Rabindranath in West and South India (contd-10)

The members of India Club greeted Rabindranath in Storm Lodge of  Colpetty. Due to inclement weather the open conference was cancelled and the meeting was held in the Club room.Importanat personalities of different races and religions were present there. Rabindranath explained before them his aims and objects of education and appealed for co-operation. At the request of the audience he recited some poems from his writings.
On 17th Oct he visited Mahindra College of Galle city and after taking rest  for an hour  met the students in Alcott hall. The younger students sat on the floor round the poet so that he would not have said in a louder voice. Rabindranath sarcastically said that they should not be afraid on seeing his long beard and added that if he could take some days of rest here and play with the boys, it would have been fine. Kalidas Nag came here a few years back as a prncipal to this college and he had heard from him about the good behavior of the students of this place. He invited them to come to his School at Santiniketan.
He paid a round visit to the library and other places of the college. He was satisfied to see here the open air teaching arrangements in this place.

Rabindranath in West and South India (contd-9)

Actually Rabindranath came to Ceylon on 11th Oct along with Andrews. But his programme in Ceylon was not light one.
Sir Anton Bertram, Chief Justice in Ceylon up to about 1926 at least

1. Sir Anton Bertram (1869-1937): Attorney General of Ceylon, 1911-1918; Chief Justice, 1918-1925.

   Sir Anton Bertram (1869-1937): Attorney General of Ceylon, 1911-1918; Chief Justice, 1918-1925, Fellow of Peterhouse, Cambridge, 1929; he was ‘a conscientious character who could become jittery under pressure’, wrote Sir Henry Monck-Mason Moore of his colleague in Ceylon.

   On 13th Oct. Rabindranath delivered a lecture before the members of local YMCA. Sir Anton Bertram presided over the meeting. Rabindranath explained before the audience about the aims and objects of Viswabharati and added that he had come here as a mendicant friar for co-operation including financial assistance.

   

   Sir Ponnambalam Arunachchalam, CCS (September 14, 1853- January 9, 1924) was a Tamil political leader in Ceylon and a member of the Executive Council and the Legislative Council.

   On 15th Oct Rabindranath addressed in a public hall before a huge gathering on "Growth of my Life's work". Mentioning his message from India to Ceylon, he expressed his grief having learnt that the present Ceylon had forgotten the long spiritual relationship between the two territories of a land.  
   On 15th Oct Rabindranath addressed a large audience on "Growth of my life's Work" in a public hall which was presided over by Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam. He said about the message of India to Ceylon and expressed his grief when he heard that the modern Ceylon had forgotten the spiritual relationship developed during the thousands of years ago. His fervent hope is -  his visit to Ceylon will reopen the previous relationship. He also referred to the past relationship  Ceylon had with Bengal. The paper Ceylon Observer described the lecture on 16th Oct;
   " The concluding lecture of the poet's lecture was an impassioned appeal to each race and to each religion to break down its own dividing walls and confining boundaries at the dawn of the age which was so  rapidly advancing." 

Rabindranath in West and South India (contd-8)

Rabindranath came to Ceylon accompanying Andrews on 11th Oct. and became a guest of Dr. W. A. de Silva and stayed at the palacious building Shrabonti in Edinburgh Crescent. Next  day 12th Oct he went to visit the local Teachers' Training College along with Dr. Silva. The vice-principal G.E.Hardinge took him to see the College. He delivered a lecture in the assembly of Teachers and the students and expressed his hope that some of them might go to see Viswabharati. At the request of the audience he read some poems from gardener.
W. A. de Silva, another Karava philanthropist, mortgaged his “Sravasti’ mansion to settle D. B. Jayatilleke’s staggering debts at the Colombo YMBA and lost his mansion. “Sravasti’. His mansion still exists near the Colombo Museum. It's now a hostel for government Ministers.
Rabindranath wrote a letter to the then teacher, Dhirendranath Mukhopadhyay of Santiniketan  expressing his willingness to collect funds by the members of the Ashram as was done by Boudha Vikshu but he himself became tired out of the  drive of fund collection and expressed this in aletter written to Indira Devi;
" I'm moving from door to door for collection of fund for Viswabharati with a beggar's bowl. I should say I'm carrying it in my neck and not in my hand. I'm not efficient in this job nor it is satisfactory.  When my mind becomes tired, Viswabharati appears to me as illusion - when I was writing poems, it was much better for me - a real one. Now, when I wanted to lay down the foundation of an honest work, it becomes an illusion. Will it survive ? The idea of a thing is lively but it cannot be made alive in an iron cage. If it can find a place in human mind it will survive.Any way Huind scripture asked us to sow the seed without looking for its result. So, in this way we shall proceed and finish our journey at the end of our life."
Rathindranath started for Ceylon to give company to his father and would reach on 19th Oct.       

Rabindranath in West and South India (contd-7)

Rabindranath visited National Girls'School, Tilak college and Central Institution of the Depressed Classes on 6th Oct. On ground of his health he could not stay for long in any place but he expressed satisfaction after visiting Institute of the Depressed classes. He wrote in their visitors book, " I have been much impressed by what I have seen of the prctical work of this institution and the success which has already been obtained. I wish every blessing and encouragement for those who are undertaking this work on behalf of humanity. In place of him Andrews spoke about the ideals of Viswabharati.
He had to deliver a lecture but as he was unwell and could not carry out the programme. He was present to receive the felicitation paper from the people of Mangalore. He decided to go to Madras before going to Ceylon. He went to Madras on 21st Oct and then started for Ceylon on 22nd Oct.
Before this he went to Adyar and met Annie Basant and Cousins

James Henry Cousins (1873 – February 20, 1956) was an Irish writer, playwright, actor, critic, editor, teacher and poet. He used several pseudonyms including Mac Oisín and the Hindu name Jayaram.In India he became friendly with many key Indian personalities including poet Rabindranath Tagore, Indian classical dancer Rukmini Devi Arundale, painter Abdur Rahman Chughtai and Mahatma Gandhi .
Rabindranath wanted to discuss with him about his tri-monthly magazine on Viswabharati which took a permanent shape in publishing the first issue on Apr 1923, The Viswabharati Quarterly .    

