Rabisarani

Writes two songs:

• Jakhan esechhile andhakarey 1st January,1924

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• Ami sandhyadiper sikha 2nd January,1924

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From Sriniketan writes to P. Geddes about land reclamation and beautification. Adds that temple reconstruction and pond restoration are very much on his agenda and have been put on hold for paucity of funds.

Invited to attend the convocation of Benaras Hindu University. Reluctantly decides to go hoping to meet high profile donors there such as the Maharaja of Baroda.

Writes to Kalidas Nag asking him to accompany him.

Writes to Edward Thompson in Bengali, complains that financial worries are causing his mind to grow old.

Leaves for Benaras with Kalidas Nag and daughter-in-law Pratima Devi.

Back in Santiniketan.

Andree Karpeles has, instead of coming back to India and keeping her promise, married a Scandinavian - Dal Hogman. The poet feigns to be angry and writes in gay humour -- "…I forgive your husband for wrenching you away from us with such a sudden jerk--and I hope you understand what a degree of generosity that forgiveness of mine represents."

Second special session held in Kalabhaban, presided over by the poet. In honour of visiting French professor of law, Henry Solus who speaks on The Position of Women in French Civil Law.

Goes to Kolkata, gets a medical check-up from Dr. Nilratan Sarkar. Advised rest.

Second annual festival of Sriniketan Rural Reconstruction Centre held. Elmhirst present. Rabindranath speaks on the occasion.

Third special session. Basantakumar Mallick speaks on Doctrine of Equality in Relation to Gandhism.

Vasantotsav held at Kalabhaban. Rabindranath takes part and sings -- Tomai gaan sonabo.

Elmhirst narrates his experiences of his China tour at a special session of Visva-Bharati Sammilani.

Presides over the fourth annual conference of the Central Cooperative Anti-Malaria Society held at Alfred Theatre in Kolkata.

Speaks without using any written address in the Senate Hall of Calcutta University. The first lecture is on Sahitya.

The second lecture is on Tathya o Satya.

The third lecture is on Srishti.

Condolence meeting at University Institute to mourn the death of Prof. Manmohan Ghosh (1869-1924) who was Sri Aurobindo's elder brother, a great teacher of English literature at Presidency College and a notable Indo-Anglian poet. Rabindranath presides and pays a touching tribute to the late poet.

Surendranath Tagore's eldest daughter Manjusree marries Kshitishprasad Chatterjee. Rabindranath blesses the couple, writes the song -- Ogo badhu sundari for this occasion.

As far as Ranu's marriage (she's reached marriageable age now) is concerned, certain complexities emerge and worry her parents. Her father Phanibhusan Adhikari wants an early marriage to put an end to all this. Asks for the poet's opinion who is not in favour of rushing things.

In Kolkata, preparing to embark on the China tour. Writing lectures.

A few songs have been written in March.

• Dinasesher ranga mukul

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• Ebar abagunthana kholo

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• Je kebal paliye beray

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• Pagal je tui

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Farewell meeting of about 500 Indians and Europeans organised by Visva-Bharati Sammilani at Alipore, Kolkata to wish him a good journey.

Sails for Rangoon (now Yangon) en route to China. The Birlas provide Rs. 33000/- for the journey. Gretchen Green, Elmhirst, Kshitimohan Sen, Nandalal Bose and Kalidas Nag go with the poet.

Arrives at Rangoon.

Huge civic reception at the Jubilee Hall. The poet speaks in reply.

Felicitated by Sahityasammilani of resident Bengalis.

Felicitated by the Chinese residing in Burma.

Arrives at Penang.

Arrives at Kuala Lumpur. Civic reception.

Arrives at Singapore. Takes ship for Hong Kong.

Arrives at Hong Kong. Invitations pour in from different parts of China. Dr. Sun-Yat-Sen also invites him. Constraints of time prevent him from accepting the invitation.

Sails for Shanghai.

Arrives at Shanghai. Received by the poet Tsemon Hsu, who's also translated his writings into Chinese, and other intellectuals. Rabindranath is busy writing lectures.

Meets Mr. Hardoon, Hebrew merchant. He will later send Chinese Tripitak to Santiniketan.

Felicitated by the local Sikhs and Hindus at a Gurudwara. Poet critical of the Sikh policemen's behaviour towards the Chinese. Presented with a Hindi address.

Poet speaks in Bengali, Kshitimohan translates into Hindi.

