Rabindranath in Holland (contd-3) -1920

On 27th Rabindranath again delivered a lecture in Amsterdam University on " Ideal of Education" and on 28th "The message of the Forest" in Yutrect University. Pearson wrote to Andrews;
" As in the case of Japan the ordinary people was standing on the courtyard of the University for long time to look at Rabindranath"
 Rathindranath mentioned a special occasion happened on that day. At the end of the lecture a member of the Reception Committee handed over a packet to Rabindranath given by a lady as gift to him. On openning the packet a diamond ring and a golden rocket  was found. In the locket there is a picture of a young man and two children." Rabindranath was moved with this incident and tried to find out the identity of the gentlelady. But nothing could be known other than the lady was an Hungarian refugee who did not like to be disclosed.
On 29th Sept Rabindranath visted the International school for Philosophy in Amersfoort and delivered a lecture on " Some village Mystics of Bengal"
Rabindranath's visit to Germany being postponed Mrs Helene Meyer Frank [ 1873-1946] and hr husband Heinrich Meyer- Benfey [1869-1945] came from Hamburg of germany to see Rabindranath on 29th Sept to Huegene. Rabindranath wrote a letter on 4th Oct which related the passion expressed in his letter;
" I want to write you a few lines thanking you for all you have given us daring those blessed hours we were allowed to sit by your side and listen to you. When we came to Holland, we should never have hoped that you would give us so much of your valuable time ...Now that I look back on those days in Holland, all seems a dream to me; the night of our arrival, when Mr. Pearson told us that we were to see you that very night, while we had never expected as it was so late , - the drive through the beautiful moonlight landscape, when I felt as if I were carried through Fairy Land, while my heart was beating wildly between joyful expectation and dread, - the moment when Mrs Van Eeghen led us into the room and I did see you at lastand felt so overpowered with your presence and my own unworthyness that I could not say a word. My soul bent towards you, all the time  Iwas near you , like a thirsty flower, I had nothing to offer, but my open heart."
After a few days of coming from Holland, husband of Helen Heinrich wrote an article in "Hamburger Nachrichten" titled " Bet Rabindranath Taogre" [with Rabindranath Tagore].
On 30th Sept, Rabindranath left Huizen and started for The Hague. Before leaving he read from his writings in Theosophical Society Hall. Mr Hainrich and Helen  also accompanied him. In the evening he read ' The meaning of the East and West' in the same hall.
Rabindranath became the guest of Dr.J.J. Van Der Leeuw who wrote on the he came to Amsterdam a 20 lines poetry The One Song To dr. Rabindranath Tagore"
In Rotterdam Rabindranath was given the heighest honour of allowing him, being a non-Christian, to read his essay " the meeting of the East and West" in the Church.  
By selling tickets in Holland the money accumulated after expenses was handed over to Rabindranath amounting to 3623.50 Frank.

Rabindranath in Holland (contd-2) - 1920

On 21st Sept. Pearson reached Amsterdom with Sultan Singh of Delhi. Rathindranath went to visit with his party in Amsterdam to see the Gallery of pictures, accurium etc keeping his father to take rest.
On and from 23rd Sept Rabindranath started delivering his lecture in Holland.On this morning he went to Colonial Institute of Amsterdam and was introduced with the director and Prof Van Eerde,who showed him the ruins of the temple of Java, and life style of the public, sample of art-sculpture and works of light and shed and said that he would send the publications of Java and Bali to Viswa Bharati. In the evening he read the essay on
 " Some Village Mystics of Bengal"  in the "Church Of the Christians". About 1500 Theosophists and religious persons attentively listened his lecture. Rathindranath thought that though all of them knew English still they might not follow some of the fine twists of Rabindranath .Moreover Rabindranath read it very fast. After the lecture Rabindranath was introduced with some important persons of the locality. They returned  their home at about mid-night.
On 24th Sept Rabindranath was introduced with Mr. Moojen who was given the charge of discovering the ruins of the temples of Java and Bali. 
Rabindranath read the essay " The meeting of the East and West" in the evening in the University of Amsterdam.
On that day he read the essay "Village Mystics of Bengal' in Theosophical Society.
University of Leiden is one of the important university where there is a dept. of oriental studies. Rabindranath was greeted by  Prof of Arbi, J S Hurgronje and prof of the Dept of Sanskrit Dr.J.Ph. Vogel. On seeing all these persons Rabindranath said to Bidhushekhar Sashtri, ' "the work of Viswa Bharati is going on  both sides of the ocean.
     

Rabindranath in Holland (contd-1)-1920

(In 1925 the NV Nederlandsche Thermochemische Fabrieken (NTF) was founded by José Vigeveno, M. Kan and Karel Mozes. One year later the first factory started in the village Sumar in Friesland. It was the first factory in the Netherlands that could destroy dead bodies. Nowadays the name of the business is Rendac. In the village Sumar a street is named after the founder of the factory: José Vigevenoweg.)
On 20thy Sept,1920, Jose Vigeveno and some other members of the Reception Committee came to Rabindranath to fix up his programme.  Dr. Eeden was also present there. He had some reservation in fixing up programme so early, specially to the proposal to deliver the lecture at Amersfoort International Schoolof Philosophy. But the objection was not granted. His grievance was expressed on the following day in a letter;
" You said you didnot want to get into whirlpoolof public engagements", And now you plunged in headlong and my endeavour to help you failed pitifully...Mr. Vigeveno is a very practical and well-meaning  manbut he is a Jew with the usual Jewish characteristics ...He will be parading with you for a fortnight and have the finest time of his life. But this is not what humanity wants.. your program will leave you in no time for quiet and profound conversation with those persons who can further the great cause of humanity."
Prasanta Kumar Paul, writer of Rabi-jibani,said that  it was found in sevetal times within and outside India   the desire to extend influence over Rabindranath and those who were deprived of doing so got annoyed.  
After being fixed the programme Rabindranath went with Dr. Eeden to his residence at Bussum. Other than  Dr.Eeden Rabindranth was introduced with two other poets.One, Henri Borel, and the other, Raden Mas Noto Suroto. Borel translated two dramas of Rabindranath, The King of the Dark Chamber [1914] and The Post Office [1916]  in Dutch. The second one became very much popular in Holland.

