Rabindranath Tagore to China (Penang-1) contd-10

Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the eighth most populous. It is composed of two parts – Penang Island, where the seat of government is, and Seberang Perai (formerly, and occasionally Province Wellesley) on the Malay Peninsula.
Rabindranath reached Penang City in the morning of 30th Mar.The paper Straits Echoe informed on 31st March;
" Handbill informing the arrival of Rabindranath was distributed among the public yesterday  evening. As a result the port became packed up with the people to see Rabindranath. Before the ship touched the port Advocate and Member of Legislative Council, P.K.Nambyar, went by a steamer with some imported persons to welcome Rabindranath..
The Straits Echoe informed on 31 March ;
" A party of Indian Musicians played weird airs on their sharp-pitched instruments......After the great poet had stepped on to the gangway there was a rush to offer the usual floral tribute...with great difficulty that he was got into a car and home away... The distinguished guest was driven to the residence of the Hon. Mr. P.K.Nambyar in Farquhar street, where large crowds beseiged him throughout the day.'
Rabindranath took rest for the whole day and his associates went to see a Chinese Budhist temple on the top of a hill. Rabindranath wrote a letter to Pratima ; " I often think of Puppe (adopted child of Pratima). But I don't think that she has become anxious in my absence.Many a person will be available  to make her listen the song " Mane na mana".
In the lecture of University Institute Rabindranath expressed his experience about Malaya;
" I have traveled many countries but in Malaya I witnessed a wonderful thing which has given  me pleasure. That is -- this is just a ferry where people from different places such as China, Japan, Java, Sumatra, Australia etc  assemble to move from this place to that. Here people from different nation assembled, still no one felt any enmity ..Many working class people from China came to Malaya and occupied most of the places of Malaya. The local people was reluctant to labour.The people came from India are mostly from Madras and some of them are Shikhs.Those who have come from China are from South China.they have gradually gathered wealth, purchased land and secured big rubber plantation......"
It was decided that the ship would start at 6 PM from Penang , and they would have reached the port at 5.30 AM next day but the ship would start at 10 PM. So, Rabindranath was taken by a car to see different places of Penang.They took their dinner in the house of Mr. Nambyar and started for the next port Sweetenham. 

Rabindranath Tagore to China (Rangoon-3)-contd-9

The Sahitya Sammilani of the domiciled Bengalees organised a Welcome ceremony of Rabindranath Tagore in Suneiram Hall on 25th March presided by the editor of Rangoon Mail, Nripendra Chandra Bandyopadhyay. Moyajjem Ali read the felicitation paper of Rabindranath The biographer of Rabindranath wrote;
" In the background   the head Teacher, Mohit Kumar Mukhopadhyay of a local Bengalee school named Bengal Academy and the litterateur Sudhir Kumar Choudhury was actively participating in  construction of felicitation paper and arrangement of Welcome ceremony. They also arranged a dance programme performed by a Burmese lady."  Mohit Kumar was his elder brother and Sudhir Kumar , husband of Sita Devi (daughter of Ramananda) Viswabharati wrote on the dance programme of the Burmese lady in the Sahitya Sammilani;
"provided the best entertainment for the poet by organising a classical Burmese dance party to the accompaniment of Burmese orchestra dominated by a dainty Burmese Girl interpreting the delicate dance rhythms of Burma, which fascinated the poet and provoked the celebrated artist Nandalal Bose to draw a series of quick sketches while the dance was going on."
Rabindranath wrote to Ranu;
" day before yesterday in the evening I witnessed a dance programme of a Burmese girl. Her dance was very sweet. it was as if the gentle breeze was blowing over the leaves sometimes from the east and sometimes from the south which was making it emotional."
Kalidas Nag took the note of the lecture delivered by Rabindranath at the ceremony of Sahitya Sammilani.
The arrival of Rabindranath created eagerness among the residents of Rangoon about Viswabharati. To convert this eagerness into monitory benefit Elmhirst wanted to form a branch of Viswabharati Sammilani. With this object he wrote to Rathindranath to send immediately with Sudhir Kumar or Mohit Kumar the forms of ordinary members and life members and also the rules and regulations of Viswabharati Sammilani.   