Rabindranath in west and south India (contd-6)

Rabindranath went to the local variety Hall at 6.30 pm on 2nd Oct. The felicitation paper in Sanskrit and in English were read addressing him in reply to his felicitation he gave thanks to them read the essay " A vision of India History"
On 3rd Oct Rabindranath came to a small village named Vattamalaipalayam. He had to take a lot of trouble to reach there. He traveled some miles by motor and then a long distance by Cows-driven-cart. But he became satisfied to reach here because this village was having some remembrance of Maharshi Devendranath.The villagers offered  him a purse of Rs.183/- . The paper Swarajya wrote on 6th Oct;
"The poet said that he was deeply touched by the wish of these simple villagers to meet him and contribute towards his life works at Santiniketan....such a wish had been spontaneously expressed by the villagers in Southern India and he valued it more deeply than he could possibly express.The ancient seats of learning in India such as Nalanda and Taxila were provided with funds by the offerings of the villagers of India in the olden times, for ancient India loved loved learning more more than all earthly riches.The poet remarked that the sam spirit still exists today.He thanked them for giving him a message of hope and good cheer in the midst of this difficult work.His visit to their village that morning had been , he felt, an event in the history of Viswabharati itself and a gift to him of their money for Viswabharati purposes was more precious than he could possibly describe . He was also happy to know that the name of his renowned father Maharshi Devendranath tagore was remembered among them.
Then he was offered a felicitation paper written in Tamil. He returned to Coimbatore after visiting the Brahmo Samaj Co-operative Bank.
He read his 2nd lecture on :"An Eastern University" at the Variety Hall..The boys scout sung an welcoming song in Tamil language.The poet also sung a Bengali song which was heard with rapt attention.
After this lecture Sakhappa Chettier offered him a purse of Rs,2400/- and another sum of Rs.1200/- from the prceeds of selling tickets. Rabindranath gave thanks to them.
On 4th Oct Rabindranath started for Mangalore in a West Coast mail from Coimbatore.   

Rabindranath in West And South India (contd-5)

Cancelling  the programme to deliver a lecture in Madras, Rabindranath started for Coimbatore at night in the West Coast Mail on 1st Oct.  Principal K.S. Baithinathan of Government College and  R.K.Sammugam, member of Legislative Council, greeted Rabindranath at the Podanur Station.

Podanur , is a neighbourhood in the city of Coimbatore  in Tamil Nadu, India. Its history goes back to the creation of a major railway station and colony during British rule. The station has lost its importance after the major railway stations were built at Coimbatore and Palakkad. However, it is still a significant junction and a few trains that do not go to Coimbatore stop at Podanur.

Podanur was an important location during the British era, and it served as a major colony for the British. The quarters built and used by the British are still used by the Indian Railways.
Sathappa Chettiar, the owner of Mill with a team of business men came at the Coimbatore Station and garlanded him. He explained the ideals of Viswabharati and appealed to the businessmen for contributing to the fund of Viswabharati.
Andrews delivered a lecture at Thomas memorial Hall of the Govt. College about Santiniketan.

Rabindranath in Wst and South India (contd-4)

Adyar  or Adayar is a large neighbourhood in south Chennai (formerly Madras), Tamil Nadu, India. It is located on the southern banks of the Adyar River. It is bounded by the Buckingham Canal to the west, Tiruvanmiyur to the south, and Besant Nagar to the east. Adyar is one of the costliest areas in Chennai with property values four times the value of similar sized properties in the northern part of Chennai.
During his stay in Madras he visited a club earmarked as "Rabindranath Club" after his name. A large assembly of people was waiting there to welcome him. Rabindranath with Andrews having arrived there, Mr. E.L.Ayar took them to the well decorated stage of the club to take a photo of Rabindranath with members of the Club. Rao Bahadur T. Rangacharya, in a short lecture, greeted him. The secretary of the club handed over Rs.!50/- to Rabindranath. In reply to the welcome address Rabindranath said,
" ...I consider it to be great good fortune that I could have been like a symbol of unity between this provonce and my own. The name which you have used to the club, my name - it proves that I have done someting to merit it, something I have represented in my life or work, something, some principle of unity which has made it possible for you to acceptme among yourselves...It has already started its career but it must  be accepted by the people of Indiaand given a real life and "Prana Pratistha" has to be made and for that I claim your help. I have come for that very purpose to your doorsnot as a guest but as a "Bikshu".
The he handed over prizes to the successful competitors.
He delivered a lecture on "Ideals in Education" [ Spirit of Modern Times].
Annie Basant, Dewan Bahadur R., Ramchandra Rao, Arthur Davis were present on the occasion.     

Rabindranath in West and south India (contd-3)

Rabindranath delivered a lecture at the University of Mysore on 27th Sept.Madam Levi and Gretchen informed that they participated as a spectators to the fireworks at the Palace.
On 29th Sept in the morning train Rabindranath and Andrews went to Madras. A few gentlemen cordially received them. Then they started for M by motor.Mylapur. They remained as a guest of advocate T.s.Ramaswami Ayar while they were in Madras.
James H. Cousins wrote in his auto-biography that all on a sudden without giving any prior information Rabindranath and Andrews came to hi residence at Adyar. He wrote;
" The great figure in the door of our living room was in its usual fawn-coloured robe and high biretta-like cap. Above his longish gray beard and the nose of aristocracy he smiled through his clear brown eyes; and in his high voice began a literary and intellectual give-and-take that carriedus on from 1.30 to 3.30." They discussed about publishing a tri-monthly journal to introduce ideals of Viswa Bharati.
Having heard the news of his coming, Annie Basant came and met Rabindranath. in the night Rabindranath delivered a lecture in the big Gokhale Hall on "A vision of Indian History."
Madras Mail   wrote on 30th Sept;
" The hall was crowded to its utmost capacity, despite the fact that admission was strictly by tickets, which have to be paid for. The present consisted largely of students, but there were also representatives at the gathering of all sections of the public of Madras ...The lecture had been announced for 6 o'clock but there was a short period of waiting before Dr.Tagore arrived, accompanied by Rev. C.f.Andrews  A tremendous ovation was accorded to the [oet. He was bare-headed and wore a flowing gown of tussore silk  He walked up to the dias, his gait most symbolic of meekness, and shuffling off his sandals he got up and sat cross-legged on a pedastal that had been specially plcaed for him... Then Dr. Tagore opened out his manuscript and began reading his lecture. "
Next day the paper wrote in his editorial "The Idealist" .       

Rabindranath and Gretchen Green (contd-3)

An American Social Worker Gretchen Green met Rabindranath in Poona.She wrote in her autobiography, The Whole Wotld & Company [1936];

" In inter of 1921 she met Dorothy Strait of Florida who asked her about her desire to do now. Gretchen replied that she wants to work in India."

After a few months , in June 1922, she got letter from Dorothy informing that her work in India is ready. She went to Newyork, met Dorothy and came to learn that she should establish a Welfare Centre in a village near Santiniketan and work for the development of consciousness of health of females in that area.  ['...works in India means unofficial aid to Rabindranath Tagore at Santiniketan, his School.The poet wants someone to help with village women. To gain the confidence of women is often to revolutionize the lives of the men, so great is their difference to the mai - mother. He suggests a dispensary to start with, other duties to develop - they did, in multiple.]

