Rabisarani

The new year finds the poet in the city, not for long however.

Presides over the foundation anniversary of Sarojnalini Nari Mangal Samity founded by Gurusaday Dutta, in memory of Sarojnalini Dutta who was his wife and a great soul.

Felicitated by Rabindra-Parishad of Presidency College. Prof. Surendranath Dasgupta presides.

Returns to Santiniketan.

Members of the Indian Science Congress arrive by a special train to visit Santiniketan. They are received by the poet.

Czech professor of Sanskrit from Prague, V. Lesny joins Santiniketan as visiting professor.

World famous English contralto ballad ad oratorio singer Dame Clara Butt (1873-1936) visits Santiniketan and performs on two days. Of her encounter with the poet, she writes in her autobiography – "In India I met three of the most wonderful personalities of that wonderful country, Mrs. Annie Besant, Gandhi and Sir Rabindranath Tagore....with me alone for an audience and without accompaniment of any kind, he then sang two or three songs of his own composition."

Poet agitated and concerned about methods of collecting funds for the relief of the families of political prisoners. Writes to Sunitikumar Chatterjee that the politicians do not display enough concern for the prisoners; or the affected families would not be starving now.

Accepts invitation to visit Europe and deliver the Hibert Lectures at Oxford University.

Vasanta utsav celebrated. In deference to the poet's wish young poets recite their verse.

The arrival of spring stirs the poet into writing a number of poems and songs around this time.

Arrives at Kolkata.

To resolve the differences between two groups of writers represented chiefly by Kollol and Sanibarer Chitti over the questions of modernism and realism in Bengali literature, the warring groups are brought together at a meeting held at Joasanko over two days at the initiative of Prasantachandra Mahalanabis and Apurbakumar Chanda. Rabindranath presides and speaks for the greater part. Reconciliation eludes them but the speeches delivered by the poet produce two remarkable essays on the questions raised – Sahityaroop, Sahitya Samalochana. Sunitikumar also attends the meeting.

Lord Satyendraprasanna Sinha - a great patron of Santiniketan, passes away.

Writes to Sarasilal Sarkar giving his views on the spinning of Charkha which according to him, is merely an external and mechanical act and hence tends to hinder the intellect and the expression of humanism. On the other hand, there is nothing mechanical about Vivekananda's message of loving kindness to all beings.

Writes the poem Abasesh.

Delivers an address Varshasesh, in the evening of the last day of the old year (13th April) and also speaks at the prayers held in the temple in the morning on the first day of the new year.

The Prabashi (May-June issue) prints his views on an unseemly row between Hindu students and Brahma authorities of City College over the issue of performing Saraswati Puja on the college premises.

On the anniversary of his 67th birthday at Santiniketan, Rabindranath is weighed against his own books which are later donated to public libraries.

Leaves for Madras en route to Europe and England to deliver Hibert lectures. Falls ill in Madras, cancels the voyage slated to begin 17th May.

Rests for a week at Adyar at Annie Besant's invitation. Writes the story Samsakar.

Here he's the guest of the raja of Pithapuram. Begins a story initially called Mita which will later develop into the novel Sesher Kabita.

Sails for Colombo.

On the way halts at Pondicherry to meet Sri Aurobindo. Comes away from the hour-long meeting convinced that he too needs to practice tapasya to nourish and sustain the self.

Arrives in Colombo. Enjoys the hospitality of Dr. de Silva.

Illness persists. Advised rest. Cancels European tour. Motors down to Anuradhapuram to see celebrations of the Buddha's birth anniversary.

From Colombo journeys back to Bangaluru through Madurai and Madras accompanied by the Mahalanabis couple-Prasantachandra and Rani. Here their host is Prof. Brajendranath Sil, vice-chancellor of Mysore University.

Spends three weeks here. Finishes the first drafts of both Yogayog and Mita (later rechristened Sesher Kabita). Also writes some of the verses which will be later included in the Mahua anthology.

Comes back to Santiniketan.

Busy revising Mita.

He has to handle the whole range of administrative functions as both his lieutenants – Rathindranath and Prasantchandra are away in Europe.

To celebrate the arrival of new seasons through seasonal festivals and the renewal of nature, the poet creates and introduces two festivals – Vriksharopana (planting of trees) at Santiniketan and Halakarshana (drawing the plough) at Sriniktan complete with proper ceremonies on 14th and 15th July respectively.

Varshamngal is simultaneously celebrated.

Nandalal Bose executes frescos on a wall of Sriniketan to mark the event.

Ramananda Chatterjee pays an advance of Rs. 1000/- because Mita will be serialised in the Prabashi.

Arrives in Kolkata, for medical treatment of prostate gland ailment.

This time for three weeks his host in Kolkata is Mukul Dey – the new principal of the Government art school.

He's under the treatment of Dr. Nilratan Sarkar and receives few visitors.

En route to France from Japan, Sylvain Levi calls on the poet in Kolkata and goes to Santiniketan to say goodbye.

Centenary of the Brahmasamaj is celebrated. The poet delivers three speeches in this connection, namely - Rudrer Awbhan, Ashirvad and Rammohan Roy.

This stay in Kolkata is rich in poetry – poet writes 27 love poems; 4 more when he returns to Jorasanko and another 10 pieces in Santiniketan.

At Romain Rolland's request contributes a message to The Golden Book of Peace, published by Ligue Mondiale pour lapaix of which Rolland is a patron.

Having recovered to some extent, he returns to Santiniketan and himself takes full charge of all the institutions which are passing through a critical phase.

His Chinese friend – arrives for a visit around the middle of October.

Divides time between writing and the new found creative vehicle of painting.

The University authorities write to Rabindranath after Puja vacation, seeking his opinion on the issue of introduction of music as a curricular subject. The journals and magazines are seized of the issue and a debate is on. The poet writes in reply that, "Professor Bhatkhande is the fittest person for developing facilities for teaching music at the University." He also adds in this connection that - "Gopeswar Bandoadhyaya is at present the greatest vocalist in Bengal." This sparks off a controversy and finally the poet writes an article Viswavidyalaye Sangeet Siksha setting forth his views on the subject at length (Prabashi, Nov-Dec, 1928).

Pratima, Pupu are back home after their continental tour.

Poet moves house to Konark.

Rabindranath writes a poem (Banabani) to felicitate Jagadishchandra on his 70th birthday.

Viceroy lord Irwin and lady Irwin visit Santiniketan.

Conference held at Senate Hall, Calcutta University. Poet unable to preside due to illness, sends in presidential address which is read by Hirendranath Dutta. Prof. Radhakrishnan presides.