The Javanese poet Noto Suroto , in his early life was influenced by Rabindranath and imitated his prosody to write verses in prose form.He published two books on Rabindranath from his press at Hague. He was so fond of Rabindranath that he gave the name of his eldest son after the name of Rabindranarth as Rawindra noto Suroto. One day Rabindranath asked him to bring his son. One day he brought his son though he was a bit afraid of a person having long beard. Rabindranath bending him picked up the boy . " Less than three minutes later, Rawindra was sitting on Tagore's knee, two human beings were contemplating each other , and although the child could not understand the other's languaqge, he was stroking the silvery beard of the poet and sage from India." 

Rabindranath in Holland-1920

Rabindranath had an intention to go to Germany but for  want of time he could not procure ticket to go there. He took the train for Amsterdom, kingdom of Holland at 10.40 pm. A committee was formed with  Jose Vigeveno as its working secretary to accord proper welcome to Rabindranath. Jose Vigeveno informed that houses in different cities had been already resrved for his accommodation and he himself will be present in the border cities so that they could be protected from the customs checking  He kept his word and in the station Roosendaal they were carrying huge quantity of fruits and sweets but were not disturbed by them and they could take during their lunch those with great satisfaction.
The train reached Amsterdam at 1.30 am. There was no crowd since no announcement of his arrival was made earlier.
Dr. Fredrik Van Eeden was present to welcome him but his face seemed to be not satisfied to the  management body, still he did not put any obstruction. After coming outside the station they travelled through a distance of 15 miles and came to a palace like beautiful building, De Duinen, near the sea shore. The building owned by E.h.van Eeghen and Mary van Eeghen  -Boisevain couple. They became their guest.  The couple know English well and were cordial. Rathindranath wrote in his diary;
" There was no effusiveness as in the French, neither pride of wealth as in the Americans, but a quite dignity befitting a noble house dating back to an old ancestry and yet with warmth not easily met with in Englih houses."

Mrs Valborg Isaachsen and her husband came from Norway to meet Rabindrantah.Mrs Isaachsen was a Dutch and her husband was a Norwaygian and Minister. Rabindranath yet to receive his Nobel prize when she wrote him on 7th Sept 1913, addressing him "dear friend" and sent the letter to him via her friend Van Eeghen that she read his Gitanjali and made it her companion and expect that she would meet him in Holland. Rabindranath replied both the letters.Having come to know that he was coming in Holland Mrs Isaachsen invited him to her house and since her invitation  was cancelled she came to see him in Holland.Her desire was fulfilled after seven years. She played attentively and with emotion the piano to make them pleased. Rabindranth too sung some of his songs, knowing that she loves Indian music.        

Rabindranath in Paris (contd-3)-1920

An wellknown French philosopher, Henri Bergson (1859-1941) was a professor of Philosophy in College de France. Having come to know that Rabindranath wanted to talk to him, Madam Kahn, one day, invited him. Bergson came to see Rabindranath on 24th Aug after they had returned visiting the battle field.

Henri-Louis Bergson (French pronunciation: [bɛʁksɔn] 18 October 1859 – 4 January 1941) was a major French philosopher, influential especially in the first half of the 20th century. Bergson convinced many thinkers that immediate experience and intuition are more significant than rationalism and science for understanding reality.

He was awarded the 1927 Nobel Prize in Literature "in recognition of his rich and vitalizing ideas and the brilliant skill with which they have been presented".
He was a short heighted small strature genteman His head is a bit bigger in comparison with his body with long straight nose and penetrating eyes. His mother was a resident of Scotland and could speak English well which was help ful to Rabindranath for their interaction.Sudir Rudra was present during their discussion and described the discussion to Andrews who in his turn published it in Modern Review on Jan 1921 under the title " The Arch from East to West". Both of them had some points of difference.

Rabindranath stayed there from 8th to 25th of Aug and then went to the south of France to the seashore  near the Alps, part of Cap Martin and Alps Mritime where Kahn had a palacious building, Ville Dunure.
Afoming back to Paris again Rabindranath stayed there upto 28th Sept in Autour du Monde.and met with two famous persons, Mon Auber on 14th Sept and on 16th Sept a female poet Contesse de Noailles.   

(video) Rabindranath in France (contd-2)-1920

On 21st Aug in the afternoon, Mrs Kahn fetched all of them to the Rheims city near Paris. The devastation caused by the war was visible from a long distance and after entering the city they found the debris of the city due to the war.(1918). Now there were only some dilapidated house and lean and thin stray dogs. In the night they took their accommodation in Grand Hotel there. The houses that were still existing, this one of them. On the next day they went to the village after seeing the condition of the Cathedral Church. Miles after miles there was no habitation - only trenches and fencing with barbed wires here and there. They came back in the night totally exhausted, phisically and mentally so that they could not fall asleep.

After a few days Rabindranath wrote to andrews in a memoires ;

" It was a most saddening sight. Some of the terrible damages deliberately done, not for any necessities of war but to cripple France for ever. , were so savage that their memory can never be effaced.For it will take a trememdous effort and also an immense lapse of time to make to make them things of the past.       

When the spiritual idea is lost when the human relationship is completely broken up, then individual freed from that greative bond of wholeness find a fearful joy in destructiveness." 

Rabindranath in France (contd-1)- 1920.

Sylvain Lévi (March 28, 1863 – October 30, 1935) was an orientalist and indologist. Born in Paris on March 28, 1863, his book Théâtre Indien is an important work on the subject. Lévi also conducted some of the earliest analysis of Tokharian fragments discovered in Western China.

