Rabisarani

The session of Social Congress held at Beadon Square in Calcutta (now Kolkata), the same venue where the 12th annual Congress session also held. Social Congress is presided over by Narendranath Sen.

Maghotsav celebrated at Maharshi Bhavan. Ten songs written by Rabindranath sung on the occasion.

• Sundara Bahe Ananda Mandanil 23rd January, 1897

  ---

• Shital Taba Pada Chhaya 23rd January, 1897

  ---

• Aji Kon Dhan Hote Bishwe Amare 23rd January, 1897

  ---

• Ar Kata Dure Achhe Se Ananda Dham 23rd January, 1897

  ---

• Aji Mama Man Chahe Jiban Bandhure 23rd January, 1897

  ---

• Harashe Jago Aji 23rd January, 1897

  ---

• E Ki Karuna Karunamay 23rd January, 1897

  ---

• Amar Satya Mithya Sakali Bhulaye Dao 23rd January, 1897

  ---

• Aji Raj Asane Tomare Basaiba 23rd January, 1897

  ---

• Ke Jay Amrita-Dham-Jatri 23rd January, 1897

  ---

The Dramatic Club set up earlier on by Abanindranath and others folds up, and now replaced by Khamkheali Club initiated by Rabindranath and Gaganendranath. Among the invitees are Atulprasad Sen and Chittaranjan Das. Rabindranath reads a story written by him later published under the title Durasha.

Rabindranath takes the Maharani of Koochbihar on a visit to Santiniketan.

Novelist Prabhatkumar Mukhopadhyay is in Calcutta (now Kolkata) for a few days, meets Rabindranath at Jorasanko. Rabindranath takes him along to see Maharshi at his Park St. residence.

Rabindranath in Patisar and later Sahajadpur.

Swami Vivekananda is already given a civic reception at Sobhabazar Rajbari on behalf of the people of Calcutta (now Kolkata), after he returns from his first tour of America.

Swami Vivekananda delivers an address on Vedanta at a meeting held at the Star Theatre, Calcutta (now Kolkata). The meeting is presided over by Narendranath Sen, editor of the Indian Mirror.

Rabindranath returns to Calcutta (now Kolkata) from Sahajadpur.

Rabindranath reads one of his famous comedy Baikunther Khata at a session of the Khamkheali Sabha.

The comedy Baikunther Khata - written by Rabindranath, is published.

At this time, poet begins writing the poems that are later collected in the poetry book Kalpana.

Rabindranath writes the first draft of his poem Duhsamay.

Poet writes Varshamangal celebrating the arrival of rains and renewal of life -- surely the greatest lyric poem of its kind in the language.

Poet writes the poem Chaitrarajani.

Poet writes the poem Chaurapanchasika.

Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das's sister and a major artiste of Rabindrasangeet (See under 1895). Rathindranath records in his memoirs, "…Between spells of writing he (Rabindranath) would be in the mood foe songs; then he would have Amaladidi brought over from Kolkata…. Then the songs would come, father and Amaladidi would by turn sing song after song. The vast expanse of water stretched away to the horizon. The melodies of the songs would ripple across the sheet of water and drifting merge with regions far away..."

The Khamkheali Sabha, though short-lived, flourished briefly at this time. Rathindranath recalls, "…It had no rules whatever and consisted of... mutual friends and acquaintances. It owed its existence to the enthusiasm of father and Baludada…mainly consisted of writers, poets, musicians...each month a member took his turn to invite the other members to his house where the Sabha was held...lavish arrangements were made to provide refreshments...main agenda was reading poetry or short stories, singing songs to the accompaniment of instruments and performing short plays."

The comedy Baikunther Khatha performed at a session of the Khamkheali Sabha hosted by Gaganendranath at his house.

Rabindranath himself plays the role of Kedar in the comedy Baikunther Khata performed at Khamkheali Sabha hosted by Gaganendranath at his house.

Famous thespian and playwright Girish Chandra Ghosh highly praises the performance of Baikunther Khata performed at the Khamkheali Sabha hosted at Gaganendranath's house.

Maharshi Debendranath Tagore's 81st birthday celebrated at the Park St. residence.

Rabindranath attends Maharshi Debendranath Tagore's 81st birthday celebration at the Park St. residence.

Poet is in Santiniketan with Dwipendranath, prolific as ever, writes eight poems in as many days, some of these deservedly praised as masterpieces.

• Bhrastalagna 20th May, 1897

  ---

• Marjana 21st May, 1897

  ---

• Swapna 22nd May, 1897

  ---

• Dhara Pada 23rd May, 1897

  ---

• Madan Bhasmer Purbe 24th May, 1897

  ---

• Madan Bhasmer Par 25th May, 1897

  ---

• Spardha 26th May, 1897

  ---

• Piyasi 27th May, 1897

  ---

Poet writes the poem Pasarini.

