Rabisarani

Delivers lecture on nationalism and reads from writings at Nebraska, Lincoln in USA.

Citizens of Lincoln in USA, present a printing machine to the students of Bolpur Vidyalaya. Later it will be set up in Santiniketan Press to print a number of books by the poet.

Reads The Cult of nationalism at Lowa, Des Monies in USA.

Lectures on nationalism and gives readings at Nebraska, Omaha in USA.

Delivers a lecture here at Kansas City, USA.

Accompanied by Pearson, Mukul and Bankimchandra Roy, poet sails for Japan from San Fransisco.

Reaches Honolulu.

Leaves Honolulu perhaps on 1st February and arrives at Japan.

During this brief stay at Japan poet meets Paul and Mirra Richard (Mirra will later become a disciple of Sri Aurobindo and will be known as Srima).

Rabindranath's companion Pearson decides to stay back in Japan. They will see each other again only in 1921.

On his return to India, poet breaks the journey at Rangoon.

Governor of Bengal, Lord Carmichael is given a farewell by the Tagores at Vichitra Club, Jorasanko.

Arrives at Calcutta (now Kolkata).

On the occasion of his homecoming, a small crowd of relatives and friends and admirers gather at Vichitra club; songs are sung.

Poet pleased to see Vichitra studio. Given the poet's patronage, Vichitra will soon become the meeting ground of artists, writers and people of similar affinities and host weekly meetings. Kampo Arai will give lessons in the Japanese style of painting here.

Rabindranath is back in Santiniketan.

Ramananda, Prasantachandra, etc. arrive with their families. Poet conducts prayers in the temple on the last day of the Bengali year.

Back in Calcutta (now Kolkata) to consult doctors for an ailment of the ear.

Chittaranjan Das, once a Rabindra-disciple and now a Rabindra-critic assails the poet for allegedly upholding internationalism at the expense of what he sees as legitimate Bengali nationalism in his presidential address at the Bangiya Pradeshik Sammelan. Soon Prabashi and Bharati will join issue with him.

Teachers of the Brahma Balika Vidyalaya felicitate the poet at their school.

Poet attends a meeting of Brahma Yubak Samiti at Mary Carpentar Hall.

The one-act play Chitra written by Rabindranath is performed at St. James Theatre, London.

Poet back in Santiniketan.

The first performance of the original Bengali play Dakghar takes place at Mary Carpentar Hall. The actors are the youngsters of the Sadharan Brahmasamaj.

Sukumar Ray is in Santiniketan. Performs his farce Sabdakalpadrum with his group.

Poet's 57th birthday celebrated in Santiniketan.

Rabindranath's drama Achalayatan is performed in the evening by the students and teachers. Rabindranath plays the role of the Acharya.

Poet is in Calcutta (now Kolkata); trip to Darjeeling arranged but later cancelled.

Poet returns to Santiniketan.

After a considerable interval he pens a long poem called Sesh Gaan which was initially placed in Palataka anthology. Later it is renamed as Purabi and will be included in the anthology of the same name.

Pays an old debt of Rs 30000/- with interest (originally borrowed from Sir Taraknath Palit who later transferred it to Calcutta University which had received his endowments). The money was borrowed for the erstwhile Tagore & Co.

Poet goes to Tindharia for rest.

Returns to Calcutta (now Kolkata).

Confers with Brajendranath Seal, Jadunath Sarkar, Kalidas Nag, etc. at Vichitra Club.

Rabindranath stays back in Calcutta to look after his daughter Madhurilata who's ailing.

Poet intends to prepare and publish books in Bengali on different subjects on the lines of the Home University Library in English (Viswavidyasangraha). Much later poet will introduce Loksiksha Granthamala to achieve this goal.

Poet felicitated at Monda Club founded by Sukumar Ray. Reads his new short story Poila Nambar written in colloquial Bengali to match the style of Sabuj Patra for which it's intended.

Poet's daughter Madhurilata is seriously ill. Poet's back in Calcutta (now Kolkata).

Poet felicitated at a reception organised by the younger members of the Sadharan Brahmasamaj at Rammohan Library. Brajendranath Seal reads a paper. Sukumar Ray also speaks of the poet's achievements.

The Poet is in Shilaidaha to celebrate Punnyaha.

The Poet is back in Calcutta (now Kolkata).

