On 25th Oct,1921, in a Japanese ship , Kleist, Leonard Elmhirst and Pearson started for India in a cabin from the port Marcellis of France. From the Diary of Leonard it was learnt, "They were co-passenger upto to port Eden." Later on Pearson informed Leonard that the Police was after him from Bombay port." Probably he came to Shantiniketan at the middle of Nov. He became a companion of Rabindranath in his journey to japan and America in 1916. He stayed in Japan when they were returning to India. now, after about half past five years he returned to India. He constructed a house while he was in Ashram . But in his absence the house named "Dwarik" was made a two storied building . At first it was by Rabindranath and others and later on it was used as the centre of Kalabhavan. This time he constucted a house in Shantiniketan by the side of Konark with mud, termed "Mrinmayee"
Elmhirst reached Calcutta on 20th Nov, earlier than Pearson did.He wanted to start for Shantiniketan on the same date. But as because Dorothy had an appointment with a journalist, Gertrude Emerson of the paper Asia of which she was the editor.
He wrote to Dorothy on 24th Nov that he had met Gurle, the Private Secretary of the Governor of Bengal. "He is trusted by Indians and loved by them.. is a great friend of Tagore's and Shantiniketan. he was of opinion that one can keep good relation with the English even maintaining his freedom to work. Then the plan of reconstruction of villages would be easier. He wanted to maintain good relation with Gurle and other Englishmen and there was difficulty in obtaining cooperation from Govt. in the work of Sriniketan.
Having reached Bolpur station at 10 pm , he found that Pearson and Rathindranath were waiting for him. They came to Shantiniketan by motor and he began to stay at the 2nd floor of the guest house of Shantiniketan.
On the next day, 28. Nov, Pearson came and fetched him to Rabindranath. Under a tree both of them had some talks.Rabindranath cordially greeted him and took him to Uttarayan.Sitting on a wall made of earth, Rabindranath and Leonard began to talk about the planning of reconstruction of villages. Leonard wrote in his Diary named "Sriniketan", " At each point in my sketch he would interrupt. 'That is just what I had in my mind', or 'for years have been waiting and hoping for something like this. After some time Rabindranath made him acquainted with Santosh Chandra and asked him to work with Rathindranath and Santosh Chandra.