He used to come to Rabindranath twice in a week.He was simple, approachable and open hear ted gentleman. He proposed to Rabindranath to deliver a lecture in Sarbon University when he would come back again to france after visiting Holland.Rabindranath requested him to make an arrangement so that India and France could open an avenue for interchange between the two countries. The Indians had their access to Western culture through the English language - they knowledge in European couture is superficial.. 

The culture of Europe, too, had become one-sided, they had little knowledge of  Eastern Culture. Moreover, they had lost the centre of gravity by receding  from Christianity.Under these  circumstances if they could not get  access to eastern ideals and religious wisdom, the result might be disastrous. for this reason we must exchange our intellects.

Sylvain Levi also invited Rabindranath to visit his place of residence. Rathindranath said The environment where Mr Levi stayed was not attractive but after getting into his flat one must forget things outside his flat and the motherly behaviour of Madam Levi made the flat homely to them. Rabindranath invited Levi to become a guest lecturer to Viswa Bharati which he accepted and he became the first guest lecturer of Viswa Bharati.

Rabindranath wrote to Andrews;

" He is a great scholar as you know, but his heart is larger even than his intellect and his learning. his philosophy has not been able to wither his soul. His mind has the translucent implicity of greatness and his heart  is overflowing with trustful generosity which will never acknowledge disillusionment. His students come to love the subject he teaches them because they love him.

Just two days since they had come to Paris Prof, Le Brun with his wife came to see Rabindranath. He has published many articles on the life and works of Rabindranath Tagore in La Connaissance journal. he also translated The Gardener and the Crescent Moon  in French. His wife was her studemt and of about half of his age but both of them were fond of works of Rabindranath. Brun had published this meeting with Rabindranth in the above journal.

One day  wife of  Mr.Albert Kahn proposed them to visit the battlefield of Rheims destroyed in the last WW I and he actually brought them to Rheims on 21 Aug.  They saw the devastation of the city and its surrounding village. (contd next page)      

Rabindranath in France -1920

On 6th Aug,1920, Rabindranath started for Paris.Some ex-students of Bolpore school namely Himangsu Roy,Tapan Mohan Chattopadhyay, Nalini Gupta helped them to avail of the train in Victoia station and Miss Kling Hofferand Milburn was present in the station to see him off.In an inclement weather they crossed the English channel and reached Paris on 6th aug in the evening.
Sudhir Kumar Rudra, son of the principal of St. Stephen College Sushil Kumar Rudra, was present at Paris.He made arrangements for their accommodation in Rue Cambon, a metropolitan Hotel. Rabindranath became pleased for a chnge of weather though the hotel was not so good.

After many attempts a nice guest house Autour du Monde, situated in 9 Quai du Quatre Septembre, BoulogueSur Seine,  was made available to them at the suburban of Paris and he became guest of a rich Jewish Albert Kahn , the owner of the guest house.  Mr. Chatterjee of YMCA made an arrangements for them a show in a grand opera, Foust in the evening.The sight of the place was very beautiful. Being pleased Rabindranath said that after leaving his country he was placed in a homely place.

Andre Karpeles ( 1885-1956) and Suzanne Karpeles was introduced earlier with Tagore family when they had come to India.Having known the arrival of Rabindranath Tagore both of them used to come to Rabindranath everyday.The elder onr Andre had drawn of Rabindranath and the younger one was translating the poems of Rabindranath from Lipika. Rabindranath was going to recite the poems in English and she was translating them instantaneously in French.
In their house Rabindranath and others met with Prof. Golobew and Fino and previously known Professor of Harvard University Prof James Woods and his wife .
On being invited Rabindranath and his party went to see the Golobew Musee Guimet on 14th Aug.Golobew showed them the sample collected from East Indian Statues in slides.and wanted to present some of the copies of these slides to Ashram in Santiniketan.
They also met there Miss Comptesse de Brimontwho was the the 2nd female modern poet among the female poets of France. She invited them in a tea party.

They got the first hand information about the then painters of France with the help of Andre. Their pictures  did not get any place in the Govt. sponsored Museum at that time. The artists  were Suzzanne, Manne, Renowa, Gongo, Van Gogh, Rande. Andre took them to Place de Madeleine, a shop of Pictures to show them some pictures of those artists. Rathindranath wrote ,' the effect on us was overwhelming. Van Gogh specially impressed me.       

Rabindranath in England 4th time (contd-12) -1920

Before departing from England Rabindranath attended two programmes. On 28 July, he went to Wigmore Hall where five unpublished poetries of Rabindranath in dramatic form were staged by Union of East and West. . Rabindranath himself conducted the rehearsal of this performance. Pratima Devi and Rathindranath took the charge of dressing and painting the artists. There was no background scenery . Only a blue screen was hung up at the back of the stage. there were few tubs of flowers and two spot lights, there was no foot light. Sarojini Naidu narrated in nutshell of the theme of the poetry before staging it; rathindranath commented in his diary, "She spoke well, but her mannerism was unbearable . Her notions were vulgar beyond words.Before opening the screen Rabindranath recited the poem,"Janagana mana adhinayaka "
On 29th July at 8.15 pm Rabindranath read an essay " Some songs of the village Mystics in Bengal. Rathindranath wrote in his diary that there were heavy demands of tickets.