Bengal Provincial Conference held this year at Natore in Rajsahi, at the initiative of the Maharaja of Natore, from 10th to 12th June. Satyendranath Tagore presides over the conference on 10th June. Upcoming song is sung by Tagore. Rabindranath insists that conference be conducted in Bengali instead of English, supported by others. Congress top brass annoyed. Compromise worked out; Rabindranath translates into Bengali speeches delivered in English. Famous orator Lalmohan Ghosh speaks in Bengali, Rabindranath likes it.

An earthquake hits Bengal, causing widespread damage. Jorasanko mansion is also slightly damaged.

Poet's wife Mrinalini Devi suffers head injury.

As Mrinalini Devi suffers a head injury, Rabindranath hastens back to Calcutta(now Kolkata).

Rabindranath and others from Jorasanko attend the annual function of the Bhawanipore Brahmasamaj.

Perhaps in a session of Khamkheali Sabha, Rabindranath reads a poem Lokeshwari originally composed by Abanindranath Tagore as Debipratima.

The friendship between Rabindranath and Ramendrasundar deepens and Rabindranath invites Ramendrasundar Trivedi, a regular contributor to the Sadhana to Khamkheali Sabha.

Rabindranath writes the poem Jagadish Chandra Basu celebrating the breakthrough achieved by his dear friend in science.

Atulprasad Sen, then a rising barrister and new member of Khamkheali Sabha, hosts a session at his house.

Rabindranath spends the months of Shravan and Bhadra in Calcutta (now Kolkata).

Younger brother of well known scholar Hirendranath Dutta is Rabindranath's favourite; Hirendranath Dutta's company Classic Theatre starts performing Raja o Rani at Emerald Theatre.

Maharshi allots a plot of land within the precincts of the Jorasanko establishment for Rabindranath to build his own house, later known as Lalbari.

Writes a few songs after a long lull.

• Bhaktahridibikash Pranabimohan

  ---

• Pantha ekhono keno

  ---

• Ananda ushakale mangala rabi

  ---

• Bahe nirantara ananta anandadhara

  ---

• Keno dhore rakha, o je

  ---

• Britha geyechhi bahu gaan 12th September, 1897

  ---

• Keno bajao kankana

  ---

Special performance staged for Rabindranath and Maharaja of Natore.

Journeying by boat again to Shilaidaha, thence to Sahajadpur. The familiar and congenial riverbed landscape starts shaping into songs the lyrical impulse, words and tunes already germinating in his imagination.

Composes quite a few songs from 21st to 28th September.

• Heria shyamal ghana 21st September, 1897

  ---

• Ebar chalinu tabe 22nd September, 1897

  ---

• Keno jamini na jete 22nd September, 1897

  ---

• Kiser tare ashru 22nd September, 1897

  ---

• Ami kebali swapana 23rd September, 1897

  ---

• Bhalobeshe sakhi nibhrite 23rd September, 1897

  ---

• Tumi sandhyar meghamala 24th September, 1897

  ---

• Jadi barana karo tabe 24th September, 1897

  ---

• Ami chahite eshechi sudhu 25th September, 1897

  ---

• Sakhi, pratidina hai 25th September, 1897

  ---

• Bidhi dagara ankhi 25th September, 1897

  ---

• Bandhu michhe rag koro na 25th September, 1897

  ---

• Ogo Kangal amare kangal 27th September, 1897

  ---

• E ki satya sakali satya 28th September, 1897

  ---

A partnership commercial enterprise set up by Ambikacharan Ukil. Rabindranath associates himself with it financially and in other ways too, to help develop indigenous business and industry to which he'll attach increasing importance in the years ahead.

Rabindranath tries to prepare the ground for an exhibition of indigenous products, doesn't succeed.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak is sentenced to penal imprisonment for 18 months. Appeal to Privy Council turned down. Rabindranath vigorously takes part in raising funds for Tilak's defence in all stages of the legal battle. He appeals to Privy Council.

The poet goes to Orissa by river to inspect the estates there.

The poets journey to Orissa also yields a considerable harvest of poems.

Rabindranath writes the poem Shrestha Bhiksha based on Buddhist legends.

Rabindranath writes the poem Pratinidhi based on Marathi legends.

The poet writes Patita, a poem based on a tale from the Ramayana.

The poet writes the famous poem Devatar Gras based on a local lore.

The poet is back in Kolkata in early November.

Rabindranath writes the verse drama Sati drawing on a Marathi legends.

Rabindranath writes the poem Mastak Vikroi which is again based on Buddhist legends.

Mrinalini, Rabindranath's wife is already in Santiniketan with the children.

Rabindranath joins his wife Mrinalini and children at Santiniketan.

Rabindranath's Santiniketan trip produces a crop of poems, in which his lyric genius transforms ancient or medieval material from a modern point of view.

The poet writes the poem Narakbas.

Writes the quaintly amusing poem Lakshmir Pariksha.

Writes Bhasa o Chhanda.

Writes the celebrated dramatic poem Gandharir Abedan.

The poet is In Santiniketan again for the annual Brahma festival.

Moved in the Central Legislative Assembly by Chalmers. It will elicit widespread protests in the months ahead.

13th annual session held in Amaravati from 28th to 30th December. Sankar Nayar presides over this session.