Rabindranath Tagore to China ( Rangoon-2) - contd - 8

In the evening of 24th March at 5.30 PM in the biggest community hall Jubilee Hall of the city Rabindranath was greeted in a citizens welcome ceremony in the presence of  5500 persons which was presided by U.Tuk Kyi, MLA and was offered a felicitation paper. Some lines  of the felicitation was as follows;
" We greet you in the name of that universal culture which you have promoted with admirable devotion and singleness of aim. We greet you in the name of Human Brotherhood, the inculcation of which in East and West has been with you a consuming passion. We greet you as a votary of Truth sensed through beauty. We greet you as one representing the rebirth of Asia, as one who has thrown across the chasm of ignorance and misunderstanding a bridge of future comprehension between Asia and Eur-America. We greet you as the lineal descendant of philosopher-seers of Ancient India, who at the dawn of civilization proclaimed the Unity of Life and knew Humanity for one family transcending barriers of race and clime."
In reply to the Welcome address Rabindranath gave long speech ; He said;
" Every great nation have contributed something which happened to be the world's treasure. In ancient time India established a relation with the rest of the world which was not based upon their trade or extension of their territory. That was based on some great ideals. In the glorified past of the nation the messengers of the religious and cultural field of India went to distant places and informed them that they had brought something which would help them to tie their friendship for ever.  the great contribution of Hindu Philosophy is the strength of the unity."
Elmhirst wrote to Rabindranath on 26th March;
" The local Gujrathi people wanted to utilize the occasion politically."

Rabindranath Tagore to China (Rangoon-1) - contd- 7

Tagore and Burma
Tagore visited Burma three times during the colonial period. He visited Shwedagon Pagoda on May 5, 1916, and Indians in Rangoon celebrated his birthday on May 8 that year at Jubilee Hall in Rangoon. He attended the “Bengali Literature Conference” held in Rangoon on March 24, 1924, and stayed in Rangoon for four days. An inscription engraved in both Burmese and English marks his visit to a building at No. 392-396 Merchant Street, Rangoon, on the east wall of “Guardian Magazine.” He also visited Burma from October 22-24, 1927, for the Dewali Festival.
During his first visit, he noted that Indians were a majority and Burmese were a minority in Rangoon. He wrote, “Burma did not look like Burma when I reached there. Rangoon just exists on a map and it’s as if it didn’t really exist on the ground. In other words, the city does not look like a tree growing from the ground, it looks like a bubble drifting in the water.”
Admirers of Tagore’s literature established the “Burma- Tagore Association” in 1952. Burmese writer Paragu translated at least five books by Tagore. Many of his poems and stories were translated by other writers including Maung Phyu, Zaw Gyi, Min Thu Wun, Mya Than Tint, Myint Soe Hlaing and Hein Latt.

The well-known works of Tagore in Burmese are Gitanjali, Gardener, Stray Birds, and Picking Fruits and Sitra.
On 24th March, 1924, in the morning at about 8 AM before the ship touched the shore and could anchor, some important members of reception committee came to the ship by a steamer and accorded welcome to Rabindranath. The ship having reached the shore a renowned businessman J.A.K.Jamal garlanded Rabindranath and a Burmese lady offered a bunch of flowers to him to welcome him. Then they fetched Rabidranath to a beautiful house at Bigonded Street.The Governor of Burma Sir Harcourt Butler greeted them to offer a lunch. The diary of Kalidas Nag noted that the invitation of the Governor of Burma and the Chinese Community, by this time, reached the ship by wire on 22 nd March..

Rabindranath Tagore to China (contd-6)

The associates of Rabindranath had a responsibility that they had to report daily about Rabindranath enroute their journey. Elmhirst was the Secretary of Rabindranath- he frequently sent report about Rabindranath to Rathindranath. The report and the paper cutting sent by Elmmhirst was printed in the Bulletin of Santiniketan in subsequent two issues. Moreover he had another duty. he had to take down the note of the lecture delivered by Rabindranath and print those reports.According to the routine of work of his associates Kshitimohan Sen informed on 23rd March that Rabindsranath had undertaken the responsibility of writing the lecture notes of China.. He wrote that the first lecture note was to some extent lengthy. He had to edit the first one and make the second note. Kalidas Nag took notes in his dairy  which contained many detailed information.this was subsequently published in the book, "Kabir Sange Eksodin"
It was in the habit Rabindranath to describe informations of his journey  in letters written to different persons. 

