Rabisarani

Writes -- Ami jakhan tar duarey.

Poet presides over a rather small gathering of students at the YMCA Hostel.

The second and last performance of the play, Dakghar takes place at Vichitra.

There are changes in the cast; poet plays three roles.

He returns to Santiniketan.

He's ill, returns to Kolkata.

In spite of his illness, poet reads a story at the Vichitra club, most probably Tota Kahini.

Back in Santiniketan.

In a letter to Gandhiji poet agrees that Hindi is the "only possible National language for interprovincial intercourse in India. But…I think we cannot enforce it for a long time to come."

Writes four English poems and six songs between 1st January to 31st January, 1918.

• There sounded a voice in India's forest

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• The time is loud today and crowded

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• Don your white robe, my brothers

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• Don your white robe, my brothers

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• Let me lay my heart at the feet of those

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• Jagarane jay bibhabari

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• Ore sabdhani pathik, barek

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• Ohe sundara mori mori

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• Alokey kusuma na dio

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• Akash hotey akash pathey

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• se kon boner harin chhila

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Students and teachers of Vidyalaya have a picnic at Sriniketan; the poet is a picnicker too.

Writes -- Aaji bijana ghare.

Another copious season of songs written between 8th February to 15th February, 1918.

• Kannahasir doldolano

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• Amar patrakhana

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• Tumi ekla ghare bosey bosey

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• Kon sudur hotey

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• Ay ay re pagal

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• Anek pawar majhe majhe

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• Sabar sathe chaltechhilo

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• Amar sakal dukher pradip

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• Keno re ei dooartuku

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• Takhan tara driptabeger vijoyrathe

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• Ami pathbhola ek pathik

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• Tumi kon pathe je eley

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• Eso eso basanta dharataley

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• Asrunadir sudur parey

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Madhurilata is critically ill, poet back in Kolkata.

Andrews is in Santiniketan, gives a lecture on the condition of the Indians in Fiji.

Writes and reads a long essay - Chhanda on Bengali rhythm (printed in Sabuj Patra - Chaitra issue) at a Vichitra session.

Saratchandra Chatterjee (1876-1938) who is now emerging as a major novelist in Bengali literature next only to Rabindranath, reads his story – Bilasi at another Vichitra session.

Invitation to visit Australia arrives around this time. Poet willing to go. But the visit does not take place.

Writes a long letter to Montagu, India Secretary, giving his views on the problems facing India.

Montagu replies in letter dated 10th April, 1918.

Students of the vidyalaya led by Narbhup kill a tiger. Narbhup is wounded and sent to Kolkata for medical treatment.

Reminiscences – the English translation of Jeevansmriti by Surendranath Tagore published by Macmillan, New York. But the publication of his Nationalism by Macmillan, New York will be delayed till September, 1918.

Poet is present at a Vichitra session.

Poet's been displaying a keenness for sometime to go abroad, to the USA if possible (because 1st World War is raging in full fury and the USA is already at war).

Also borrows Rs 50,000/- from Parsi friend Bomanji to meet the expenses of the proposed trip, but soon returns the money as the trip's canceled.

The reasons are complicated. He is implicated in the San Fransisco Hindu-German Conspiracy case in the USA. A spate of correspondence ensues between the indignant poet and the US and British authorities. Rabindranath even sends a cable to President Wilson "claiming from you and your country protection against such lying calumny." He also writes to viceroy Chelmsford and the japanese Prime Minister Count Okuma in this connection. They express sympathy in their response. But the case drags on in USA. Rabindranath drops his plans perhaps out of disgust.

Poet writes to Radhakrishnan, professor of Philosophy at Presidency College, Madras (now Chennai) in connection with his forthcoming book - The Philosophy of Rabindranath being published by Macmillan.

Poet is now 58 years old and his birthday is celebrated in style devotees and friends and admirers in Kolkata.

Madhurilata, eldest daughter of Rabindranath, dies of tuberculosis in Kolkata after a long illness.

Totakahini -- his withering satire on the prevailing education system is translated into English by him and The Parrot's Training with drawnings by Abanindranath cover design by Nandalal is published at his own cost. It is dedicated to Patrick Geddes.

Impulsive large-hearted rebel par excellence is arrested in Peking (now Beijing) for espousing the cause of India's freedom, brought to England and interned at his Manchester home till the end of the war.

In his daughter's memory poet introduces Madhurilata Britti in the Vidyalaya.