Mrs Moody was also behind the working of this plan. She wrote to Rathindranath;

"The reason I put  'confidential' into my cable was that I did not want to run any risk of its being spoken of there, before you heard from me. Miss Green has a general impression that I have collected funds, out of which I offered a um for the salary and support for the coming year. The fact is thaty this money I offered and sent her was given for this purpose, whether wisely or not... your."Gretchen came to London from America and underwent a training in midwifery. She then started for India.She described her journey from Poona to Bangalore and wrote;

" Two nights and a day wetraveled, tagore, C.F.Andrews , Elmhirst, Myself and Sylvain Levis, Madam and Monsieur. We started out in ordinary cars, changing royal coach at the border of the state. All through the night as the train passed, crowds on station platforms cried "Tagore ki jai"- Hail Tagore     - as if to gain a benediction from his passing... The ceremony of welcome commenced at Mysore station. Officials draped with marygolds sat in cane chairs along the platform.Minor officials bowed the poet and party off the train. A brahmin priest offered coconuts, symbol of hospitality. The poet made a short speech of thanks. trains could not move on because passengers refused to get in. Distracted admirers, struggling with one another, jammed the platform. Finally the Vizier cleared a path to the Royal cars, motoring us rapidly to the Rajah's summer Palace - an adorable small palace in a large garden, with a zoo of its own."      

    

Rabindranath's visit to West and South India (contd-2)

Belgaum ( also called Belagavi in Kannada, Belgaon in Marathi ) is a city and a municipal corporation in Belgaum district in the state of Karnataka, India. It is the fifth largest city in the state of Karnataka, after Bengaluru, Hubli-Dharwad, Mysore, and Gulbarga.)
A large assembly greeted Rabindranath at the Belgaom stn. In reply to the greetings Rabindranath said, " The heavy task they have taken on their shoulder, he shares their attitudes. But his field is different. He works in a separate field and that is education.The present educational system in India is not does not represent our education and culture.He approaches for help from all concern. The local Congress Secretary narrated his lecture in Marathi language..
He was again greeted at Hubly station.They reached Bangalore on 26th in the noon and got accomodation in the guest house of the King of Mysore.

Rabindranath's visit to West and South India (contd-1)

On 23rd Sept. the went to Ladies University and Deccan College. In the evening a conference was arranged in their honour.
On24th Sept in the morning they joined a seminar at New Poona college on the subject, "Education". after this Rabindranath delivered a lecture in a public meeting at Kirloskar Theateron " Indian renaissance. He deeply criticized the then prevailing Education system destroying the fundamental elements.He also outlined his own idea of the ideal University, which had for his objects the constant pursuit of truth, showed the defects of the present system in contrast to his school. The meeting ended after the thanks given to the guests. Mrs. Levi accompanied them in this meeting.

Today they also went to a memorial   meeting of B.G.Tilak at Poona.     
(Lokmanya Tilak, born as Keshav Bal Gangadhar Tilak(23 July 1856 – 1 August 1920, age 64), was an Indian nationalist, teacher, social reformer, lawyer and independence fighter who was the first popular leader of the Indian Independence Movement. The British colonial authorities derogatorily called him "Father of the Indian unrest". He was also conferred with the honorary title of "Lokmanya", which literally means "Accepted by the people(as their leader)".
Tilak was one of the first and strongest advocates of "Swaraj"(self-rule) and a strong radical in Indian consciousness. His famous quote, "Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it!" is well-remembered in India even today.)
After the welcome address Rabindranath  " feelingly referred to Mr.Tilak and was almost in tears when he alluded to their mutual relations.". The lecture delivered by Rabindranath in this meeting was drafted from the page of "Raktakarabi" (p-105);
" The incident which brought me into personal touch with T [ilak], I have mentioned elsewhere was when he sent a messenger to me with Rs.50,000/- asking me to take a trip to Europe with the help of this money. At first I thought that he wanted to utilise my presence in Europe for some political purpose which he had  in mind and which was altogether outside my field of work. But my surprise was still still greater when I was assured that Tilak did not want my help for any propaganda which was his own, that he would be sorry if I followed the path which he himself was pursuing at that moment for the benefit of our country.  He wanted me to be true to myself and through my effort to serve humanity in my own way to serve India. I felt that this proposal from t carried with it the highest honour that I had ever received from my countrymen. I might not have been worthy of it that it revealed to me a greatness of T's personality which deeply impressed me. He had more faith in truth than in method. His idea of the fulfilment of India's destiny was vast and therefore it had ample room even for a "dreamer of dreams", even for a music maker. He knew that freedom had its diverse aspects and therefore it could truly be reached if individuals  had their full scope to use their speial gifts for opening out paths that were diverse in their directions. He was sure that " "Para darma bhayabaha'."
Rabindranath and his party left Poona and started for Bangalore.Andrews was  busy in Punjab to solve the problems of Akalis. He came to Poona on 23rd Sept and accpompanied Rabindranath.   

Rabindranath's visit to West and South India

Rabindranath wrote to Snehalata Sen on 19th Sept;
Having finished our drama on Monday , "I shall go to Bombay on Tuesday". Actually, Rabindranath went  to Puna along with Gour Gopal Ghosh and Elmhirst.
The Hindu of Madras,  published his tour programme on 21st Sept.
Aswini Kumar Ghosh wires from Calcutta under Sept 20, --Dr. Rabindranath Tagore started yesterday by Bombay mail for Poona to meet Dr. Sylvain Levi who is on a visit to that city, as the guest of renowned Jaina scholars from Poona. The poet intends proceedings to Mysore at the invitation of Brajendranath Seal, then he will go to Madras and after visiting Coimbatore and other places in that presidency, he will proceed to Ceylon . During return Journey, he will be at Bombay. He expects to come back here in November. C.F.Andrews will join him as soon as he finishes his work in the Punjab.
From Bombay Chronicle it was known that Rabindranath and Sylvain Levi reached Poona on 21st Sept and met with the famous Sanskrit pandit Dr. Ramkrishna Gopal Bhandarkar [ 1837-1925]. On this day, inthe evening Poona Gayan Samaj greeted them with "Pansupari.". They visited Poona College, Girls High School,  the offices of "Keshari" and "Maratha" paper and Farguson College.In Poona they became the guest of Ratanji Dadabhai Tata [ 1871-1932].
Next day on 21st sept in the morning they went again to Poona Gayan Samaj.  The boys and girls students of  Samaj greeted them with musical instruments. Madam Levi wrote, " One day we all went to a Marathi Music Institution in response to their invitation. Prof Raghunath Purushottam Paranjaphey [1876-1966] arranged a morning music programme. We appeared in a room at 8.30 am   through a narrow long-stepped stairs - which is only known to India - they were also shown different musical instrument and films of different musical show. A report from an unknown person was available;
"  The guests were received by sardar Muzumdar at Sardar  Raste's wada Shri Manik Prabhu. Class girls gave a nice programmein music [vocal]  by singing about 10 different melodies of pure Indian musi. Boys from the Nutan  Marathi Vidyalaya performed the action-song so nicely that the audience thought  it was witnessing military movements of an army squadron. The teachers and the pupils played upon the Jaltaranga and Sitar quite well. The music was throughout correct and to tal and Melodies.
Both the Doctors were interested in what they saw and heard. They spent about two hours at he hall of the Samaj..."
  