Rabindranath Tagore to China - 1924 (contd-5)

The Communist Party of China was established in 1921. But the intellectuals and the young generation came across with the English translation just after its publication i.e. in 1913 and the Chinese translation of the English version was started in 1915 and  within 1922, most of Rabindranath's lyrics, drama, novel, essays were translated - in some cases more than once. Rabindranath's writings had extended influence on Chinese literature specially on poems.  Sisir Kumar Das and Taan Oen in their book " Bitarkita Atithi" had discussed thoroughly about these translations and influence of Tagore on those translations.
But from the end of nineteenth century the Marxian thought and its programme of action had spread throughout China in such a way that no other ideas and thoughts were not acceptable to them and other thoughts and ideas were reproachable . The same thing happened in the case of Rabinderanath. Those who were in favour of Rabindranath's writings, began to condeemn after getting Marxian thoughts.
The report Elmhirst supplied in this country after coming from China explained fully so that the socio-political situation made Rabindranath hesitant in writing lecture notes for China. This hesitation was expressed in the letter written by Rabindranath to Romand Rollaind;

"...I myself have a kind of civil war constantly going on in my own nature between my personality at a creative artist who necessarily must be solitary and that as an idealist who must realise himself through works of a complex character needing a large field of collaboration with a large body of men....I suppose a proper rhythm is possible to be attained in which both may be harmonised, and my work in the heart of the crowd may find its grace through the touch of breath that comes from the solitude of the creative mind...I earnestly hope that I shall be rescued in time before I die. In the mean time I go to China, in what capacity I donot know. Is it as a poet, or as a bearer of good advice and sound common sense ?"    

Rabindramnath Tagore to China - 1924 (contd-4)

The information given by Hsu Chi-mo (pic-lt)was not exaggerated. The crisis of China at that time was the contradiction between the two contradictory ideals .The exploitation by different foreign powers completely devastated the political, economical, and cultural life of China. The contradiction between the ideals of communism  implemented in Soviet Russia  influenced the youths and the intellectuals and the old traditional values of  distorted China followed by a section of older people. This contradiction had rightly explained in the book written,
" Bitarkita Atithi" by Sisir Kumar Das (pic-rt) and Taan Oen. According to them ;
" When Rabindranath went to China, the country was involved in a tempestuous weather determined to a change. A few years ago, an unprecedented revolution had started in Language and Literature. For the last five to seven years the elites wanted a radical change in language, idea in religion, style of writing, social system, and politics. A few years ago in 1919 a historical incident took place on 4th May in China.
 (The May Fourth Movement (traditional Chinese: 五四運動; simplified Chinese: 五四运动; pinyin: Wǔsì Yùndòng) was an anti-imperialist, cultural, and political movement growing out of student demonstrations in Beijing on May 4, 1919, protesting the Chinese government's weak response to the Treaty of Versailles, especially the Shandong Problem. These demonstrations sparked national protests and marked the upsurge of Chinese nationalism, a shift towards political mobilization and away from cultural activities, and a move towards populist base rather than intellectual elites.

The broader use of the term "May Fourth Movement" often refers to the period during 1915-1921 more often called the New Culture Movement.)

The Communist Party of China was established in 1921. Both the Rightist and the Leftist Party of China wanted a change in Social and Political systems in China and to accelerate this   a section of people wanted a rapid transformation to industrialisation. With the help of technical development the old ideas of religion to be totally iradicated..... The new society of China got its lesson either from Japan or from Europe and America.They observed that Japan got its military strength from technical development ( China too experienced its military strength) and became equal in status with Europe by economic development. Observing the days of japan, the intellectuals of China decided to develop technical knowledge and with the help of technical development they can fight out the inertia of spiritualism. In western philosophy the thinking of John Due and Bertrand Russel inspired a  section of people who wanted to a change in the administration dominated by  Confucious thought. On the other hand, another section inspired by the ideals of Russian Revolution and Marxian thoughts wanted to do the same thing.Since 4th May movement many cultural organisations developed who were translating the foreign literatures ( Rabindra-sahitya was one among them).At the same time a political upliftment took place due to the influence of  Marxian thought."         