Wilfred Edward Salter Owen MC (18 March 1893 – 4 November 1918) was an English poet and soldier, one of the leading poets of the First World War. His shocking, realistic war poetry on the horrors of trenches and gas warfare was heavily influenced by his friend Siegfried Sassoon and stood in stark contrast to both the public perception of war at the time, and to the confidently patriotic verse written earlier by war poets such as Rupert Brooke. Among his best-known works — most of which were published posthumously — are "Dulce et Decorum Est", "Insensibility", "Anthem for Doomed Youth", "Futility" and "Strange Meeting". 
One of the anti-war poet of England Wilfred Owen was died one week before the war ended.His Mother Susan wrote to Rabindranath a letter on 1 Aug, 1920;
"Mahim"
Moukendor Rd
Shrewsbury
August 1, 1920.
Dear Sir Rabindranath,
I have been trying to find courage to write to you ever since I heard that you were in London - perhaps now you have left this country  - but the desire to tell you something is finding its way into this letter today.The letter may never reach you, for, I donot know how to address it. tho' I feel sure your name upon the envelope will be sufficient .It is nearly two years ago, that my dear eldest on, went out to the war for the last time and the day he said goodbye to mr -- we were looking together across the sun-glorified sea looking towards France, with breaking hearts -- when he, my poet son, said those wonderful words of yours -- beginning at " When i go from hence let this be my parting word". And when his pocket book came back to me -- I find these words written in his dear writing - with your name beneath Would it be asking too much of you, to tell me what book I should find the whole poem in?

(Susan Owen)
My precious boy was killed one week before the awful fighting was over - the news came to us , 0n Armistice day. A small book of my Son's war poems will be published very soon [ Anthem for doomed youth, 1921] - his heart was torn with sorrow- - at the suffering he saw "out there' and the callousness of the majority at home - the futility of war- he speaks not of his own sufferings but anyone  who loved him can tell from his poems, what he had passed through, to be able to write as he did - he was only 25. Wilfred loved all that was beautiful; his life was beautiful, and of great influence for good. Our God knew but when He took him "hence " - and I must not murmur for I know He is a God of Love and  would have answered my constant prayers - if to come back to me., would have been "best" . So I bow my head and go softly all my days till we meet again as w shall do in the Land our Saviour went to "prepare" for us. Forgive this longer letter than i intended to write when I began. I should like you to read my son's little book - if you will do us the honour [ Chatto and Windus are bringing it out in the autumn], if i may, I should be proud to send you a copy? With great respect and admiration
from the Mother
of Wilfred Owen Susan Owen
I have been reading lately the wonder experiences of Sadhu sundar Singh - he mentions you as a friend.
Rabindranath read the letter and replied immediately.   

Rabindranath in England 4th time (contd-11) -1920

Rabindranath commented critically on the debate of Dyer activities in India in the letter written to Andrews on 22 July 1920;
" The result of the Dyer debates in both houses of Parliament makes painfully evident the attitude of mind of the ruling class of this country towards India. It shows that no outrage, however monstrous, committed  against us by agents of their Govt., can arouse feelings of indignation in the hearts of those from whom our governors are chosen. The unashamed condo nation of brutality expressed in thei speeches and echoed in their news papers is ugly in its frightfulness ....I feel that our appeal to your higher nature will meet with less and less response every day. I only hope that our country men will not loss heart at this, but employ all their energies in the service of their country in a spirit of indomitable courage and determination. The late events have conclusively proved that our true slvation lies in our own hand; that a nation's greatness can never find its foundation in half hearted concessions of contemptuous niggardliness .... the one path to it is the difficult path of suffering and self-sacrifice.All great boons only come to us through the power of the immortalspirit we have within us and that spirit only proves itself by its defiance of  
danger and loss."
On 20th july Rabindranath went to the flat of Sir Horace Plunket to discuss about co-operative. He invite Rabindranath to come to see his place at Ireland.
Rabindranath informed Yeats in reply to an invitation that it would not be possible for him to meet him this timne as he would going to visit diffrent countries of Europe.He wrote to Yeats on 19Th July;
"My time for leaving England is near and I have to be very busy these last few days before I start. This makes it impossible for me to avail your kind i vitation.  However, I am sending by mail a piece of Indian Silk to you as my gift of homage to your wife.'
This letter showed the mental distance that had been developed . Even  he did not congratulate Yeats on his winning of Nobel prize in 1925.The next letter he wrote to Yeats dated 4th Oct 1931.
He wrote to Fredrik Van Eeden ;
"I hope to get in touch with you as soon as i arrive in Holland. I shall go there from denmark which I intend to visit after I have been to Sweden and Norway.
I am interested in my educational experiments which are being carried on in Holland, and also in my attempts which are being made to introduce the co-operative movement amongst the peasants. I also hope to hear some account of Java and Bali which islands I am intending to visit on my back to India."
Rabindranath had gone to Holland but the other programme was cancelled due to some wrong guidance of Miss Charlotte Pearson, a German spy.           .       

Rabindranath in England 4th time (contd-10) -1920

Lady Courtney invited Rabindranath, Editior of Contemporary Review George Peabody Gooch [1873-1947], a famous workers leader Sydney James Webb [1859-1947], and his wife Febian Workers Leader Martha Beatrice Webb [1858-1943], in a Lunch on 15th July.
On 19th July, a discussion was held in House of Lords on Amritsar Massacre.  in almost all the lectures the behavior of Dyer towards the Indians was supported which obviously expressed the attitude of the British administration. But a letter was published in The Modern Review [Sep/348] written by Rabindranath and non-resident Indians in England;
" We, the undersigned, approach you, not as the representatives of any political pary in India but as those who feel anxious to establish a bond of humanity between our people and yours founded upon mutual respect. We believe that unless there is some great moral principle to guide our political relationship no mere adjustment of the machine of administration from outside wil give us anything of which either of us can be proud.Therefore what we desire is to see the best  ideal of the British people - their love of freedom and fairplay - finding full access to their Govt. of India, making it natural for the Indians to offer to it their spontaneous co-operation. It is needless to say that any act on the part of our rulers in India or utterance of the membe of Parliament in this country which supports the doctrine that India is held by the force of arms makes our people painfully conscious of the indignity of their position in the British Empire.We strongly believe that such a state of things is demoralizing, to say the best, both for the Governors and the governed. We are deeply thankful to those farsighted statesman  in this country who tried to give expression to the moral judgement of the best nature of your people in the late debates in  Parliament in connection with the unfortunate incidents in the Punjab. But we are certain on the other hand that the language and the attitude of a considerable number of members of both the House s as well as the result of the debate in the House of Lords, will cause a bitter feeling of disappointment al over India.We do not believe that repressive measures, however ruthless, can ever save the Empire from the mischief born of an openly defiant resentment or feeling of desperation driven into the heart of the people. This is our only excuse for  taking this opportunity of sending to you this letter earnestly   urging you to take steps to allay the spirit of mutual distrust perilously growing stronger everyday. In this critical time the Indian Government needs at its helm a statesman who has a pesonality great in political wisdom and an exalted sense of righteousness. and the name which immediately occurs to us in this connection is that of the Secretary of State for India. Mr.Montagu, who has earned the best claim to our  gratitude and affection at a time of great crsis, and whosee service to his motherland will, we are sure, be recognized in the history of the British Empire."
But This letter of Rabindranath was not appreciated by some of the then Indian leaders.
                  

