least, it seems to be domestic building-my childrens too consider you as near and dear ones, they donot get any other person as you . If you leave , the house will appear as a rest house. Moreover Rathi has to live in villge for his work, then it will be difficult to say a dwelling place. For all these reasons, you are asked to stay so long as you can. It may by true that you have a family and that is not only these bricks and walls.If your relatives stay otherwise, then it is painful to keep you here. You will have to be relieved. jorasanko has become meaningless to us and if you will leave then that will be confirmed."
Satyaprasad was granted a pension of Rs.150/- only p.m.and he is getting his pension from the month of Paush.
Rabindranath was at Calcutta for some days. Rathi (Rathi returned back from America after successfully comleting his study on Sept, 1909), too was staying in Caclcutta. Rabindranath was busy to give charges of the main estate on 13th nov., 1909 and to make his own future plan and programme.On that day, he went to Patisar via Selaidah early in the morning with Rathi. He travelled with Rathi a long distance through boat to make Rathi , the new Zamindar, known with the tenant because they have some holdings in the district of Rajsahi. He had come to this place with Rathi earlier.       
On the next day, Rathindranath wrote Nagendranath Gangopadhyay form the boat on the Padma;
"we again returned back from Kaligram by boat . My father was dropped at Goalanda . He went to Calcutta from that place on the day after tomorrow. He had to deliver a lecture at YMCA.
In the month of Paush from 17th, Rabindranath was at Calcutta for arranging negotiation for marriage of Rathindranath.  This was known from a letter written by Jyotirindranath dated 4th Jan (20 Paush).
"Got a letter from Rabi - he requested me to remain present at the marriage ceremony of Rathi."
The marriage was settled with the widow daughter, Pratima Devi (5.11.1893-9.1.1969) of Binayini Devi and Seshendra Bhusan Chattopadhyay. Binayini Devi was the sister of Gaganendranath. After her birth Mrinalini Devi wanted her to be married with her son, Rathi.But as the Guardians were not willing to delay more, the negotiation did not proceed.She was married with the son, Nilnath, of Nirode Nath Mukhopadhyay, a classmate of Rabindranath, on Phalgun, 1310.But after two months, on Baisakh, 1311 Nilnath died suddenly by drowning in the Ganges.
In the context of marriage of Rathindranath, Pratima came, at first, in the mind of Rabindranath.Purnima Chattopadhyay, the daughter of Gaganandranath wrote,
"Rathikaka having come back from foreign, Rabidada said to my father, you ought to think of  Pratima to get her married again. Ask Binayini not to disagree because Pratima has to pass so many days before her and it is very difficult ,at this age, to neglect all the temptations. Moreover, her parents are alive now, but after their death to live in the family of her brothers will be a difficult task.It is not at all desirable. Think, hat iit is better to get her married again.
 My elder aunt said, 'I shallbe boycotted in the society then. I possess more children and has to get them married.'
My father said, 'don't be afraid, I'm always with you. If you are boycotted by society, I too shall boycot the society. But in this way, we cannot allow to go away with the life of our child Moreover, the groom is not an unknown person, He is our Rathi. Rabikaka likes to get him married with Pratima. Our child will remain in our house. Donot disagree. We have to take Pratima's opinion. She has to realise '     
At the outset, she does not agree. My father made her agreeable after many trials.My father said, you think that it was a dream. Now you have to start a fresh.
Ignoring the then society My father get her married in his own house with his constant guard. There were many obstructions, but my father ignored all of them."
   Jyotirindranar wrote in his diary, "I had talks with Samar and Gagan. It was encouraging. "
Rabindranath wrote to Nagendra residing in America, "Hope you know it ws a widow marriage. At first there were some problems, but ignoring them all were solved.  