                                                                                                  

Rabindranath Tagore to China - 1924 (contd-3)

From the letter written to

Ranu by Rabindranath on 11Jan, 1923, it was known that a gentleman from China came to invite him to visit to China. This request was made to him by the youths of China to visit north and south of this country for three months. When Elmhirst went to China, Rabindranath requested him to enquire about the issue. It was probable that Elmhirst had sent him some positive information. In reply to that Rabindranath wrote two cablegrams , one to Elmhirst and the other to the person of the Lecture Association, invited him. If the second one didn't reach the addressee, Leonard would inform the the secretary of his going there. Having got the news, the Secretary of the organisation F.C.Tsiang had written on 6 Jan, 1923 to Rabindranath;
" We just received from Elmhirst your cablegram to himand are exceedingly happy to know that you are already atrranging to come  over.  We have a suspicion that you might have replied us directly as well, but as we didn't give sufficient address the message might have been  miscarried somehow or other. In any case we are glad that you have made up mind to visit China, and the news has proved a tremendous joy to all your admirers already. We are expecting your arrival either end of July or beginning of Aug. Please let us know the exact date directly you have booked your passage. We are to remit you by cable the sum of $1000, in a day or two, to cover the expenses of your first voyage.
Address for cable; " Lingchichas Nanchangchieh Peking."
18th Oct 1923 North China Star   informed in the title "Indian Philosopher Will Lecture in Peking next",  Spring."  Rabindranath at the invitation of Peking University will deliver lectures for a month.
In Madras the paper Swarajya  [11 Nov] issued a warning message;
" The news paper report that Rabibabu's visit to China will do no good to himself or to the Chinese, as the political conditions are so unsettled, and the bandits so active all over China that the people will not listen to the author of Gitanjali. Besides the Chinese are downright materialists today, and Rabi Babu's idealism, which does not promise gold, opium, and concubines is not likely to appeal them." But the Chinese poet Hsu Chi-mo [tsemon Hsu, 1896-1931]on 27 dec wrote a letter to Rabindranath protesting the above statement;
" ...Perhaps India is not well informed of the literary news in China. We have been doing well in preparing ourselves in welcoming you when you arrive. Nearly all the leading magazines here have published articles on you and special numbers are issued in honour of your visit. Most of your works in English have appeared in Chinese translation, some in more than one version. never before has a single witer, Eastern or Western , excited so much genuine interest in the heart of our young nations......"Ananda bazar Patrika published the Bengali translation of the letter.           

Rabindranath Tagore to China - 1924 (contd-2)

In the evening of the day before Rabindranath would sail for China , a farewell meeting was arranged in the courtyard of Alipore Weather Office by Viswabharati Sammilani where 500 persons from east and west were present. He was offered a felicitation paper with 7 Slokas in 14 lines in Sanskrit language. Ananda Bazar Patrika on 23rd March;
" The poet described his motto of visiting China. He wants to carry message from India to the remotest corner of the East (China and Japan). He will try to re-establish the relation of educational, cultural and  religious so that a scope for studying Sanskrit and Buddhism would establish in the modern light. He will try his level best to see these things being done. The Statesman wrote on 21st Mar,1924, 
" Light refreshments and conversazione followed. The occasion was used by the Marcony Company, who broadcasted a concert from the Temple Chambers and the whole gathering listened in ".
On 21st March, 1924, at 7 am a foreign ship company in the name " Ethiopia"Rabindranath with his associates started for China via Singapore. Among the associates there were, Gretchen Green, Elmhirst, Kshitimohan Sen, Nanda Lal Basu, Kalidas Nag and the prince of Limdi, GhanaThe prince of Limdy also shyam Singji. " In the news circulated by Ananda Bazar it was mentioned that Peking University (Lecture Association)will bear the cost of traveling expenses , to and fro, from China. To bear the traveling expenses of Rabindranath to other countries to and from China and the expenses incurred by Pandit Kshitimohan Sashtri Yugal Kishore Birla has already contributed Rs. 10,000/-only. Moreover, Raja Baldeo Das Birla and Babu Yugal Kishore Birla has already contributed to Viswabharati Rs. 20,000/- and Rs. 3000/- only respectively. The expenses of Nanda lal Basu will be borne partly by Viswabharati and partly by the contribution of the Association of Development of Art and Craft. The expenses of Elmhirst and Gretchen would be borne by the contribution of Dorothy in the Surul-fund.The prince of Limdy became their co-passenger. The Secretary of Viswabharati at the time of reporting informed that Rabindranath may visit to Japan, Indo-China, Cambodia, Shyam and Java. But he could not do that, he had gone only to China and Japan this time..  