Rabindranath in England 4th time (contd-9) -1920

Prof. and Mrs. Hare Leonard invited Rabindranath to come to Bristol and spend  a week there. In respose to the invitation Rabindranath went with Pratima Devi and Pearson to Bristol. Some days ago they had come to Santiniketan.. The girls of the Clifton Boarding School staged the drama 'The King of the dark Chamber" in presence of Rabindranath. Pearson sent a description of this drama to Andrews in  Santiniketan for publishing and this was published in the Aswin issue of Santiniketan.. On that day Rabindranath went to visit the burial of Ram Mohan Roy. In the Arno's Vale Cemetery Prtima devi, Pearson, Kiron sankar Roy, and Kedar Nath Dsgupta signed the visitor's book but Rabindranath did not sign in it. On this occasion Rabindranath was introduced with Prof. Lloyed Morgan, Arnold Thomas to whom he explained his ideals of education. Having visited the Girl School Rabindranath made arrangements for admission of Manju, daughter of Surendranath, in that school. Mrs Leonards resided very near to the School and she was given the charge of her local guardian. 

They came back on the next day to London. They were invited to a dinner party in Chelsea, London, in the house of Miss Coleman, a friend of  Miss Bower, a sculptor. Miss Bower had made a beautiful sculpture of  Manju. She was making arrangement of making  a sculpture of Rabindranath. Pearson wrote to Andrews ;

" Rabindranath was in a very juvenile mood. and  then sang some of his songs most beautifully and brought back the whole feeling of Santiniketan so that I began to feel homesick.

In the next morning one sister of Andrews came to see Rabindranath. Pearson wrote, " it was beautiful to hear the way in which gurudev spoke to her about you and all your devotion to himself and to the School, as well as to humanity."

Rabindranath, too, wrote to him  the same words . He wrote;

" When I am weary and feel a longing to back to my garden of prickly shrubs, it gives me strength to think that the migratory flock of my thoughts have found their nests in hese shores, and with genuine love and wonder these enormously busy people have listened to a voice from the distant East....."       

.  

Rabindranath in England 4th time (contd-8) - 1920

On 9th July rabindranath and Others were invited in a lunch in the house of Rothenstein. Where Dilip Kumar Roy [1897-1980], the son of the dramatist Dwijendra Lal Roy, was present and sung some indian songs.One Hungarian violin player young lady was moved at his songs but excepting Yeats very few listened to his songs.

This was the first time that Yeats and Rabindranath were meeting each other.

On 8th June British Parliament had the debate on General Dyer's attitude in Amritsar where Bomanjee was present He said , the fall of the Government was impending on that moment. Edwin Samuel Mantagu took a bold stand in the Parliament supporting the people of India for which he was congratulated by Rabindranath . Rathindranath wrote in his diary; " Father wrote him [Montagu] a few lines of congratulations.

Rabindranath was invited by Pond again to come to America. He was also invited to go to Holland. As per rule in vogue og Swidish Academy Rabindranath being a Nobel Laureate had to deliver a lecture . The International School for Philosophy of Amersfroot requested him to come . At the same time he was invited by London representative I.I.Brants from The Hague  of the Armsterdom Handelsblad. Many also send  invitation letter and a person named Jose Vigeveno was coming London very soon to talk to Rabindranath.    

Rabindranath wrote to his friend Fredrik van Eeden on 12 July,1920;

"I am looking forward to seeing you during my visit to your countryand will let you know later on when I expect to arrive."

But Brants informed him that it would be better if you come some times in the month of Sept instead of July Aug. He accepted this suggestion.

Rabindranath in England 4th time (contd-7) - 1920

On 24th June, at the initiative of Kedar Nath Dasgupta Union of East and West Society offered a felicitation paper to Rabindranath which was printed on a silk cloth. This paper was now kept in Rabindra Bhavan, Santiniketan.The meeting was presided by the ex-under secretary of Mantagu Charles Robert who in his address said that the message of Rabindranath, though meant for Inia, it was equally accepted by the whole world. At the rnd of he meeting Miss Tubbs sung four poems in lyric form with the tune of famous musician Ronald Len.
 The respectable actress Sybil Thomdike and Lawrence Binyon recited own writte poems written on this occasion. Rathindranath said ,'Such a beautiful voice ! we were charmed by her elocation."

Rabindranath spoke high of them. Rathindranath wrote, " Father replied with a brief speech - spoken effectively. It was greatly appreciated. Ernest Rhys told me on coming out that it was by far the best thing of the evening.  

On 25th June the Indian Students arranged a meeting in Shakespeare's Hut where Rabindranath read the essay, " The Centre of Indian Culture". The meeting was presided by Herbert Fisher [1865-1940]. The attendance in the meeting was good and they listened the essay attentively. Fisher in his speech said, " It was a very intellectual treat."