Rathindranath and Santiniketan (contd-46)

Rathindranath got B.S. (B.Sc.) degree in agriculture and on this year (1909) he started for Europe. Rabindranath wrote Manoranjan Bandyopadhyay, on 26April (13 Baishakh);
"Yesterday, I sent him money for going to Europe. I want that he would go to France and then Germany and complete his study before coming to Calcutta."
Staying for some days in London (a letter written from London are kepr at Rabindrabhaban)Rathindranath went to Germany and studied in the Goettingen University there. On 9th Aug Rabindranath wrote Manoranjan;
"Today, I received a letter from Rathi. Now he is at Germany. he wanted money for coming back to his countryand and that has been sent."
He, again,  wrote him on 20 Aug ;
"Bela is writing a letter to Rathi at Bombay address and I asked her to intimate you too."
From the official record it was found that Rathi had come to Howrah station on 5th Sept. On the same day, Rabindranath went to Ballygunge accompanying Rathi and wrote to Nagendranath, his second son-in-law, "Rathi has come....He would be busy for some time to meet his relatives door to door. I have to think for his place of work.  I am, at present, busy with some domestic problems. After solving these problems I have to  settle a suitable job for Rathi and Sarat and then I may get some relief. I was waiting so long for this day to come."

Rathindranath and Santiniketan (contd-45)

Rabindranath wrote to Manoranjan Bandyopadhyay on 24th April, 1909,
"Surely, the examination of Rathindranath was complete by this time.I have sent him the money of going to Europe last day. Let him finish his education first at France and then Germany and then he will come to India. I think he will come back  at the end of this year....
I am writing to you while three persons are waiting for me in three places. But the time has come when I shall go to Bolpur by a loop Train.  I am running short of time. I did not find any time earlier to write to you. Today is the high time to write to you or I shall miss it."
"Some girls arrived at Santiniketan. A school has grown up automatically for their education. You have done it yourself." Rabindranath wrote it to Manoranjan Babu on 31st Chaitra.He expressed his willingness to Rabindranath to get his daughter admitted in this school. At this Rabindranath replied, " the rules and regulations of this Girls' school is same as that of the school for boys  You decide the matter after coming over here. Kadambini Dutta proposed to appoint a young girl, naamed Indumati, of ordinary Brahmo Samaj as an worker in this Children Section. Rabindranath was also agreeable to some extent. But as he remarked ironically to the orthodox and communal attitude of ordinary Brahmo Samaj in his books Noukadubi and Gora, many members of that society was not satisfied with him. Probably they opposed the desire of Indumati. He informed Kadambini Dutta saying her not to request him farther and added that 6 girl-students were reading in this school  Some more students would be coming after the vacation.  The wife of Mohit Babu and another two women are going to take charge of this school. He wrote about him, My health is not going well. It is vacation in the school. It was decided that I should go to west with my daughter.but she was attacked with fever- I would not be able to start before her recovery.
But he himself fell ill when Mira recovered from her illness.

Rathindranath and Widow Marriage

Devendranath did not have good relation with "Tattwbodhini" paper and the authorities of the paper was reluctant to publish any news of Thakurbari. Many became astonished  to see the following news in Tattwabodhini;
"The widow daughter of one of the Judge of Calcutta High Court, Sreeyukta Ashutosh Mukhopadhyay Saraswati, was married in his residence at Bhawanipore on 24 Feb, 1908. Many important persons were present on that occasion. The marriage was performed according Hindu Philosophy."
  Once when Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagrar was the director of "Tattwabodhini", Devendranath boycotted the meetings of Tattwabodhini because they were publishing the news of widow marriage. Now the situation was reversed. Not only they were publishing the news of widow marriage, widow marriage was happening in Tagoe family.  
There had been a social turmoil at the marriage of the widow daughter, Kamala Devi (1895-1923), of Ashutosh Mukhopadyay. Jyotirindranath wrote in his diary on 27 Feb,1908,
" At the marriage of the widow daughter of Ashutosh Mukherjee a group of people became at daggers drawn....."Sandhya" and "Bangabasi" belonged to this opposition gruop."
Kamala Devi was married with Subhendusundar Bandyopadhyay, grand son of Bankim Chandra. The relatives of his ex-son-in-law filed a case in the court relating this incident. Neglecting all these, Ashutosh arranged the marriage of his widow daughter. But as ill-luck would have it , the second husband of Kamala was short lived.
There was no written description of  Rabindranath's reactions on this issue and  he who, at the direction of Devendranath, stood against  the marriage of Sahana Devi,the widow wife of Balendranath, on 1307 (1901), in his own initiative arranged marriage of his second  son-in-law, Satyendranath Bhattacharya with Chaya, the widow daughter of Satindra Mohan Thakur of Pathuriaghata, on 18 June 1908 (4 Asharh 1315). On the next year he arranged marriage of his son with child widow Pratima Devi.     