Rabindranath Tagore to China-1924 (contd-1)

Rabindranath wrote to Ranu , " Day after yesterday on 18th March in the evening train I am going to Calcutta".

Rabindranath started his speech singing the song,  " Apnake Ei jana amar phurabena "  and  delivered before his visit to China  emphatically , " I shall make this place the nest of whole world. The whole world will be united here in a single nest and I shall feel the infinite strength of the eternity...... "       

Rabindranath Tagore to China-1924

The date for visit to China from Calcutta was settled on 21st March 1924. On 15th March Rabindranath wrote to Ranu, "He couldn't leave Ashram for writing lecture note for China". He started writing his note when he was in Banaras at Ranu's place. But he could not write more than 4/5 pages due to the disturbance created by Ranu. He could not proceed more here because, " there is  a similar element like Ranu in his mind - that is my passion of poems and songs. When I was going to write lecture for China , she forcibly opens the door and calls me , "Hi, poet.", I answered, "wait a bit, I am busy now." She  asked, "Poet, open the door once. I shall leave the room seeing you once. I open the door  -  she came and at once occupy my mind and began humming. She keeps her word. When I finish writing a poem, she leaves the place.But so what, the hummimg sound in my brain does not stop leaving no scope of writing lecture notes."
Rabindranath informed at the end of this letter; " Miss Green, is going to her country now.She will go to China along with us. Then she will go to America.Her farewell programme was arranged to day.In the veranda and  in front of the Library, floor was painted with white zinc,decorated with flowers. She was greeted by blowing  the conch and  offered a costly peacock coloured Cloth and a little bit of amusement was done. The girls sung the song "bhara thak, bhara thak"

Grechen Green wrote in her autobiography about the incident; " In front of the white columns of the library, an Eastern  audience hall was set for the  ceremony of  Baroni (acceptance), performed for me because I am accepted in India. I stood before the poet in the centre of a circle, seven women in scarlet saris circling round me to purfy with water and fire. They bore offerings on a petah (gift dish0 of rice-grains and fruit, a red marriage sari and a wedding bracelet of carved iron. The poet spoke words of welcmoe and gave me a crystal amulet, the girls sang songs of evening and the full moon looked on."           

Rabindranath and Calcutta University

The acting Register of Calcutta University invited Rabindranath in a letter dated 22 Sept 1923, to accept the post of readership  and deliver some lectures on "literature" with an honorarium  of Rs 2000/- only. In reply to this invitation Rabindranath wrote to Shyamaprasad Mukhopadhyay on 13 Feb 1924; " I could not find any time to write my lecture note for Calcutta University and it is sure I shall not find any time in near future. But since I am bound to do it by  my promise, I should not neglect my duty. Any way, if it is not against the present convention I shall take classes orally before I go for China.But I have to take leave befor ethe middle of March, 1924. I must go to preside over a meeting organised by Dr. Gopal Chatterjee . If you can manage to come to me, we can discuss more. I also like to call on your father before  I visit to China - how it be materialised , we can discuss."  !st, 2nd, and 3rd March, 1924 Rabindranath delivered three lectures orally, as per the previous promise. The lecture notes were taken down, edited and titled as " Literature", "Truth and theories" and "Creation"

 published in "Sahityer Pathe"

Rabindranath and Nagendranath Gangopadhyay-1924.

Nagendranath Gangopadhyay, the youngest son-in-law of Rabindranath, was appointed as a Professor against the post of Guruprasad Singh Professor of Agriculture in Calcutta University by the recommendation of Sir Ashutosh Mukhopadhyay with the salary of Rs. 500/- only. As per the terms and conditions of the service he had to upgrade his qualification by research work with full pay protection for two years. He went to England with full pay protection on April 1923 but to inject sorrow in the minds of Mira Devi he took along with him by force his son Nitindranath in the excuse of his study.But the salary of Rs. 500/- was not sufficient for the extravagant Nagendranath to cope with his expenditure and he did not feel shy of asking money frequently from Rabindranath who did not hesitate to satisfy his demands and wrote to Nagendranath, on 10 April 1923" , " I have become penniless and under debt or I could have supported you. But he assured other kinds help in Europe that he would have no difficulty in any of the big cities by simply citing my name. he woud get help."