Co-acting in public stage Criticised by Lalit Mohan Das and Krishna Kumar Mitra.

Rabindranath wrote to Ranu on 30th Aug;
" There is no possibility of my going to Bombay in the month of Sep."
 He had to take the role of Sannyasi in Bisarjan to be staged at Calcutta in a cultural fair in Autumnal Ceremony.It was only for collection of fund that he was going to take this role.He wrote another letter to Ranu on 4th Sept. ;
" I've become restless at the rehearsal of the autumnal ceremony. Bibhuti (Bibhutibhusan Gupta)comes here everyday in the noon and takes my lesson from top to bottom. I've to commit to memory as the boys do in their lesson. But my forgetfulness is so high that I always forget the date fixed for the rehearsal. Even the small boys laugh at me. I can't say that it was so disgraceful. If you can manage to ome here, you shall find that I 'm saying corretly from my heart."
The drama was first staged in Alfred Theatre hall on 16th Sept.
But before the drama was actually staged, having noticed the advertisement in the paper " a drama will be staged to celebrate autumnal ceremony by the boys and girls students of Santiniketan" the Brahmo leader Lalit Mohan  Das and editor of "Sanjibani" Krishnakumar Mitra wrote two letters to Rabindranath protesting against the participation of   girls students  coming from respectable family to appear on the public stage to act different roles of drama of Viswa Bharati. At this Rabindranath felt embarrassed.
This is to be mentioned here that in 1877 in the drama named  " Eman Karma aar karbona" Rabindranath acted in his role where the female members of Tagore family also participated in female roles. Moreover,  in the dramas " Basanta Utsab", "Manmayee", Bibaha Utsab" and on several occasions the female members of Tagore family acted their roles along with the male members of the family. The first public appearance in stage by the female members to act a drama took place in "Balmiki Prativa" on 26th Feb 1881. Fifteen year old Pratibha Devi took part in this dance drama. Again,on the occasion of "Bidwatjjan Samagama" a stage performance was held where females appeared publicly before many members of  respectable families including reporters of different papers  who praised highly about  participation of female members in spite of condemnation. All of them greeted participation by females.
In the last year Rabindranath made arrangements of participation of female members in "Barsha Mangal" which was staged in the Vichitra hall without any protest.
Rabindranath replied those letters on 9th Sept which seemed to be an explanation of his activities. The reply written to Krishna Kumar Mitra said ;
" He who have informed you that the people have condemned after witnessing Barshamangal, has probably said in exaggeration out of grudge. No sign of unrest or lack of restraint was visible among the spectators. I donot know whether some of them have changed their mind after going home. I have heard harsh words so many times without or negligible reasons in my life that now i don't mind anything for its recurrence. I have not done any work so far my life in which I was not blamed from any corner - what's harm in it? The drama like Saradotsab was  written to remove ugly imagination from mind. If it is pure then why should we bother ? It is our duty to distribute pure entertainment with which people can purify his mind. Anyway, if it is possible to stage it elsewhere, I shall try to do to obey your request. But there is no such time."
Barshamangal was staged in Alfred Hall on 16th and in Madan Hall on 18th of Sept.            

Barsha Mangal at Rammohan Library Hall

"Barshamangal" was first staged in Rammohan Library Hall at Calcutta, on 16th Aug,1922. Mr. and Mrs. Levi could also attend the programme. Ananda Bazar Patrika reported about the programme on 17th Aug;
"Barsha Mangal was staged. Many songs of Rainy season was sung written on the basis of rainy season and Rabindranath himself took the responsibility of directing the programme. Between two songs he also recited from his writings. Madam Levi wrote in her diary;
" The programme started at 6 pm. We took our seat timely in the compact beautifully decorated small hall. Some Europeans, about 15 in number, Came to attend the programme. Sovan, Suresh took their seats in the spectators enclave.Wonderful ornaments were brought. Not only the stones are  precious, on which it was strewn was also costly.Gorgeous female clothes and snow white male dresses were arranged. Everything was so clean and fashioned with elegant style.
When the curtain was raised, our friend of Santiniketan were visible - female singers wearing red bordered white clothes and the males with a red turban on their head. At back of all the artist Dinu Thakur was standing at the middle. Gurudev was in front of the stage. Abanindranath Thakur was playing Esraj. At the beginning of the programme there was an welcome address of rain after the summer and all on a sudden a thunder alarmed everyone and a flsh of rain took place.We became astonished to see that the blessings from the heaven has come. Songs, dance  and every item was beatiful."
A 16-pages booklet was published on this occasion. Barsha Mangal/1329/Price 4 annas. Total 18 songs were there in the booklet.
This programme was meant for the members of Viswa Bharati. For the common people the programme was held on 17th Aug of which the entry fee was Box-50/-, 40/-, and 25/- and ordinary seats - 5/-, 4/-, 3/-, and 2/-. Gallery-1/-. But many could not get their seats reserved.
On 19th another show was arranged for those who could not attend the previous shows..        

Farewell ceremony of Mr. and Mrs. Levi

Farewell Ceremony of Mr. and Mrs. Sylvain Levi was held in the evening of 9th Aug,1922 at the new building of Childrens' Section of Viswbharati. This was published in Santiniketan in Bhadra-Aswin issue (p- 110). The meeting hall was nicely decorated on this date too. Rabindranath recited Sanskrit  hymn and they were garlanded with sacred mark put on his head. He was offered a modesty scarf and a written greetings by Rabindranath Tagore which was nicely drawn by Nandalal Basu. This greeting with the title "Biday Abhivasan" was also printed in Bhadra-Aswin issue of Santiniketan .
"Dear Acharya,
You know that I believe the time has come when the outward fact of the meeting of East and West must ripen into a union of truth.With the object of giving form to such an aspiration and also of training youth minds for a future when the federation of races will be acknowledged, we have established Viswa Bharati in Santiniketan. I cherish the hope in my heart that this institution  will grow to be a meeting ground of truth's pilgrims coming from the Eastern and Western continents and represent the principle of unity, which reveals harmony through materials that are varied and often antagonistic in appearene."  
He invited Sylvain Levi when he met him in France and asked him to help him in  fulfilling  his ideals.. He also had come to this country at his call travelling a long sea journey. Rabindranath  added expressing his gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Levi ;
" You understand us, you accepted us to your heart, your love for us made you overlook our numerous short comings and discover all that is real and permanent in our endeavor . This magnanimity of our sympathy has given us courage and confidence in our mission, and what we offer you today as our last homage to you is not honor but love."
In reply Sylvain Levi expressed his sentiments what he had felt during his stay in India.
Rabindranath went to Calcutta along with Mr. and Mrs Levi on 11th Aug in the train at 9 am.     