Rabindranath in Rural Reconstruction (contd-1)

Rabindranath started his rural reconstruction programme (sacrificial rite) from Selaidah. In place of the senior manager Bamacharan Basu he appointed Bipinbehari Basu, B.L., on Baishakh 1314 (April 1907). This energetic and efficient manager made simplified of Rabindranth's purpose. The estate of Berhampore Pargana was divided into four Mandali (departmental office) except Selaidah. 1. Janipur -Banagram, 2. Kumarkhali-Panthi, 3. Kaya-Kaloya, and 4. Sadirajpur-Radhakantapur. Four persons were given charges of those offices as Superindendants,  1. Nalini Chakraborty, 2.Bhupesh Chandra Roy,3. Ratikanta Das, and 4. Satish Chandra Ghosh. He charged welfare tax at the rate of 3 paise per rupee per tenant in his estate over the introduction of small donation (mustl bhiksha). Zamindar  paid  equal  or more the amount collected as welfare tax and small donations.
In each Mandali other than the Superintendent two Hindus and two Muslims were appointed as members. At the beginning twice in a week and later once in a week they met and look after the plan and programme. On 14th July, 1908 (30  Asharh , 1314) Rabindranath wrote Manoranjan Bandtopadhayay;
"I have established a work in our Zamindary estate. Dividing the Berhampore pargana into five Mandals, I have appointed five Superintendents These Superintendents are engaged in establishing Palli-Samaj (Rural reconstruction) so that the villagers took their own initiative for their welfare. They will do the following works,
1. Construct and maintain the roads of the village,
2. Remove the Darth of drinking water,
3. Settle down the litigation among the village people,
4. Establish and run the schools,
5. Cutting and clearing the woods,
6. Creation of Grain-Gola as a protection against famine etc
Moreover to develop initiatives and encouragements among the villagers to work hand in hand for the all round benefits of the village society.Work is progressing much among the tenants, those who are Muslims  - in the Hindu locality there are obstructions. Rabindranath could remember this difference between Hindu and Muslim locality through out his life. (vide Sriniketan-er Itihas o Adarsha, Palliprakriti 27/554). Probably for this reason, his plan of welfare work was successful more in the Muslim locality, Kaligram, than in  the Hindu locality, Berhampore.
Rabindranath transfered Subodh Chandra, working in Santiniketan to the job at Selaidah due to his high ambition. But it is only due to an accident he had to resign from his service. He wrote Bhupendranath,
"Bhupesh was always practicing heroism by loading a pistol and got pleasure by killing the pair of doves. One of the relatives of Subodh (Haridas) had taken away the loaded pistol from the hands of Bhupesh and was trying, as a play game, to frighten the children of Subodh who were sitting on the lap of Bhupesh. All on a sudden, a bullet came out of the pistol and hit Latu (Latika) on her forehead.Subodh was working with me on the boat. Latu died when we came  back from our work.  By nature Subodh was restless. He laid flat due to his bereavement. No one could give him solace so that he might resume his work. After all , he left Slaidah as soon as possible.         