Goes to see Dr.Carsung Chang, an associate of Rudolf Eucken. Here he is received by the educated Chinese elite of the city and he speaks extempore. This speech is known as First Talk at Shanghai.

Here he pays homage to the Buddha at a massive meeting of students organised by The Provincial Educational Society.

Reception given by the Japanese residents of the city at a Japanese school.

Meets Mr. Kadoorie, a poet himself and a leader of the local Jews who donates Rs. 12000/- to improve the water supply at Santiniketan.

Leaves for Beijing, travels by river. On the way discusses the future of Asia and the shape of politics to come with companions.

In Nanking. Meets the military ruler general Chi ShiYuan and the civil administrator Han Tze-sui who promises to help Visva-Bharati financially and warns that the students of this generation may not pay serious attention to his message.

Delivers an address before a huge audience of students at Nanking University.

On the way to Beijing (Peiking).

Stops at Ch'u-fu to pay homage to Confucius.

Here the poet speaks on Materialism and the Spiritual Life at Provincial Assembly Hall.

Speaks on Santiniketan and Visva-bharati at Shantung Christian University.

Arrives at Chien Men station in the evening. Greeted by a mammoth crowd of students, intellectuals and resident Indians. North China Standard reports the unprecedented welcome given to the poet and hopes that the young generation will pay serious attention to what he has to say and critically evaluate it.

Ango-American Association hosts a lunch in his honour at the Grand Hotel. Rabidranath speaks here and says that he came away from the west with the impression that "The nations of the West were looking for some new ideal from the East which would reconstruct their civilisation on a better basis."

Meets 50 Chinese scholars notable in their fields and distinguished men at a tea party in the famous Throne Hall where Chinese emperors used to receive foreign emissaries.

Here in his welcome speech Liang Ch'i-Ch'ao, president of Peking Lecture Association hopes that the poet's visit will usher in a new era.

In this ancient Buddhist temple Rabindranath is received and speaks to the priests and the members of the Young men's Buddhist Association.

More than a thousand students from various universities and colleges gather to hear him speak in the National University auditorium. In no uncertain terms the poet warns young China that those who seek to be powerful using the means of material force do not know history because this is most likely to result in utter ruin.

Referring to the fact that he has been dubbed the spokesman of a defeated nation by some Chinese students, he asserts --"I am ready to accept weakness and insult and oppression of the body, but I will never acknowledge the defeat, the last insult, the utter ruin, of my spirit being conquered...". Elmhirst writes this speech which produces a positive impact on scholars and literary men.

Rabindranath and his companions go to the Forbidden City to see the former emperor of China at his invitation.

Dinner in his honour given by the intellectuals of Peking. In a long speech given by him in reply to the welcome address the poet speaks about a number of things including his growth as a writer.

Addresses an audience five to ten thousand strong (mostly students) from the five foot high marble platform at the temple of Earth and introduces himself as a representative of Asia. As usual he deprecates the militarism of the west and upholds the Oriental ideals of peace and fraternity.

Speaks informally in response to a reception at the college. Here too, Communist students, opposed to his views, disribute leaflets criticising him.

Students of the college felicitate the poet in the evening.

In which he traces the shaping influences on which his career is delivered.

Gives an address before the teachers and students of the college.

Rabindranath's 64th birthday celebrated by the Crescent Moon Society headed by Hsu Chi-mo at Peking Normal University. Poet given the honorary epithet of "India's cloud-thundered dawn."

English Chitra is performed by Crescent Moon Society.

Delivers the first of the stipulated six lectures at the invitation of the Peking Lecture Association at the massive Chen Kwang Theatre. Communist students distribute leaflets in protest.

2nd lecture in which two articles are combined is delivered.

Judgement delivered before two thousand male and female students.

Cancels remaining lectures, goes to western hills near Peking for rest.

Returns to Peking, speaks extempore to students of Peking National University who unexpectedly call on him.

Gives an address at a conference convened by Committee of All Religions.

Kshitimohan Sen and Kalidas Nag also speak.

Famous actor Mei lan-fang performs the celebrated Chinese play The Goddess of the Lo River in his honour.

Leaves Peking for Shansi.

Meets the enlightened military ruler Yen His-shan, reads address City and Village before a massive audience at Confucius hall.

Sannyasi is performed by Chinese students.