Rabindranath in England 4th time (contd-6) - 1920

(Robert Seymour Bridges, OM, (23 October 1844 – 21 April 1930) was a British poet, and poet laureate from 1913 to 1930)
On 19th June,1920 Rabindranath Started for Oxford with Kedar Nath Dasgupta by train at 1.30 pm.Pearson went there 3 days earlier. In the Station He, Atul Goswami and some students reading in U.K. greeted him.Kedarnath came back to London on the very night and informed Rathindra that his father was shocked at Robert Bridges for his behavior and left Oxford without delivering his lecture.On being requested by Students Bridges refused to Preside over the meeting which he informed  to Rabindanath on 15th June but that letter did not reach Rabindanath before his departure to Oxford.Bridges wrote;
" I am delighted to hear that you are really in England again, and  am sorry that I do not feel able to accept the invitation , which I have just received, to speak at the  meeting in Oxford on Friday[?].
I am writing because I wish very much to see you and talk over matters, especially as I never sent any answer to your several communications since the late disturbances in India. I began a long letter but I feared that you might misunderstand it even more than you could misinterpret my silence. And in England we could not at first rely on the press report of events."
On next day Rabindanath read the essay " Thr message of the Forest " before the students of India and England.  The attendance was good though the students had other business.
Rabindranth was first introduced to Austrian Art-expert Dr. Stella Kramrish [1895-1993]. Rabindranath listened  lecture of Stella and invited him to join Viswa Bharati.
On 20th June Rabindranath met in a lunch with Col. Laurence.
After a few days on 1st July, Bridges sent a letter apologizing to Rabindranath for not being able to meet him in Oxford.
He came back to London on 21st June and went to Cambridge with Pearson. Rathindranath and Pratima had joined a tea-party with Lady Roberts at her house and went to Cambridge to meet his father. Prof. Anderson Greeted them . They got in the hotel Blue Boar. This was their last meeting because Anderson died on 24th Oct, 1920.Though he had some communication with Rabindranath till 3rd Sep,1920 when he wrote his last letter to Rabindranath.
Rabindra Nath took his lunch with Prof. Lowes Dickinson who wrote a letter to Rabindranath on 19th June addressing him "Sir", the reason for which was mentioned in the letter. " I call you so because I understand that you have not yet succeeded in getting relieved of your unwelcome title ! [Arabinda Mohan] Bose has told me that you are in England and I hope very much I may have the pleasure of meeting you. "
Dickinson requested Rabindranath to publish  best books Indian religion made for the readers of UK. On being requested by Dickinson to publish stories of Upanishad, Rathindranath replied ;
" Father said, he has translated most of the Upanishads - one of the best- but he has not published it." Dickinson urged him to do so.
On 22nd June Rabindranath came back to London with his family.

Rabindranath in England 4th time (contd-5) - 1920

Nicholas Roerich, also known as Nikolai Konstantinovich Rerikh (Russian: Никола́й Константи́нович Рéрих; October 9 [O.S. September 27] 1874 – December 13, 1947), was a Russian mystic, painter, philosopher, scientist, writer, traveler, and public figure. A prolific artist, he created thousands of paintings (many of them are exhibited in well-known museums of the world) and about 30 literary works. Roerich was an author and initiator of an international pact for the protection of artistic and academic institutions and historical sites (Roerich's Pact) and a founder of an international movement for the defence of culture. Roerich earned several nominations for the Nobel Prize.
On 17th June after dinner, Suniti Kumar Chattopadhyay fetched Nicholai rerickh and his two sons to Rabindranath to meet him and he wrote;
" The famous Russian artist Nicholai Rerick was passing a life of exportation in England. He was against the rule of Bolsheviks for which he was exiled. He had to leave his magnificient building,  his collected antiques, collected paintings,and all his properties and live outside his own country. I was a class mate of his elder son in the "School of Oriental Studies" . .....he offered a prsentation of his own paintings and read before him the poem translated by him in Russia......."
One day rabindranath went to his residence.
On 18th June, the poet, dramatist and expert in drama Robert C. Trevelyan [1872-1951] came to meet Rabindranath. During day time Rabindranath had a lunch in Mahutton Restaurant with Mr.Milburn, Rothenstein, Arnest Ridge, and his friend Miss Sawyer. Mr Milburn adviced Rabindranath to write an essay addressing the British people on the State of things of Amritsar Massacre which he will read in Young Unionist Party and a print out of that lecture might be distributed to public. He may see the political leaders  lke Lord Robert Cycil, Mrs. Drmsty, Loyed George. If these programme be taken prior to the session of discussion of the Report of Hunter Commission. it will have far reaching consequences. It was settled that after coming back from Oxford he will meet these persons.
In the evening Union of East and West gave a tea party in honour of Rabindranath Tagore.  

Rabindranath in England 4th time (contd-4) - 1920

In the evening  of 15th June,1920, the students residing in YMCA,  going back to India had thrown a dinner in the honour of Rabindranath Tagore. Gurudev made a beautiful speech full of the spirit of love and forgiveness, which quite evidently moves those there very much indeed..
Pearson wrote Andrews that one day Rothenstein invited many persons in a Dinner Party including Rabindranath in the house of Rothenstein where they met W.H.Hudson.

William Henry Hudson (4 August 1841 – 18 August 1922) was an author, naturalist, and ornithologist.
Pearson added, " How I wish you had been here after breakfast this morning and has heard him talking about " Woman" in his racy immitable way, saying what empty-headed creatures they are and how they are merely dressed up dolls.This was mainly for the deification of Pratima and Manju."
On 15th june in the morning Rabindranath met Thomas edward Lawrence
( 1888-1935), famous in the first World War and is known as " Lawrence of Arabia". Rathindranath wrote in his diary the interaction of Rabindranath with him;
" My father took him upto his choice.Lawrence said that due to the betrayal of British Government he was feeling ashamed to go to Arab.As a result he could not keep his word to the Arab - and now how he can goto Arab this time.Father told him that the authority of Western Countries were getting more rude these days. This is not same in the case of Indians.The only alternative is to give a blow with double the speed the British does. By this way only they can regain their consciousness. They took him as friend who possesses equal strength as they do."
On 17 June, rabimndranath met with Mantagu and lord Sinha and expressed his desire to go to Germany. Many people invited him to go there though the visit will be non-political one.Mantagu advised him to talk to foreign department.