Rabindranath in Rural reconstruction

Rabindranath came to the shore of Padma with his two daughters, Madhurilata and Mira. After coming over here Rabindranath became free from his health hazards and he wanted to use his physical fitness in the field of rural reconstruction . He was instructing the villagers for many days to develop self-strength. The neglected habitats of  the villages of Bengal were his main place of work. The wave of the movement against division of Bengal and the boycott movement drove away the young educated youth to move door to door campaign.But many of them could not establish good relation  with the villagers, their appeal fell flat on   them. Even they encountered direct opposition from the villagers. For this reason Rabindranath explained in his speech about the plan of "Pallysamaj" in the meeting of the Don Society.In this speech he mentioned ; " I have been trying to establish "pallysamity" which did not attain success. Any attempt for the benifit of the Bengalees could not get success because of their difference of opinion on petty matters."
When he was at Selaidah he again tried on his plan for rural reconstruction. He wrote to Bhupendranath;
" I have taken up a job here and I shall be glad if I become successful." He wrote in details of the plan and  programme to Ajit Kumar Chakraborty on 15  Jan;
" The village is not yet prepared to accept my plan of action. At present I am trying to know the village and the villagers. Bhupesh is collecting data. When this programme will  take a shape then we shall start with the plan. I want to establish 'Swaraj' to each of the village- the miniature form of the whole country. The work is difficult, but we have to do it. It  needs many sacrifices. I am preparing my mind to get the service of my son, Rathi . He also should get ready to sacrifice for this programme.
He came back from Selaidah on 6 April and wrote Abala Basu,
Now I'm busy with "Pallisamaj". I have decided to show an example in our Zamindari estate how to create an ideal village. I have already started doing work. I got some youth of east Bengal who are working with me. They are working within the village by staying with them. They are imparting education, advicing on health and justice so that the villagers  can do with their own initiative. With the help of the villagers, they are constructing roads, digging ponds, preparing drains, cutting of jungles etc.
If we can spread the initiative through out the whole country, then Swaraj, Independence etc will seem to be within our reach. Otherwise, one should feel ashamed to utter such shallow word. Rabindranath was also conscious about the complexity of psychological problems." He wrote Ajit Kumar Chakraborty ;
" First and foremost obstructions came from human being. But when they find it reliable, every obstacle will be removed very easily. There are some advantages. 1. One factor is that I am a Zamindar, 2. Economic stability; But actually it is difficult to say that these are advantages. Some hidden lies remain within it. If one could remove the actual obstruction with actual effort, then one can perceive what is  truth. After doing some work, it gains some inertia and the speed of the work will increase. So long as Bhupesh are working  with us, the impetus of the work will not diminish. So one day we have to leave the villagers work independently.Otherwise they cannot mix up with the grassroots. They will look upon the result to be earned easily. What may come we have to do it. Make the villages independent  and the humanity saved. Attempts are being made so that the village work are done by the villagers unitedly. One multipurpose shop is going to be established and one school to be founded. To each family we have given a pot where they will put coins for the village work. If 10 rupees are collected and I  give 5 rupees then  with 15 rupees one teacher could be appointed. He will get his fooding and lodging in a house and build up the village from within .
Rabindranath could visualise his imagination  to be converted into practice and became agitated with restlessness. He wrote Bhupendranath,
I am  feeling agitation within my heart and I have to find an way out or I shall not be able to settle my mind..              

