Monday, April 2, 2012

Rabindranath and South India (contd-11)

Theosophical Society , Adyar, Madras, India,1990. Rabindranath was chancellor in the National University of Adyar founded by Annie Basant. He was invited to go to Adyar by Basant.
But instead of going to Madras, due to some political reason, Rabindranath went to Bangalore from Madanapalle on 2nd March,1919 He explained his stand in an interview with New India on Mar 4, 1919,
" I take this opportunity of making it clear to all that I do not belong to any political party whatever, and that what i have to say to my countrymen is not of the present moment or of the prevailing political unrest. I have never felt any attraction for devising means to build the machinery for extracting favours from unwilling hands, thus perpetuating the cult of moral servitude and making our people live in the most unhealthy mental atmosphere of continualhope and despair . It has ever been my endeavour to find out how to develop the power in ourselves by which we can truly earn the gratitude of all mankind  and win our place as those who give out of their abundance and do not solely rely upon the doles of half-hearted charity." The editor commen ted in his note ;
"We are glad to say that no paerty spirit has been shown in connection with the illustrious guest of Madras. All parties have, we learn, been offered tickets for his lectures, all College Principals, Editors, Clubs, etc., and have been accepted in every case but one."
          Theosophical Society,Yuvaraja Sri Sir Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wadiyar, GCIE (June 5, 1888 - March 11, 1940), was the heir apparent of the princely state of Mysore from 1895 until his death in 1940. Under his chairmanship Rabindranath read the essay " The spirit of Popular Religion in India" on 8th Mar before  leaving Bangalore. Yubaraj in his presidential address said;
" We feel more than ever confirned in the belief that our knowledge of our country is still very inadequate, as you all know it was exactly a realisation of this circumstance which led to foundation of the Mythic Society whose object is to give and spread a fuller knowledge of Indian life in all its aspects."
The poet did not receive any monitory gift in this visit to Mysore other than the copies of books they have published.This is true till his life.  
" We feel more than ever confirmed in the belief that our knowledge of our country is still very inadequate, as you all know it was exactly a real  Madras, Ished by The Blavatsky Archives. Return to the Photo Gallery.