Barshamangal in Santiniketan-1922

"Barshamangal" to be staged at Calcutta was rehearsed in full swing under the direction of  Dinu Thakur at Santiniketan with its students. which Rabindranath wrote to Ranu on 23 July;
" We shall perform "Barshamangal  in Calcutta for which preparation is going . The date for this performance has been fixed on  Monday which comes after  coming Monday.Dinu has started teaching of songs to the students of Santiniketan. I haven't got much time to write songs after your departure. Still I wrote a few songs. An association is formed in Calcutta of Viswabharati Sammilani. I have to make it active for some days. Now I have to sail from Calcutta to Santiniketan and back. The students of Calcutta are seen to be enthusiastic. We have collected five hundred members in a day. There is no place in Calcutta to accommodate more than five hundred members so we are not able to enroll more members.I read Muktadhara inthat meeting on that day. I explained them the inner meaning of the drama. The they have appreciated it after hearing. It is going to be fixed to stage Bisarjan one day. But I don't like to be engaged with these sort of things."
It was staged on 7th Aug  (22nd Shraban) in Santiniketan before the students of Ashram in full-moon night which was published in Santiniketan in Bhadra-Aswin issue.
" Barshamangal was celebrated in new the hall of the Children s' Department. The wasfinely decorated by paintings on the floor by the women of the Ashram. The Director Nandalal Basu, Sreyukta Surendranath Kar, Asit Kumar Haldar, and their disciples decorated the hall with flowers very beautifully. Gurudev, Dienendranath Thakur and Pandit Bhimrao Sashtri and their students sung many songs  Gurudev sung a solo " Aaj akaasher maner katha jhara jhara baje" when itwas raining outside. In betwee two lines he recited from Jhulan, Barsha Mangal and Nirupama. In the tune of Vina the music was mixed up with the atmosphere.  It was a rare incident created on that day when man and nature jointly celebrated the occasion - it is rare in one's life."
Mr. and Mrs Levi had witnessed the ceremony and madam Levi gave a vivid description in her diary about this ceremony.

Rabindranath and Death anniversary of Vidyasagar

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar  ( 26 September 1820 – 29 July 1891), born Ishwar Chandra Bandopadhyay (Bengali: ঈশ্বরচন্দ্র বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়, Ishshor Chôndro Bôndopaddhae), was an Indian Bengali polymath and a key figure of the Bengal Renaissance. Vidyasagar was a philosopher, academic, educator, writer, translator, printer, publisher, entrepreneur, reformer, and philanthropist. His efforts to simplify and modernize Bengali prose were significant. He also rationalized and simplified the Bengali alphabet and type, which had remained unchanged since Charles Wilkins and Panchanan Karmakar had cut the first (wooden) Bengali type in 1780.
Rabindranath presided over a meeting of death anniversary of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar in Sadharan Brahmo Samaj Mandir on 2nd Aug, 1922. The presidential address of Rabindranath as noted down by Prodyut Kumar Sengupta and publishe in Bhadra issue of Pravasi
[p-759-63] titled " Vidyasagar";
" Each year death anniversary of Vidyasagar is being held but the speakers always say about his kindness. But "Vidyasagar by dint of his virtues have gone beyond the then social systems and culture" has been kept untold. Vidyasagar has gone beyond his era in which he was born, he can well be placed in modern ages. He was born in a Brahmin family within the then social perspective. But he didn't keep himself within that boundary - he had struck the then social system - this is the beauty of his character. This is why he is a man of row mind modern age. He tried to make a bridge between the East and the West. In his opinion everything which comes from west is not bad. he knows there is no line of demarcation of East and West in Knowdge, in science. Being a Pandit in Sanskrit, he welcomes their education. He used to put on traditional old Indian dress but he tried to grasp their knowledge." In this regard Rabindranath also mentioned the names of Rammohan Roy and he said critically about the statement of Gandhiji on Rammohan Roy calling him a "Pigmy" . He said the person with a narrow mind used to see the virtues of the great person as obnoxious. "
     

Viswabharati Association (contd-3)

Leonard Elmhirst (left) wrote in his Sriniketan diary on 26th July, 1922,
He and Rabindranath Tagore came to Calcutta on that day. On 28th July, he read an essay on 'The Robbery of the soil" in Rammoham Library Hall at the initiative of Viswabharati Association. The meeting was presided by Rabindranath Tagore. In his presidential address he said;
".The essay was published in Santiniketan in Kartik-issue titled "Samajik Swasthyaraksha o Pranrakshar Path Kon Dike". Elmhirst said in his speech; " We are damaging the food and health of villages by robbing the wealth of the resources of nature." Rabindranath expanded the idea in the name of the solution of the problems of preservation of community life and health. "While visiting my Zamindary estate I saw the problems of villages from a very close distance, so his idea about the problems is based on physical observation and not from reading books. " He said, " by exporting the agricultural products and its reminiscences from villages to cites, the villages are becoming poor - so also our mind and thought is moving to the cities and the mental health of villages are becoming poor. I have an experience of a village where the people live indistress condition.Even the Kirtan, Ramayan sangeet, are not therebecause those who would have arranged these things had fled away to cities.They atre not benifitted by our learning. Their mental condition are not being rich with songs , stories or folk tales.Food is neccessary to maintain health, which also gives growth to human mind.But in villages there is a scarcity.They are consuming village liquor as they are not getting good food."
On 1st Aug Kshitimohan Sen read some writings of Kabir in Rammhohan Library Hall at 6.30 pm organised by Vswabharati Association. Rabindranath presided over the meeting.      

