Rabindranath Tagore and Victoria Ocampo

Victoria Ocampo CBE (April 7, 1890 – January 27, 1979) was an Argentine writer and intellectual, described by Jorge Luis Borges as La mujer más argentina ("the quintessential Argentine woman"). Best known as an advocate for others and as publisher of the legendary literary magazine Sur, she was also a writer and critic in her own right and one of the most prominent South American women of her time
Born Ramona Victoria Epifanía Rufina Ocampo in Buenos Aires into a high-class society family, she was educated at home by a French governess. She would later write, "the alphabet-book in which I learned to read was French, as was the hand that taught me to draw those first letters
 She was not, of course, ever matriculated at either; her very old, traditional and rich family frowned on formal education for females, and so Victoria had none.
In 1912, Ocampo married Bernando de Estrada (aka Monaco Estrada). The marriage was not happy, and in 1920, the couple separated, and Ocampo began a 13-year affair with her husband's cousin Julián Martínez, a diplomat.
Victoria read Gitanjali translated in French by Andre Gide. Later on she read all the works Rabindranath in English and French and Spanish translation and was attracted to its writer too much.Hence when she heard of Rabindranath's coming to Argentina en-route Peru, she waited anxiously to meet him. She herself wrote, " it was learnt that Rabindranath was going to Lima via Buenos Aires, we who are acquainted with his writings in French and English translation, were waiting for his arrival. His appearance was the most interesting that year  for myself this was the greatest event in my life. She wrote, " La Algeria de leer a Rabindranath Tagore ( The joy of reading Rabindranath Tagore) "
Victoria began her writing in the magazine " La Nacion". In that magazine she wrote three essays on Dante, Raskin and Gandhi. This essay for Rabindranath Tagore was published on 9th Nov . She reached with her friend Adelia Acevedo in Plaza hotel where Rabindranath Tagore was boarded. As per physician's opinion who examined Tagore was not favorable for going to Lima through the hilly path of Andes Mountain for his cardiac problem..So it is better to inform the president of Peru that his guest would not be able to reach Peru and he had to take rest before he ascended his ship for his return. " at this Victoria proposed that Tagore with his secretary Elmhirst might stay in the house of San Isidro which belongs to her parents. but as her parents were reluctant to hand over their newly constructed building .  Another house, Miralrio,  near to the house at San Isidro,  belonging to  her relative Ricardo de Lafuente Mechain was arranged for a week.        
Victoria Ocampo, the host of Rabindranath in Argentina,  wrote a book titled Tagore en las barrancas de San Isidro [ 1961] in Spanish language which was translated in Bengali by Shankha Ghosh, titled Ocampo's Rabindranath.
La Nacion , the daily paper, wrote on 8th Nov, a good number of people, both male and female,came to hotel Plaza  to pay respect to Rabindranath but all of them had to retreat unsatisfied. Two doctors, Dr. Castx and Dr. Beretervide examined him and said that Rabindranath became too much week due to the attack of influenza in the ship.They advised him not to meet any visitor . After few days the instruction could be relaxed and he might be allowed to walk a little. Rabindranath hoped that he might deliver a lecture in the local University after taking rest for a week.
Though Elmhirst wrote that the Doctors examined him on 9th Nov. and permitted him to go out. Then they moved by a car through the garden Palermo.  

Rabindranath Tagore to South America (contd-3)

On 8th Nov Rabindranath wrote to Prasanta Chandra ;
"I was not feeling well for a number of days for pain in my chest, and for weakness. That is why I was thinking of death while lying on my bed at night. The poem "Mrityur Ahbhan"  expresses the suffering of death in the lonely cabin.For the first two or three days I was thinking to go home but later I thought country is for the birth of a person and road is for one's death. "
Day after yesterday, they would reach Buenos Ayres. " I shall examine my body by a doctor. I am feeling what a person feel after a long journey.I am  creating what I feel to create"
It was revealed from the manuscript that the poem " Kritanga" was written at the port Rio-de-Generio". The ship reached Buenos Ayres on 6th Nov at 8 PM and Rabindranath was given a grand felicitation there.
The Standard of Argentinawrote on 7th Nov.;

" In the ship by which Rabindranath came, other important passengers such as British Minister Sir Beilby Alston, in charge of ambassador, with his wife and daughter, Sir Ralph Gore and his wife, Madame Martinez  de Hoz etc. But none was given felicitation. This was arranged only for Tagore. Under the leadership of the well known educationist Ricardo Rojas a reception committee was formed and other organisations had also formed separate reception committees;
" The famous Hindu Poet who arrived on the Andes last evening is only enroute to Peru, where he has been invited to attend the celebration of the  Centenary of the Battle of Ayacucho (The Battle of Ayacucho  was a decisive military encounter during the Peruvian War of Independence. It was the battle that secured the independence of Peru and ensured independence for the rest of South America. It is considered the end of the Spanish American wars of independence , which takes place at Lima on the 9th of next month.) which takes place at Lima on the 9th of next month...
Last evening a delegation from the Syrian-Libanyan Society in Argentina paid homage to the great poet. Mr. Simon Muse preneting the following ; J.M.Nastif, J.J.Bruse, Dr. George Soana ...etc; Where as japanese association were presented by the Vice-President and the Secretary Messrs G. Yashio Shinya and Y. Amano respectively....."
On 7th Nov Rabindranath wrote to Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis;
" We reached the shore yesterday. Now I could understand that I was attacked with Influenza. I had too much sufferings - otherwise I would not have written so many poems. Even I am feeling weakness now a days. Today morning the Doctor came and said that there is no problem in my system, only it is due to over work. This is also what Nilratan Babu said.Any way, I have been received here much cordially which we did not get any where else. The famous Art club of this place has agreed to arrange art exhibition with our materials...Dhiren is coming over here. ..."

The description of the journey of Rabindranath Tagore in Argentina as recorded by Elmhirst was kept in the museum of Victoria Ocampo.