Rabindranath and Techical Laboratory

Since the inception of the school, Rabindranath thought of establishing a laboratory and a technical department in his institution. But for want of money, equipments and suitable teachers his desire did not fulfill. He started a carpentary and weaving sections with small costs. After the closure of a college, established by the Maharaja of Tripura, he received as a gift some scientific instrument from the college. But those instruments were insufficient to  start a full-fledged technical department.
Being encouraged at this  Rabindranath wrote Bhupendranath on 15 Dec 1908;
There are some instruments at the Ashram established by Darmapal at Sarnath of Kasi. He proposed to donate all these instruments to our instittution. But those instruments are to be brought after proper packing. It is you only, who can do this because you stay in Kashi and you know how it can be done. I asked Satya to make arrangement for bringing a permission letter from the authority. After getting that you can proceed to bring those instruments."
He was instructed not to proceed after few days for it had been decided that Satya would bring all those intruments.
On 17 Feb 1908, Rabindranath wrote son-in law Nagendranath ,
A meeting was held in America by the benifactors of India. Do they are agrreable to give us some advice in this regard. If it is possible for me to organise a technical department, which I like, and run it under the name "Indo American Industrial Institution" so that we may get help from abroad. The reply of Darmapal needs to be informed to Bhupendranath.
Jagadish Chandra Basu was at London at that time. He informed Rabindranath,
"a small instrument is available here. It's my desire to open a workshop at your school. With only Rs. 150/- one may get one horse power Kerosene Engine which runs  a dynamo very easily to produce light. Ofcourse another Rs.50/- is necessary for kerosene. An American lathe machine is available with only Rs.200/-. Your workshop can be started with Rs. 500/- or 600/-."
In reply Rabindra asked the actual amount with which it can be started. Will it be possible with Rs. 1000/- ? Jagadish Chandra answered that it can be started with Rs. 1500/-.
The proposal did not materialised  due to want of suitable available teacher.
Not only a techinical Department,  Rabindrnath wanted to open a College at Santiniketan in Bolpur. The pleader and national leader of Silchar named Kamini Kumar Chanda wanted to get his son Apurba Kumar admitted in Brahmacharyashram and agreed to pay Rs.60/- per month.
In 1911, Rabindranath took another attempt for openning a College. But that two was not possible.    

Rathindranath and Santiniketan (contd-44)

Rasbindranth's youngest daughter, Mira, was to be married to Nagendranath Gangopadhyay on 23 Jaishthya. After their marriage Nagendranath would be sent to America for training in Agricultural Science. Rathi and Nagendranath would be absorbed simultaneously.
During the movement against "Division of Bengal' the name of Rabindranath was black-listed by the police. The police was curious about his poem "Namaskar" and also they were watchful about Brahmacharyasram. Rajlakshmi Devi wrote Rathindranath on 4th Sept 2007,
"Perhaps you know that your father does not possess good name in the police document. The Government has prosecuted Arabindo Ghosh, the editor of "Bandemataram" .Perhaps you know this.  Your father has written a poem wishing  him which has been circulated throughout Calcutta and was published in Bhadra issue of Bangadarshan. In that poem he didnot show faithfulness to the government. For all these reasons they were displeased with him. Yesterday we got a sign of that. On all a sudden a man came to our place, apparent intention of him was to inspect the school.  Your father felt some doubt about the man. He, at first, introduced him with the teachers and left the place in a hurry. But the man did not relieve him so easily.He began to search this and that and asked the students whether they undergo training of bamboo-sticks or sword or gun etc. We had a Volunteer Band amongst the students now a days.12/14 students are practicing, every day, different difficult training. They are instructed by blowing bugle. On hearing the sound of the bugle, the doubt of the man became sound. At last he went to inspect nook and corner, from Laboratory to kitchen  searching everthing. After the lunch he interrogated your father for long time on different issues. He pretended to show that he is eager to establish a school of this type and asked to be frank to inform him in details about the school. Ultimnately your father told him that you may please see all the rooms but you will not be able to find anything which you want to see. We donot prepare bombs like things. Then he went away and did not stay in Santiniketan even on repeated requests.
Another person came , and halted for 2/3 days."
Rabindranath  wrote Rathindra to make Nagendranath convince to take up agricultural Science instead of Ceramic. "Try your best so that Nagendra become stout and bold like a man. I find him  shading tears while he writes letter to his brother. That was  typical of the members of Brhmo Samaj. They think that this is the way how one can show his tenderness. But they do not know that this is the sign of disgrace to a maleperson."