First meeting of the Executive Council of Viswabharati - 1922

On 22nd July, Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis came to Santiniketan with Rabindranath . The first session of the Executive Council of Viswabharati  was held on 23July, 1922- Founder-Acharya Rabindranath took the chair. From the minutes book of the council the following members of the council were present. Snehalata Sen, Kiran Bala Sen, and Hemlata Thakur. Provisions of forming Women Association was made in the constitution and with the help of " Women Association" the  female members were taken in the Executive Council. This was the sign of respect of Rabindranath to the women.
The Bhadra- Aswin  issue of Santiniketan published details of the council meeting
On the first floor of the Kalabhavan of Santiniketan, the first meeting of the Executive Council was held. The meeting room was nicely decorated with the paintings on he floor . The Founder Acharya Rabindranath took the chair of the president. The professors and students of the of Viswabharati were present in the meeting as observer. Sreeyukta Surendranath Thakur, Dr. Pramatha nath Bandyopadhyay, Nepal Chandra Roy came from Calcutta and joined the meeting. A Baidik song "Tamiswaranang paramong Maheswaram" was  sung. Acharyadev, Pandit bidhushekhar Sashtri, Bhimrao Sashtri recited some vedic Mantra before starting the meeting.
There were two agendas to be discussed;
1. To approve the Viswabharati Association as its branch organisation; and to approve the constitution of Viswabharati,
2. To nominate the members of Viswabharati.
The following names as members of Viswabharati were suggested;
J.H.Cousins, Ambala Sarabhai, Marwanji M.Cama, Byram N. Khambata, Jahangir B. Petit, Ratanji D.Tata, Lallubhai Samaladas, M.R.Jayakar, N.M.Miller, Sir Lallubhai Shah, Sir Narayan Chadravarkar, Sir Stanley Reed, K. Natarajan, Kalidas Devraj, Siblal kalidas, ...etc.Sajanikanta Das also became members.
         

Inauguration of Viswabharati Association - 1922

Rabindranath inaugurated Viswabharati Association by reading and explaining Muktadhara on 21st July, 1922, at Rammohan Library hall, Calcutta. The details of the programme were published in Ananda Bazar Patrika on 4th July titled "Viswabharati Sammilani";
" On 21st July, at 6.30 pm at Rammohan Library Hall the 1st Session of the Association will be held. Rabindranath will read, sing and discuss from his recently published Drama "Muktadhara". The session is meant only for the members of the Association. The members are request to bring their membership card. Females may also get their membership card. The rules and Regulations will be available from the office of the Association, (210 Cornwallis Street ) between 4 pm and 7 pm. Limited number of Guests, friends of the members, will be allowed to enter on payment of 50 annas. Cards for entry will be available at the office of the Association. Arrangements have been made for females.
On Friday, 21st Jule at 8 pm ( after the reading of Muktadhara) General meeting of the members will be held. In this meeting 1. Discussions on the rules and regulations of the association, and 2. election of the executive members of the Association will be held. The members are requested to remain present."
After the programme, Ananda Bazar Patrika and Amrita Bazar Patrika commented on the exaggeration of the dresses of the attending males and females.
The collection of fund for Viswabharati University was the main aim of this programme from the members of the Associationm. Mebersship are as follows;
1. Annual fees for Ordinary Membet = Rs.12/-
2. Fees for Life Member                  = Rs. 250/-
( As a result many unwanted members became members the fees are comparatively small)"
Collection drive may be made by special show of Barsha Mangal, Drama etc.
This is to be noted that the contributions received so far came from the kings, Business men, and  ordinary people were much more from other provinces than that of Bengal. .
   

GORA translated by Pearson

 Pearson was translating the novel 'Gora' of Rabindranath in English. That was to be published in installment in Modern Review. Rabindranath wrote a letter to Pearson on 18th July asking him to give it for publication when he had finished at least 50 % of the book so that there would not be any gap between two consecutive publications. He also advised him to take help from some Bengali like Anil  kumar Mitra of Delhi so that the intimate picture of life be reflected properly. Pearson misunderstood that perhaps Rabindranath was not supporting his work of translating the novel. But Rabindranath wrote in reply, " Gora is difficult bookto translate; many a valliant attempt was made by a literary adventurer. All their efforts have broken down not very far from the beginning' strewing the path with the skeletons of unfinished chapters."
Rabindranath thought that pearson might be successful in translating Gora. According to his opinion he had to avoid translating some chapters from Gora, "for I find that English readers have very little patience for scenes and sentiments which are foreign to them... Gora was written when Swadeshi movement in Bengal was at its height and therefore a great part of it may only have a topical interest.".  Pearson did not agree with Rabindranath. He wrote to Rabindranath on 15th June, " I fear that your careful abridgement is nearly always more correctly described as "ruthless pruning' !As was done in Glimpses of Bengal life".
He requested Rabindranath to see that let Macmillan be asked to print this book completely.

It was published Modern Review during Jan 1923 to Dec 1923. Pearson died before his printing of Gora ended.

Viswabharati Association- 1922

Rabindranath came to Calcutta on 8th July.  When he would come to Calcutta, he became busy attending meetings and interviews. But he didn't like Calcutta as it was void in natural environment. He wrote to Ranu Adhikari  on 13 July; " The city Calcutta - I don't like it at all. It seems to me as if an animal of bricks and woods is going to swallow me. Moreover, the sky is now completely filled with clouds. It is drizzling since last night. The thing is " Barshamangal" ceremony will be held in Shraban this year.But the problem is, will the song constructed in the field of Santiniketan will be appreciated in the noisy place of Calcutta."
Rabindranath constructed a song, "Shrabana Meghera Adheka Duar".
On 14th Julyhe met the advocate general Satishranjan Das in the evening and wrote to Elmhirst informing him; " he was greatly impressed with what he heard from me about our university. He  promised me that he would do his best to help us - and that from him means a lot."
He wrote in the same letter on 15th July, " I am going to address a public meeting this evening when I shall ask my audience to help me in forming an association in Calcutta through which Viswabharati will be able to establish its communication with the student community of Calcutta. I am sure my appeal will meet with success."
The meeting was held in Rammohan Library Hall on 15th July.
The Servant, news paper, reported about the lecture of Rabindranath,
"  He spoke without notes and tried to recapture for his audience, the majority of whom were young college students, something of the spirit of the past in the making of which he had his share. It was a tale of disappointment which has made its contribution to the life which the poet has been led to choose at the present time.
Rabindranath told us that when on the eve of the Swadeshi agitation he called on his countrymen to begin building up the fabric of their natural life from the village upwards depending solely on their own initiative and on their own resources, disregarding the presence of and activities of bureaucracy, the wise men of the generation declared that a man, who had never been known to have studied Bentham and Mill, had no business to pose as as the constitution maker of his society,  however great he might be as a maker of its verses. The response of the young was eager, but their enthusiasm was short lived . And the disappointment of those days Rabindranath has not been able to shake off; from being the maker of the songs of his people he is today the builder of a centre of international communion which would reconcile the East and the West. "
Anandabazar Patrika wrote on this matter on 16th July;
" Rabindranath said that he had built a centre of communion of East and West, he founded ViswaBharati. He invited many scientists, historians litterateurs to come at least once in a year and deliver lecture here. In that case the students of India will have nothing to travel so long distance to acquire knowledge. No nation can prosper without the amalgamation of knowledge of other countries. In his conclusion he said with this aims and objects he founded a branch of Viswabharati in Calcutta."Rabindranath in his previous letter said to Elmhirst that he would be going to Patidsar and would be returning back on day before Thursday when they would have the first meeting of the association."
He wrote to Ranu on 2nd July, " I am floating over a river nemed Atrai...."   
     