Young Ranu fills the void created by Bela's death in the poet's mind to some extent. He writes her a number of letters which bring her news of the Vidyalaya as well as delightful witticisms.

Writes this important English essay on the proposed Montagu-Chelmsford reforms and current national and international situations. Published in Modern Review (July,18).

At Santiniketan. Ranu has come with her father. Sukumar Ray has come along to help set up the American printing machine and start Santiniketan Press. Kalidas Nag, Ajitkumar Chakrabarty, Charuchandra Banerjee, Nirmalkumar Sidhanta have also come.

Gujrati students, who have been brought to the Vidyalaya by their parents are admitted to the school.

Poet is busy in the school taking a number of classes everyday and will be here till the commencement of the Puja vacation.

Poet writes a long illuminating introduction to an anthology of English poems written by Bengali poets edited and published by Theodor Douglas Dunn.

Gurusaday Dutta (1882-1941, later of Bratachari fame) and his wife Sarojnalini visit the ashram and the vidyalaya. Andrews' friend Susilkumar Rudra, principal of St. Stephen's College, Delhi also pays a visit.

The women and girls of the ashram too, receive their share of his care and affection. Poet reads his translations and Shelley's poems to them in the evening.

The Consul general of Peru visits Santiniketan.

Writes this bengali essay for the Bhandar magazine (Sravan issue) revived by Tarakchandra Roy, deputy magistrate of Birbhum.

Bhumilakshmi published from Siuri. It carries an article Bhumi Lakshmi written by the poet.

Vice-chancellor Asutosh Mukherjee is slowly and steadily introducing post graduate courses in Bengali and the other major Indian languages in Calcutta University. Dr.I.J.Tarapourwala of the University asks him to give his on this and the poet writes a long letter in reply. It is later printed in the Modern Review (November issue).

Puja vacation begins in the Vidyalaya.

Rabindranath comes to Kolkata with his family.

Leaves Kolkata for Pithapuram and Madras (now Chennai).

He is delighted to hear the Veena recitals by the veena player S. Shastri. Requests his host, the Maharaja of Pithapuram to send the artiste to Santiniketan for a few days. The Maharaja keeps his promise.

Returns to Kolkata.

Meera Devi and her son critically ill in Hyderabad. At poet's initiative Dr. Naidu and Dr. Lancaster provide necessary treatment and care to them and they recover.

Poet always keen to set up a Technical Department in a big way. Their Parsi friend Bomanji donates Rs 5000/- towards this end and promises to donate a similar sum every year. American windmills purchased and installed in Santiniketan. Electricity provided to all the hostels. A bus is also purchased to provide transport.

World War 1 ends, Germany and the central powers collapse.

Poet continues to write delightful letters to Ranu.

In a fine flow, writes several songs in Santiniketan in late Nov-early Dec, 1918.

• Akaraney akaley mor

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• Akash jude suninu

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• Dinguli mor sonar khanchay

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• Se je bahir holo

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• Tomay kichhu debo boley

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• Ami achhi tomar sabhar dooar

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• Ani tomay jato

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• Tomari jharnatalar

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• Gaaner bhitar diye

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• Tomar dwarey keno asi

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• Je ami oi bhese choley

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• Jara katha diye

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• Jeevan maraner simana

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• Nami nami charaney

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• Ami tarei khunje berai

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• Phagun hawai rangey rangey

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• Sur bhuley je ghurey berai

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28th annual festival (Poush Utav) held in the ashram. Rabindranath sings a song during the morning prayers. Among those present are Jaladhar Sen and Saratchandra Chatterjee.

29th annual meeting of Brahmacharyasrama held, presided over by the poet. Foundation laid for Visva-Bharati in the presence of distinguished men and women from a number of countries who, as representatives of their countries sprinkle earth on the foundation. In a short but historic address Rabindranath asserts, "A festival of lights is now on in the worldwide human family--the festival of lighting lamps of knowledge. Only when each nation lights up its lamp in a big way, this festival will be concluded with all participating...the real arena of education is to be found where learning and knowledge are being developed. The main task of a university is the development of knowledge, imparting it is a secondary task...It cannot be done by imitating foreign universities...I have suggested that such an ideal educational institution be given the name of 'Visva-Bharati.'"

Poet writes to Radhakrishnan that he has received his copy of his The Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore and highly praises the book in his letter.

Ajitkumar Chakrabarty dies of influenza in Kolkata.

33rd annual session held in Delhi. Madanmohan Malaviya presides.