Rathindranath and Santiniketan (contd-43)

Rabindranath decided to send Rathindranath to America for getting him trained in Agricultural Science. He surely had started communication earlier with Urbano Agricultural College. The expenses for purchasing some emergency materials for going to America was found in the official cash book dated 25 Feb 1906. The farewell of Rathindranath and Santosh Chandra  was arranged on 12 March at Santiniketan. They had some acquittance with Anushilan Samity after joining in the Movement for withdrawal of the order of  "Division of Bengal". Jibantara Halder wrote ;
"After few days RathinThakur, Nagen Ganguli and Santosh Majumdar started for America for getting themselves trained for "Introduction of National Education" in our country." A meeting was arranged at the central office (49 Corrnwallis Street) for bidding the farewell. Rabindranath was present on the occasion, delivered his welcoming address and took dinner with the members of the Samity."The autobiographer of Rabndranth wrote that Rathindranath and Santosh Chandra started for America via Japan in a steamer on 3rd April 1906.
Surendranath took the charge of Zamindary after the death of Maharshi Devendranath. He changed some duties of the office clerks.

SANTOSH PATHSALA Santosh Pathsala was established in 1988. This Kindergarten School is in the memory of one of the earliest students of Tagore's asrama and later, staff of Visva-Bharati, Santosh Chandra Majumdar. This school is modeled on the lines of Mrinalini Ananda Pathsala. Here children are provided an exposure to the work of schools and learning in the open. Most children are first generation learners and the years spent here make for a smooth transition to main stream high school education. The children move on to Siksha-Satra after successful completion of two years. Rathindranath and Santosh Chandra Majumdar started for Japan on 3rd April and on 22 April Santosh Chandra wrote Rabindranath, " We reached Hong Kong on day before yesturday. We went for visiting Canton and could not find time for writing you." He wrote a letter to Mira Devi on reaching Tokyo on 18 May describing the Joyful mood of the Japanese after their victory against Russia. Rathindranath wrote a similar description in his "Pitri-Smriti". Here he also described how he has passed in the examination of his eye sight and boarde the ship in a third clss seat for America. But he did not describe how they have reached Urbano through  Sanfransisco being affected by earthquake. But he described that it was winter when they have reached through frost-wave. An article, titled "Student life in America", was published in "The Bengalee" on 2 Jan 1907 by a writer from Ilionois, may be, it was Rathindranath.

Rathindranath and Santiniketan (contd-43)

At the advice of Rabindranath a Bandemataram Community was formed during Swdeshi Movement (1905) with the following members,

President:  Surendranath Bandyopadhyay (1848-1925),

Vice-Presidents; 1. Rabindranath, 2. Chittaranjan Das, 3. Kumar Sarat Chandra Roy,

 Treasurer: Amritalal Mitra, Joint-Secretaries; Nanda Kishore Mitra, and Hemendraprasad Ghosh,

 They went out door to door for mass collection singing Rabinath's songs,

1. Amra pathe pathe jabo sare sare,

2. Tomar nam geye phiriba dware dware etc.

Rathindranath wrote, "we also formed a "Baitalik Dal" at Santiniketan under the leadership of Dinendranath and went out singing collecting money for "National Fund".  It was a great pleasure to us when we saw that the Beetle-shop owner, hawkers etc were donating paisa in our busket.  Organisations of this type were formed at different places of Bengal. 

In Bhadra -Aswin issue of "Bhandar" (2nd Volume)was published on 27th oct (10 Kartick). In this issue one essay and three songs of Rabindranath were published.

"Rakhi sangeet"

1. Banglar mati bangalar jal....,

2. Onder bandan jatai sakta habe...,

3. Bidhir Bandan Katbe.....

On the of Rakhi bandan, the lady get from bed, early in the morning. The city was calm and quite, breeze has not blown, Morning softness was prevailing in the sky, the impending light was waiting for its brightness in the dark.After a minute fraction of time the whole world would be awakened to spell it with tremendous enlightenment........"