Death anniversary of Satyendranath Dutta Observed

Satyendranath Dutta (also spelt as Satyendranath Datta or Satyendra Nath Dutta) (Bengali: সত্যেন্দ্রনাথ দত্ত) (1882-1922), a Bengali poet, is considered the wizard of rhymes (or ছন্দের যাদুকর - chhonder jadukar in Bengali). Satyendranath Dutta was an expert in many disciplines of intellectual enquiry including medieval Indian history, culture, and mythology.

He was the son of Rajaninath Dutta, who was a trader. He was born at Chupi in Bardhaman on February 11, 1882. His grandfather, Akshay Kumar Datta, was a great thinker, Brahmo social reformer and writer who was the guiding spirit of the Tattwabodhini Patrika. After passing the school leaving examination from the Central Collegiate School, he received his graduate level education from the General Assembly’s Institution in Kolkata. Although he left (what is now) Scottish Church College without taking a degree, his training there helped him immensely for the future. After unsuccessfully to join the ranks of his father in their family business, he quit that to devote his energies entirely to scholarly pursuits
Stayendranath Dutta died on 24th June, 1922 at the age of 41. He was loved by Rabindranath. A condolence meeting of Satyendranath was held on 11th July in Rammohan Library. Rabindranath presided over the meeting. The news was reported in Anandabazar Patrika on 13th July;
" This huge hall could not accommodate the number of people came to attend the meeting to commemorate the death anniversary of Satyendranath Dutta.Many people were seen to remain standing outside the hall. Many females also attended the meeting. It was remarkable that the Bengalees delivered reverence to the departed Poet. Sreejukta Charuchandra Bandyopadhyay read an well thought essay about the poet. Pramath Choudhury delivered a small lecture. Kazi Nazrul Islam, the disciple-poet of Satyendranath, recited a poem, "Sayendranath" written by him. Rabindranath Tagore was so shocked at the news ofthe death of Stayendranath that his voice were choked while he began to say  about him.He said that Satyendranath was loved by him more as his friend than that of  a poet. He was not in a mood to commemorate Satyendranath Dutta in a meeting. I was shocked at the news of his death as I would have felt at the death of one of my near relatives. Some people say that he is only comparable with Rabindranath in respect of Bengali leanguage and prosody.But Rabindranath said , ' Without any submission, I openly declare that he has unparalleled grasp in Bengali language and its rhymes which has no comparison."
Then he read a long poem, " Satyendranath Dutta" and expressed his devotion.  

Death Centenary of Shelley observed in Santiniketan

Percy Bysshe Shelley ( 4 August 1792 – 8 July 1822) was one of the major English Romantic poets and is critically regarded as among the finest lyric poets in the English language. Shelley was famous for his association with John Keats and Lord Byron. The novelist Mary Shelley (née Godwin) was his second wife.

He is most famous for such classic anthology verse works as "Ozymandias", Ode to the West Wind, To a Skylark, Music, When Soft Voices Die, The Cloud and The Masque of Anarchy, which are among the most popular and critically acclaimed poems in the English language. His major works, however, are long visionary poems which included Queen Mab (later reworked as The Daemon of the World), Alastor, The Revolt of Islam, Adonaïs and the unfinished work The Triumph of Life. The Cenci (1819) and Prometheus Unbound (1820) were dramatic plays in five and four acts respectively.
On 8 July 1822, less than a month before his 30th birthday, Shelley drowned in a sudden storm while sailing back from Leghorn (Livorno) to Lerici in his schooner, Don Juan
Before starting for Calcutta on 8th July in the morning, Rabindranath joined the death centenary of Shelley in Santiniketan . It was reported   in Santiniketan in the following lines;
" Two meetings, one in the morning and the other in the evening, were heid to commemorate the death centenary of P.B.Shelley. In the morning Gurudev was present and discussed about the life and works of Shelley. In the evening the two students of Viswa Bharati Sree Amiya Kumar Chakraborty and Pramatha Nath Bishi read two poems of Shelley."
Rabindranath took the train for Calcutta in the afternoon.  

Rabindranath and Viswa Bharati Sammilani - 1922

Viswa Bharati reopened on 28th June after summer vacation. Muktadhara play was published in the printed form as a book of 136 pages. In the declaration page it was written;
Muktadhara/Sree Rabindranath Thakur/Pravasi Karjyalay/210-3-1 Cornwallis Street, Clutta/price-Re 1/-. In the next page pressline was given;
Publisher / Sree Ramananda Chattopadhyay/210-3-1 Cornwallis Stree, Calcutta/ Baishakh-1329 - Ramananda Chattopadhyay printed the book from his own fund and gifted it to Viswa Bharati.A few books of Rabindranath was being printed this time. Rabindranath wrote a letter to Prasanta Chandra on 1st July;
" How the printing of complete work is going. Manilals had finished my days in printing "Lipika". it was published on 17th Aug. " He wrote in that letter, " Govrnor has invited me on 11th July,1922. I shall reach Calcutta on 10th July. Have you arranged anything for Viswabharati Sammilani ? I think no introduction is needed. Start by reading Muktadhara on the first day of the meeting. Then Ksiti Babu and Elmhirst will say something etc. " After a few days on 6th July, he wrote,
" Possipbly, I shall start in the evening train on 8th July and reach Calcutta at night. Ring me on 9th. I like to start the work of Sammilani without prior introduction.and we can do it by starting with Muktadhara. If it is necessary the progeamme you have made may be maitained.Rathi is now in Calcutta. enroll the names of members in consultation with him."
To publicize the aims and objects of Viswa Bharati, the association in the name of Viswabharati Sammilani is to be formed. But collection of fund was the main motto to collect its members. 