Rabindranath and Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay (1876-1938)

In the month of Jan 1924, an incident happened in which Sarat Chandra became disappointed with Rabindranath. He wrote "Shoroshi", the drama form of "Dena- Paona" novel written by him. He requested Rabindranath to write a few songs for "Shoroshi". In reply Rabindranath declined the proposal due to his illness. Being disappointed Sarat Chandra wrote him on 16th Jan, 1924
" We all know that you have no time in your multifacet activities. Still I thought that to write songs is just to talk you are doing always. Moreover, my book would have been successful by the inclusion of  your song."
Gopal Chandra Roy informed that Sarat Chandra got so much annoyed that he did not make a correspondence with Rabindranath.

Rabindranath and Ranu -1924

Rabindranath was not goin on well. He went for a day or two to calcutta to get a change and wrote on 4th Feb 1924 to Ranu,
" Being anxious for my health I came to Calcutta. I thought that some parts of my body get damaged. I am reluctant to go on with wrong parts of my body. I examined my body top to bottom with the help of Dr, Nilratan Sarkar who commented that nothing had happened, no parts of your body are damaged. He also added that my pulse is just like a growing youth. I feel tired frequently because my energy specially the energy of my heart wants to be exhausted by doing things for the world. The stock of energy one must keep for a long journey, I want to spend carelessly that stock of my energy. Now I want to take some rest so that I can accumulate some energy for my next movement."
Not only Dr. Nilratan Sircar, the best Physicians of abroad opined  the same remark after examining the health of Rabindranath.
While performing rehearsal of the drama "Bisarjan" Ranu got intimate relation with some youths as she was ignorant about practical world and these incidents get complicated with the jokes made by Rabindranath. Ranu even could not folloow the apparent passion shown to her by Rabindranath. The letter written on 4th feb 1924 by Rabindranath to Ranu revealed the whole story ;
" My sweet girl, keep yourself cool. I became anxious only for you. I was sorry to say I myself responsible for  the complex situation you have been entangled.I am sorry because in your tender age when you should keep yourself busy with your study, you have been thrown into such a complex situation.     
   

(Video)Tomay Gaan Shonabo Amrita Dutta Rabindra Sangeet From Ganer Opare

On 9th february, 1924, in the evening of Sreepanchamee in Kalabhavan of Santiniketan Basanta Utsab was celebrated. This was published in detail in Santiniketan of Falgun issue.
" On Sreepanchamee in the evening Basanata Utsab was held gorgeously in musical tune.Respected Nandalal BAbu, Surendra Babu, and the students of Kalabhavan made it befitting by their whole day labour. On one side arrangements had been made for sitting of the ministrels with colourful pandel, along with two engraved- vina.At the middle at a slight height there was a seat for Gurudev, surrounding him there were students of Dinu Babu. On both sides of it there were arrangements of seats for the inhabitants of Ashram.
 Gurudev sung on that day " tomay gaan sonabo..."
Narrating  the incident Elmhirst wrote to Ranu,
" I wish you'd been here this evening, it was our spring  celebration  ; I know you'd have appreciated it so much more than I could, though heaven knows, I wouldn't have missed it for worlds...Surul had a special dance in the Art school arranged for its little family ; all were dressed for the occasion.
There was a feast of song ; best of all solo from Gurudev full of tune & feeling . There are times now when his ear fails him ; one finds oneself anxiously awaiting the false note , but tonight there was never a suggestion even of anything but the most perfect rendering....Gurudev is full of vigour and fun, even turning out new ideas, but not really fit & I only hope the sea voyage & the change of climate will work a miracle. Now he can't get alone & though he revelled I believe during his two days here in the tree house." 

Rabindranath and Andree Karpeles

In the year 1923, Andree Karpeles stayed fora few months in Santiniketan and organised some programme of craftsman in Kalabhavan.She promised her programme which was published in Ananda Bazar She would come again in Santiniketan in coming winter. But she could not come, only a good news of her marriage arrived.She married a young Scandinivian of gigantic figure for which Rabindranath sometimes said sarcastically to Andree "your big Scandinivian". He wrote her on 26th Jan 1924,
"...I forgive your husband of wrenching you away from us with from us with such a sudden jerk - and I hope you understand what a degree of generosity that forgiveness of mine represents....
Your own cottage here still remains vacant, I have come to its neighbouhood occupying the bunglow which for sometimes belonged to Pearson . You know we all mourn his loss though it is true that death for a man like him is merely a physical fact, his living spirit will always dwell in the heart of the Ashram.
I have been travelling a great deal from province to province pursuing the elusive lure of money. This is a hateful task which attacks one's bloom of life and it has at least brought upon me the wintry touch of a premature old age when I am barely 63. I try to use the torn remnants of my leisure in composing songs which occasionally makes me forget that I have nearly squandered away my gift of youth."                   '              