In Hangkow. Speaks at a meeting chiefly of youths and students organised by Buddhist intellectuals at Young Men's Buddhist Association. Reiterates his views. Hostile elements in the audience tell him "Dr. Tagore, we can't understand your argument against science."

Here he's the guest of Italian businessman G.A. Bena.

In the evening speaks to a small circle of Europeans known to Bena.

Visits Japanese school on Haskell Road.

Farewell meeting in the afternoon organised by Chinese literati. The poet delivers a farewell speech.

Sails for Japan aboard Sanghai Maru at the invitation of Kobe Tagore Society. The trip is funded by the Society, Mr.Mitsubishi of Sinda Company and Asahi Press.

Arrives in Nagasaki. Sano-sun who previously taught at Santiniketan and spent some time in India, joins them here.

Poet is in Hakota.

In Kobe. Great reception. N.F.Abdulali of the Indian reception committee puts him up.

In Osaka. Speaks to a mammoth audience at Nakanoshima Hall. Miss Tomiko Wada kora acts as the interpreter.

In Nara. Attends a tea ceremony.

In Osaka. Speaks at two meetings of women.

Leaves Kobe, arrives in Tokyo at night. At Oakama station on the way a number of people board the train to meet him, among them notable Japnese poet Yone Noguchi (1875-1947) and the Indian revolutionary in exile - Rashbihari Bose (1885-1945) and Kesoram Sabrewala who is not allowed by the British Government to teach at Santiniketan.

Wonderful ovation by a huge crowd.

Shifts to Imperial Hotel.

Visits dental hospital; later calls on Taikan-the greatest living Japnese painter-at his residence and sees his magnificent work.

Gives the first public address of this tour at Tokyo Imperial University, champions oriental values.

Speaks at meetings organised by National Women's Association and Buddhist Young Women's Association.

Delivers the well known address on International Relations at Industrial Club. He is critical of Japan’s treatment of China and blames nationalism for such aberrations.

Meets the cream of Tokyo society at Viscount Shibusawa's villa and gives the address My School.

Speaks at a special meeting of the Pan-Pacific Club held at the Imperial Hotel.

Lunch at Yokoama Taikan's. Meets leading painters of Japan and gives a lecture.

Goes to Mito in Ibaraki province at the invitation of the local youth, gives an address.

Leaves Tokyo for Kyoto.

Delivers the lecture The Place of Science at the Town Hall.

Delivers an address at Otani University.

Gives an address To the Child at Kyoto High School for Girls.

Back in Kobe; speaks to local intellectuals and educationists of The Educational Association of Hyogo Prefecture in Japan, receives an honorarium of 100 yen.

The Consul of Peru in Japan meets the poet, invites him to the centenary celebrations of Independence to be held in Peru in December, 1924.

Rabindranath accepts the invitation and decides to bring Elmhirst and Kalidas Nag with him.

Reads his poems at Kobe Women's Club.

Felicitated by Indian residents of Kobe at Oriental Hotel.

Attends a tea party at the residence of Mr.Muriyama, owner of the famous Japanese newspaper Osaka Ashahi.

Sails for India from Kobe.

Delivers the lecture The Soul of the East on board at the request of distinguished Japanese passengers.

Reaches Kolkata via Shanghai, Hong Kong and Rangoon.

Mourns the death of Ashutosh Mukherjee in the article Ashutosh Mukherjee in The Visva-Bharati Quarterly (July, 1924).

Addresses a crowded meeting of Visva-Bharati Sammilani at University Institute and narrates his experiences gathered during the recent tour.

Back in Santiniketan.

Comes to Kolkata.

Memorial meeting held in the Senate Hall, pandemonium, two groups of students opposed to each other indulge in barracking. Initially Rabindranath presides, then leaves, asking Chittaranjan Das to preside.

Sisirkumar Bhaduri (1889-1959), perhaps the greatest Bengali actor of his age and a considerable innovator in Bengali theatre, stages Sita -- his first successful production. Rabindranath goes to see it.

Rabindranath writes to Lytton, Governor of Bengal, requesting him to clarify his highly controversial remarks about Indian women.

Busy making preparations for the trip to Peru, South America; also conducting rehearsals for the performance of Aroopratan in which Ranu is to play Sudarshana.

Invited by the students of Presidency College, he speaks before a massive audience of Presidency students in the afternoon.

Felicitated at the Peruvian consulate in Kolkata.