Rabindranath and Famine in Russia-1921 (contd-1)

Before the famine, all sides in the Russian Civil Wars of 1918–21 — the Bolsheviks, the Whites, the Anarchists, the seceding nationalities — had provisioned themselves by the ancient method of "living off the land": they seized food from those who grew it, gave it to their armies and supporters, and denied it to their enemies. The Bolshevik government had requisitioned supplies from the peasantry for little or nothing in exchange. This led peasants to drastically reduce their crop production. According to the official Bolshevik position, which is still maintained by some modern Marxists, the rich peasants (kulaks) withheld their surplus grain in order to preserve their lives; statistics indicate that most of the grain and the other food supplies passed through the black market. The Bolsheviks believed peasants were actively trying to undermine the war effort. The Black Book of Communism claims that Lenin ordered the seizure of the food peasants had grown for their own subsistence and their seed grain in retaliation for this "sabotage," leading to widespread peasant revolts. In 1920, Lenin had ordered increased emphasis on food requisitioning from the peasantry.
In Pravasi of Ashar-issue in the Miscellaneous column it was written ; " Informing his inability Rabindranath politely quoted a portion of  the letter written by Vinogradoff in different news papers asking liberal contribution to be sent at his address at Santiniketan. he will acknowledge the receipt of the contribution for helping the famine-stricken  intellectuals of Russia  and sent them  to the proper place."
Two such receipts were available, sent to 1. Dwijendranath Moitra and Amal Hom. On 8th June Rabindranath wrote to Amal Hom, " I was pleased to receive your contribution for the famine-strcken intellectuals of Russia, I shall go to Calcutta very soon to form a fund-raising committee. By this time you talk to Pramatha Banerjee regarding this.If he agrees he may be  given the responsibility of holding the post of the Secretary of the Committee."
He wrote to Dr. Moitra on 14th June, " I am very glad not only because you have contributed to the fund of helping the famine-stricken intellectuals of Russia but also you are aware of the responsibility given to me in this respect. I request you to see that we can fulfill the responsibily given to us. We may feel proud that this approach of helping the distressed persons  of Europe has come to us. This is also a gift from the God. Let us try to make it a grand success." He also added to Dr, Moitra, " Contribution to the fund of  the famine-stricken intellectuals of Russia so far was Rs.2500/-"
Elmhirst wrote in his diary on 20th June;
" Tagore has published a letter in the press begging for help towards a relief fund to be raised for the starving people in Russia. Maclagan,  Governor of the Punjab sent Rs.250/-, Sir Frank Sly, Governor of Central Provinces, sent money....Sir Harcourt Butler, Governor of the U.P.sent a fowery letter, ' anything to which your name is attached  etc. ' Lloyd , Governor of Bombay, wrote through his private secretary to enquire what other governors are giving, 'before the matter is raised before the Governor'. This gave some cause of amusement. Marris Governor of Assam, Willingdon the viceroy, and Lytton, Governor of Bengal, never troubled to answer "
Ananda Bazar wrote on 14th July, " Lord Lytton contributed rs. 150/-"    
Pramatha Banerjee was the son-in-law of Ashutosh Mukherjee.        

Rabindranath and Famine in Russia-1921

The Russian famine of 1921, also known as Povolzhye famine, which began in the early spring of that year and lasted through 1922, was a severe famine that occurred in Bolshevik Russia. The famine, which killed an estimated 5 million, affected mostly the Volga-Ural region.
The famine resulted from the combined effect of economic disturbance, which had already started during World War I, and continued through the disturbances of the Russian Revolution of 1917 and Russian Civil War with its policy of War Communism, especially prodrazvyorstka. One of Russia's intermittent droughts that occurred in 1921 aggravated the situation to the level of the national catastrophe. Hunger was so severe that it was doubtful that seed-grain would be sown rather than eaten. At one point, relief agencies had to give grain to the railroad staff to get their supplies moved.
Apart from the duties in Viswa Bharati, Rabindranath was seen taking initiatives in social service which bears testimony of his  humanism of the universe. Due to famine in the then war-stricken Russia in 1921 and the policy of repression of the Bolsevik Govt.,  many intellectuals of Russia began to fled away from Russia due to economic stringency and want of food.  In 1913 Calcutta University had offered Rabindranath, Prof of Legal affairs of Oxford Paul Vinogradoff and a few others,  honorary D.Lit. in 1913.
Later on at the initiative of Kalidas Nag Vinogradoff came to Jorasanko to be personally introduced with Rabindranath. With that introduction he wrote to Rabindranath on 19th May requesting him to extend his co-operation in collecting funds for poor Russian men of letters. Mentioning his previous introduction he wrote;
" The impression I carried away after our interview was that I had met one who has fitted to represent the great Indian nation that had struggled for centuries with all kinds of hardships - physical and moral. It is to such humanitarians and idealists that I appeal in order to bring to their notice a particularly grievous and pressing need - the need of the intellectual leaders, the brain-workers of Russia who are threatened with destruction."  

.

Rabindranath and Rothenstein -1922

Rabindranath Tagore dedicated his Nobel Prize winner poetry collection Gitanjali to William Rothenstein.
During their visit to Europe, Rabindranath had some difference of opinion on the point of formation a committee for smooth conduct of Viswa Bharati leading to separation even their communication through letters had been stopped. [vide post : May 12, 2012-the last few words of the post-The language of the reply of Rothenstein is also unpalatable;

" Indeed I am neither a believer in machines, nor an Inspector of Schools, nor an enemy of freedom, yet you write as though I were all those things. I think you mistake not myself only but your own self tooFor I believe you to be a poet, an inspirer of noble motives a friend to all the gallant tof life.I do not believe o be a man on & of affairs & I foresee y difficulties in your path if you take that dusty road . your letter does not change my forboding...But I realise that ie is an ignoble thing to be sober when one's fellow guests are intoxicated; it is an attitude above all others to me.You must admit you have taken full advantage of your jug of wine!....So my blessings on your pilgrimage . No more sensible words shall come from me o irk your spirit.You shall lay the foundation of your city with your desire , these will make mortar to hold the bricks & stones together."]

Rothenstein broke the ice and wrote to Rabindranath remembering the heated exchanges between the two on 1st June;

" But this scarcely seems a reason for the dropping of a friendship which was begun and continued, certainly with with great gain and happiness to myself and which you were used to assert was not altogether fruitless for yourself ."

Having received the letter, Rabindranath, too, replied on 13th July describing how his attempt for raising funds for Viswa Bharati had been foiled by the British authority;

" But all this is not to discuss the subject but to offer you an explanation  of my conduct. Now that is given it helps me to feel ashamed and sorry for having indulged in a fit fretfulness for so long and to resume the natural thread of our friendship too precious to be allowed to weaken for any cause whatever. The interruption in our relationship has been growing a burden to me and I am deeply grateful to you for being the first to break it."

Though they had started interchange of letters but they could not establish their previous warmth of their friendship.

Numerical analysis of friendship before and after 1922;

No. of exchanges of letters between Rabindranath and Rothenstein during 1911 to 19 22 ( 12 yrs)= 151

,,  ,,  ,,  ,,  ,,  ,,    ,,   ,,  ,,  ,,  ,,  ,,  ,,  ,,   ,,  ,,  ,,                                          1923 to 1941 (19yrs) ==  50

The editor of their letters Mary M. Lago titled the bunch of letters as 'A Passing Breeze'