Death of Pearson ...(contd-1)

In a condolence meeting organised by the students of Ashram on 25th Dec in Santiniketan, Rabindranath said;
" Today we want recollect specially the activities of our one of the best friend Pearson who died in an accident while going in a train. He was supposed to come over here and we were waiting for him but he could not. We can't forget the loss we incurred due to his death. But if we see him in the line of loss we have undergone, we shall undermine him. The loss of the wealth lying outside ownself , that is simply a loss. 

Death of Pearson in an accident on 18th Sept, 1923

Pearson was not going on well in India. At the beginning of the year 1923, he went to England. He recovered after few days of passing with his family members . With a view to gain some experience by visiting personally some ideal schools at Holland and other places of Europe, he started fgor Europe. He met there with Romain Rolland and took a train from Milan with his friend Betman to go to Florence. He was going to see the natural scenery through the window and peeped through the window of the door of the train leaning his body outside the train. But as the door was not locked properly, he felldown fron the running train. It was on 18th Sept, 1923.
Some workers working at the railway line took his seriously woonded body to a house and then with the help of an ambulence he was shifted to a hospital in Pistola. he suffered with utmost patience for some days and then died on 25th Sept at about 4,30 pm. His brother Edgar and Sister Dorothy was present at his death bed. Dorothy informed Andrews the news by telegram which reached him on 30th Sept. when Rabindranath was in Calcutta. The  reactions of Andrews after getting the information were not known . On the next day he wrote a letter to Rothesein;
"  I do not know if you have heard of Pearson's deathfrom accident in italy. It is a great loss to our Ashram, and to me personally, to which it will be hard for us to be reconciled.To commemorate the death of Pearson  a fund was created. The collected amount will be spent for the development of a hospital started by him. With that intention an advertisement was given in the magazine " Modern Review" in the following lines;
" He is not known to the wide public, but we feel sure that his loss is not merely a loss to the individuals who came into intimate touch with him. We seldom met with anyone whose love of humanity was so concretely real, whose ideal of service so assimilated to his personality as it had been with him ... His patriotism was for the world of man, he intimately suffered for all injustice or cruelty inflicted upon any people in any part of the earth,and his chivalrous attempt to befriend them he bravely courted punishment from his own countrymen. He had accepted Santiniketan Asram for his home. where he felt he could realise his desire to serve the cause of humanity and express his love for India which which was deeply genuine in his nature, all his aspirations of life centering round her."

Rabindranath and Calcutta University

The acting Register J.C. Chatterjee wrote  a letter to Rabindranath ;
I am directed by the Vice-Chacellor and Syndicate to inform you that on the recommendation of the Executive Committee of the Council of Post Graduate teaching in Arts, which has been adopted by the Senate, you have been appointed a University Reader to   in Arts, to deliver a course of lectures on Sahitya, on an honorarium of Rs. 2000/- . Probably this was being discussed since long. A letter was available in this regard written by Rabindranath on 5th July to Ashutosh Mukhopadhyay.
"I have been requested to deliver lecture in the classes of Calcutta University, i am also agreeable to that.But the honorarium fixed for me is not acceptable to me. I have also delivered lectures in foreign University and I donot want to place my demand mentioning the honorarium I have received in those Universities. But if I see any difference of the honorarium you have offered to others, I shall not feel encouraged to take this responsibility.I request you to rethink the issue and fix an honorarium which befits my prestige. "
The objection, perhaps, was first raised by Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis. on 3rd July in a letter written to Rabindranath;

" Ashu babu wanted 6 lectures on a payment of Rs.2000/- which he  himself will publish them. Nothing can be so  ridiculous because Abani Babu gets 6000/- for 6 lectures". It was expected that the prestige of Rabindranath was assured and Rabindranath delivered lectures for three days in the Senate Hall and those lectures were published in the magazine "Bangabani" run by Mukherjee family.