Rabindranath in England 4th time (contd-3)-1920

YMCA, London had a residential building namely Shakespeare Hut where the students coming from India resides temporarily . The students arranged a welcoming ceremony of Rabindranath in the evening of 12th June,1920.All the students assembled there with Indian dress and the dinner also was arranged with Indian dishes. Suniti Kumar Chatterjee in his book " London-e Rabindranath" have described the occasion. He wrote the programme included 1. Welcoming  address, 2. Poetry reading in Bengali and in Hindi to felicitate the poet, 3. and   Songs sung by Dilip Kumar.A video recording was taken of the ceremony.Rathindranth did not like the programme.he wrote in his diary; " The reception was poorly organised - the speeches, poems, and songs were either ridiculous or vulgar. Father was feeling bvery uncomfortable and he refused to speakwhen called for at the end. Mr [Chatterjee], son of Sir Protul Chatterjeeof Lahore, who is a very nice gentleman and who has arranged this meeting on behalf of the student apologies. Pearson too did not like the programme.

Rathindranath wrote that they went on the very night to listen violin played by Heiffect . after the concert father met Bernard Shaw (-George Bernard Shaw (26 July 1856 – 2 November 1950) was an Irish playwright and a co-founder of the London School of Economics. Although his first profitable writing was music and literary criticism, in which capacity he wrote many highly articulate pieces of journalism, his main talent was for drama, and he wrote more than 60 plays. Nearly all his writings address prevailing social problems, but have a vein of comedy which makes their stark themes more palatable. Shaw examined education, marriage, religion, government, health care, and class privilege) who simply came up to see him and announced himself do you know me, I am Berbard Shaw' His hair had turned w2hite and he looked very beautiful.
On 13th Jun Lord Sinha came with Sir Krishna Govinda Gupta to see Rabindranath.Rathindranath wrote, "In the opinion of Lord Sinha,  we can't expect any better output from the debate on Amritsar Massacre in the Parliament, because the number of members of Socialist or Labour Party is very small." Rabindranath replied then he would not stay here for a single day.Lored Sinha said it is only the opinion of the peoploe of America and Europe that could influence the mentality of the ruling Government. He bears the same opinion this would not have been possible in Bengal , it was only in Punjab it became possible.It was more pathetic that Maharaja of Patiala contributed Rs.20,000/- to O'dyer's helping fund.
Rathindranath commented that Lord sinhya was generally reserve and cautious in nature, still he got himself  warmed up and speak out his mind.
On 15th June, Pearson wrote in a letter informing Andrews ,

" On 14th June in the afternoon, Rabindranath went to Kingston, a suburb of London, to have an interaction with Austin Harrison (Austin Frederic Harrison (1873–1928) was a British journalist and editor, best known for his editorship of The English Review from 1909 until 1923)and had talk for a long time. " Pearson added," it is in such ways that Gurudev's visit can have such a great effect ' and hopesa that in these quite and intimate talks he will influenvce the thought and the3 ideals of this country at a time [when] ideals are needed as never before in the history of the world.   

Rabindranath in England 4th time (contd-2) - 1920

Arabinda Basu, nephew of Jagadish Chandra Basu and ex-student of Santiniketan and reading in Cambridge at present, came to see Rabindranath in London on 6th Jun. But he took a manuscript of Rabindranath without prior permission which was recovered afterwards by Pearson  on 7th Jun.
Ashok Chattopadhyay, son of Ramananda Chattopadhyay, also came to see Rabindranath.
On 6th Jun in the morning Rothenstein came with his daughters to see Rabindranath. The discussions they had on the subject of the duty of the Artist and litterateurs and great men of the world. This was incorporated in the book "On the edges of time " written by Rathindranath.

Having seen the power of the King in he role of exploitation, what should be the duties of the great men in the question of co-operation with the king, Rothenstein took the side of the King. For the betterment of the country they should support the call of the country  because it is impossible for them to go on with their creative activities depending on some handful of rich persons. Citing the example of Indian Society of Oriental Art Rabindranath showed how the freedom of the artists have been damaged and pointed out that if the artists had to work in bondage then  their creativity will be lost.

Rothenstein was not agreeable to this because he had to draw paintings of War-stricken France on behalf of the Government and he was the Principal of the Royal College of Art during this discussion. Inspite of their friendship, under the changed circumstances both of them were seen to differ on many points. and Rothenstein was seen to be critical.

Rathindranath wrote in his diary on 8th Jun, 1920, of passing a pleasant day with Frank Dyson (Sir Frank Watson Dyson, KBE, FRS^[1] (8 January 1868 – 25 May 1939) was an Englishastronomer and Astronomer Royal who is remembered today largely for introducing time signals ("pips") from Greenwich, England, and for the role he played in testing Einstein's theory of general relativity.) in Royal observatory of Greenwich . He showed them the full solar ecipse in light and shade recently occurred  with the help of which Einstein proved his theory of Relativity .
Rabindranath frequently went to the house of Rothenstein as his house was at stone's throw of his residence where he met with other friends of London.
Pearson wrote Andrews on 9th June, ".....to-night we are all going to a house-warmimg thre where there will be all sorts of people who want to meet Gurudev, for example, H.G.Wells," He added in this letter, "Gurudev went yesterday [8th Jun] to see Monagu and Lord  Sinha, and gave the former some very plain speaking .It was most opportune as the debate on the Hunter Report takes place in the House to-morrow.
Rathindranath wrote in his diary the details of this debate dated 17 Jun, 1920.   