Writes the famous chorus -- Desh desh nandita kari.

Reads the well-known essay - Kartar Ichhai Karma protesting against government policies at a meeting held in Rammohan Library where -- Desh desh nandita kari is sung.

Reads the essay - Kartar Ichhai Karma again before a massive audience at Alfred Theatre on Harrison Road (now Mahatma Gandhi Road).

Writes to young Ranu Adhikari (later Lady Ranu Mukherjee) who though very young has already read many of his writings. He will write her a number a letters over the years which carve out a niche of their own in our literature.

Writes four new songs.

• Kampichhe dehalata August, 1917

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• Byakul bakuler phule August, 1917

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• Je kandane hiya kandichhe August, 1917

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• Dooar mor pathapashe August, 1917

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Young Amiya Chakrabarty has also started corresponding with the poet around this time.

Bitter feuds in Bengal Congress over who will be the president of the annual session to be held in Kolkata in December. Poet reluctantly involved in it. Crisis is resolved when Mrs. Besant is accepted as president.

Reads the essay -- Sangeeter Mukti - at a weekly meeting of the Vichitra Club.

Reads the essay - Sangeeter Mukti again before an audience at Rammohan Library.

Poet more than slightly ill, consults Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy. Thus begins an association which will end only in his death.

A meeting held at Sadharan Brahmasamaj temple in memory of Rajnarayan Basu. Poet presides.

Meetings and programmes take place regularly at Vichitra club. At a session of western music, Rabindanath surprises and regales all present by singing Bengali, Hindustani, English and German songs.

Rabindranath's comedy play - Baikunther Khatha is performed for an exclusively female audience.

Rabindranath's comedy play - Baikunther Khatha is performed for an exclusively male audience.

During the performance of the comedy drama – Baikunther Khata, Kalidas Nag brings along Ramesh Chandra Majumdar to be acquainted with the poet.

Poet reads an essay Amar Dharma before a gathering at Vichitra Club. It rebuts views expressed earlier in an article printed in the Narayana journal edited by Chittaranjan which is as a rule critical of everything the poet writes.

Dakghar is performed at Vichitra Club, for a female audience. Stage settings and scenery again create a landmark. Rabindranath, Abanindranath, Gaganendranath, Rathindranath, etc. perform.

The comedy drama - Baikunther Khatha is performed again for a male audience. Performance repeated on 15th & 16th October.

Poet writes a fine introduction for Sister Nivedita's book The Web of indian Life.

Writes the celebrated essay Chhoto o Bado and first reads it in a gathering at Vichitra Club. The immediate provocation is Hindu-Muslim riots in Bihar over cow-slaughter.

Gives a public reading of Chhoto O Bado at Rammohan Library. Chhoto o Bado is translated into English as The Small and The Great by Surendranath Tagore and printed in the Modern Review (17th December).

M. Saddler meets the poet at Jorasanko with a letter of introduction from Rothenstein.

M.Sadler meets the poet again, expresses his desire to hear songs.

An elaborate musical soiree held at Jorasanko; M. Sadler, Balfour, Sir John Woodroff are present.

Rabindranath goes almost every day to see his ailing daughter Madhurilata.

First foundation anniversary of Basu-Vigyanmandir set up by Jagadish Chandra Bose the year before. Nandalal, Surenranath kar and other artists decorate the mandir. Poet composes for the occasion -- Matrimandira punya angana.

Hurries back to Kolkata from Santiniketan to arrange another musical soiree for Lady Chelmsford, Montague and others.

The soiree is held at Vichitra Club. The guests are pleased.

Government announces the formation of the Rowlatt Committee.

27th annual festival (Poush Utsav) held. Poet takes part and sings a song. The choir of Asram boys is led by Dinendranath.

Lakshmir Pariksha is performed in the evening by female artists who are congratulated by the poet.

Back in Kolkata.

32nd annual session held at Wellington Square(now Subodh Mullick Square), Kolkata, with great flourish. During inauguration Gandhi, Rabindranath, Mrs. Besant, Tilak are on the dais.

Poet reads India's Prayer. The day's proceedings end with the song – Deshe deshe nandita kari.

Dakghar is performed at Vichitra in honour for the Congress leaders; Gandhi, Besant, Malaviya, Tilak and others watch the performance in which the poet acts.