            

Rabindranath to England (contd-1) -1920

On 19th May, Rabindranath wrote to Mira Devi;  " The ship is moving and moving, we shall reach Eden tomorrow. The ocean is very calm - even Manju does not feel sea-sickness.But  it is packed up with the passengers.I don't like such a crowd and can't sit being sandwiched  by other passengers. there is a room known as music saloon. I took my seat there to sit idly. It was very difficult to continue my writing".
Rathindranath wrote in his diary, " Father can't get a quiet corner to himself, which has preventing him from doing any serious writing. Whenever he gets a little opportunity he sits down to translate from "Santiniketan". But he can't write the lectures he had wanted to.  Sometimes he likes to revise MSS of the "Letters"he has brought with him.He has cut out many  and has given me the MSS to make a fresh typed copy of the new selection.The translated portion of "Santiniketan" titled Thought Relics was printed in Mar 1921.
While going to England he wrote many letters  addressed to different persons and also wrote a series of letters "Bilet Jatrir Patra". A letter wrote on 19th may contained thoughts relating to the civilisation of a capitalist country;
" The world is comprised of collective and individual entities. If the collective activities narrowed down the individual performance, then the excellence of collective reality subsides. It expresses the want of strength. The European civilisation predicts that the bulk created by the extraction from many, is our allotment. I can not arrange facilities for every body. But these official arrangements of inhuman activities are becoming huge .The human being is gradually being united against such oppression in different forums and at last in the United Nations for a social devotion and are developing their faith. Those who are staying outside this faith are becoming sufferers. Thus the social ideas are evolving over the debris of human dead bodies. And the days are coming when the persons to be exploited will be rarely available and the individual  will demand their own share. Today the oppressed are opposing the oppressors....."
Rabindranath did not mention the socialistic revolution of Russia here but the analysis he was developing  surely reminds this incident.
The ship reached the port Plymouth of England 21 days after the it left  Bombay and that was on 5th June where Pearson and Kedar Nath Dasgupta were waiting to receive them.
Pearson wrote on 9th june;
" We had a long wait at plymouth during which we were able to get a great deal of talk and then we had lovely journey through most beautiful sunny country with the English fields and woods looking at their best.
Here in London we were met by the whole Rothenstein family [at the Paddington station], and came on to the flat in Kensington which Rothenstein had very fortunately been able to secure for Gurudev. There is room for all, including myself ... Mukul, of course, was at the station to meet him and has been often to the flat since."
Some days earlier Mukul Chandra De got himnself admitted in Slade School of London to learn painting there. Rabindranath met Pearson after three years since he left him in Japan in 1917.                 

Rabindranath Going to England in May 1920.

Before going to England  Rabindranath went to Santiniketan on 9th May, 1920 with  son Rathinddranath, daughter-in-law Pratima, Daughter Mira Devi and Andrews . He lived there for two days, and came to Calcutta on 11th May with his son and daughter-in-law.and satrted for Bombay on 12th May. This time he was accompanied by Manjushree, daughter of Surendranath, and maid-servant Sadhu Charan. According to the diary of Rathindranath they reached Bombay on 13th May,1920. He wrote;
" Had been putting up  with Bomanji at his house in Cuffe Parade, Colaba since coming to Bombay on the 13th. His house is in a delightful situation. It was such a change from the stifling heat of Calcutta to sit out on the verandah here with cool sea breeze flowing all the time. We kept very qute  - there were hardly any visitors except Sir J petit and Sir Stanley Reed of the Times of India . Father was very pleased to meet the latter - as he has so bravely stood out against the whole of Anglo-India with regard to the Amritsar massacre."
This diary was printed in "Rabindrabiksha" from the 30 to 37 titled "Diary" edited by Supriyaa Roy
The decision to go to England this time was not pre-planned.he was thinking for some time to go out for his physical and mental rest. He planned for  going  to America or Australia but the situation there was not favourable for Indians to go at that time. During rtaying at the house of Bomanji at Bombay he decided to go to England.
He wrote  to Andrews on 14th May; " I  feel that we are not likely to be long in Europe. I am not in a mood to face the world and answer its question.s."
Moreover,  he was thinking for his daughter and her kids and their upbringing and his son-in-law's   permanent occupation.
There is difference of opinion in which ship Rabindranath started for Englnad in Merca or in S.S.Morea.          

Finanacial Aid from Western India for Viswa Bharati, Rabindranath 59+

To collect fund for Viswa Bharati Rabindranath went to Gujrat and Bombay. The success to this effect was not satisfactory which was revealed in the annual report of 1919-1920. The amount collected was;
Ahmedabad;
Movlankar-1250/-
Dhimanta rao Pandit-2100/-
Keshab lalji - 500/-
Surat;
Sishu Mandali- 51/-
Bombay;
Jahangir Petiti- 1500/-
Abdul Rasul - 1000/-
Said Hussain Imam - 500/-
Collected by Andrews By Rabindranath's introduction;
Sindhu, Bombay, Ahmedabad, Nadiad - 6410/-
Rabindranath completed 59 years on 25 Baishakh at Calcutta. No ceremony other than a party with some known gentlemen due to some family business.
at the time of death of Maharshi Devendranath, it was mentioned in the willl that the property in North and Central Bengal was given to Dwijendranath, Satyendranath, and Rabindranath. On 24 May 1912, Dwijendranath in a lease deed of Rs. 45000/- gave it to Satyendranath and Rabindranath. But later on a partition between Satyendranath or Surendranath and Rabindranath or Rathindranath was made the former got the zamindary of Berhampore and Kaligram Pargana went to the latter (rabindranath and Rathindranath).
On 10th May Rabindranath made another deed for where he offered Nagendranath Roychoudhry, Nanigopal Chatto[padhyay, Rebati kanta Bhoumik,Surendranth Moitra and Trailakya Nath Das Power of Attorney. before going to Laondon on 12th may, 1920.