Addresses an assembly of the former and current students of Hindu Hostel on the occasion of reunion. Later they perform Achalayatan .

Performed at Alfred Theatre in aid of Malabar flood relief work and Visva-Bharati. As usual it's a grand success. Rabidranath himself reads selected parts. Ranu plays Sudarshana.

Leaves for Madras (now Chennai) on the way Colombo with Rathindranath, Pratima Devi, Nandini, Surendranath Kar and a few others.

Arrives. Takes ship for Colombo.

Arrives at Colombo.

Sails for France aboard Haruna-Maru.

During this voyage too, he’ll be prolific as ever and write his diary, letters and other things.

writes two poems - Purnata and Awbhan.

Writes Chhabi.

Writes Lipi.

Writes Kshanika and Khela.

Disembarks at Marseille, proceeds to Albert Kahn's guest house in Paris.

Sails for Latin America, a three week voyage on board the Andes, Elmhirst accompanying him as his secretary.

Begins to paint on this voyage; different animal shapes -- prehistoric reptiles, birds-seem to emerge from corrections made in the manuscripts of poems. Writes Path and Anmana.

Pens a number of poems, says he's never written so many poems away from India. Around end of October, 1924 he is very ill on the boat, confined to cabin, thinks increasingly of death. But never stops writing.

• Anmana18th October,1924

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• Bismaran 19th October,1924

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• Asha 19th October,1924

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• Batas20th October,1924

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• Swapna 20th October,1924

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• Samudra 21st October,1924

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• Mukti 22nd October,1924

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• Jhad 24th October,1924

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• Padadhwani24th October,1924

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• Prakash 26th October,1924

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• Doshar 28th October,1924

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• Sesh 29th October,1924

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• Abashan 30th October,1924

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• Tara 1st November,1924

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• Kritagna 2nd November,1924

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• Mrityur Awbhan3rd November,1924

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• Daan 3rd November,1924

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• Dukkha-sampad4th November,1924

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• Samapan5th November,1924

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• Bhabikal 6th November,1924

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Arrives to a great reception though he is only en route to Lima, Peru.

He was down with influenza; still very weak, doctors advise complete rest. Annoyed and dismayed to know that the consulate of Peru in Buenos Ayres has as yet received no instructions regarding his visit from their government.

Peru visit uncertain, poet not fit to travel. Victoria Ocampo (1890-1979), a great admirer of his poetry, comes to see him and get acquainted. A life-long association begins.

Thanks to Ocampo's initiative and magnificent hospitality, Rabindranath shifts from hotel to villa Miralrio (owned by Ocampo's relative) for rest and recuperation.

Ocampo is now Tagore's hostess, does everything possible in her power to make Rabindranath's stopover here pleasant and comfortable as well as prolong it. Sells even her jewellery to meet expenses.

Writes Videshi Phool at Miralrio.

In a letter to Ocampo, Rabindranath writes movingly -- "last night when I offered you my thanks for what is ordinarily termed hospitality I hoped that you could feel that what I said was less than what I meant…an immense burden of loneliness I carry about me...my market price has risen high and my personal value has been obscured. This value I seek to realise with an aching desire...This can be had only from a woman's love...I feel today this precious gift has come to me from you and that you are able to prize me for what I am and not for what I contain." It is also undoubtedly true that Ocampo inspires and impacts the verse texture of a number of poems written in this period and collected in Purabi which will be dedicated to her.

Writes Atithi , gifts Ocampo an English translation of it.

Ocampo writes in reply--"All I received from you has made me so rich in love that the more I spend, the more I have to give. And all I give comes from you…so I feel I am giving nothing."

The visit to Peru cancelled on health grounds.

Poet writes the following poems in November, December, 1924.

• Antarhita1924

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• Ashanka 17th November,1924

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• Sesh Vasanta--one of his finest later poems 21st November,1924

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• Bipasha 22nd November,1924

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• Chabi 26th November,1924

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• Baitarani 27th November,1924

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• Prabhati 1st December,1924

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• Madhu 4th December,1924

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• Tritiya 4th December,1924

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• Adekha 7th December,1924

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• Chanchal 10th December,1924

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• Prabahini11th December,1924

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Goes to Chapad Malal to spend a few days there.

Writes more poems in December, 1924.

• AkandaDecember,1924

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• Kankal 17th December,1924

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Returns to Buenos Ayres.

More poems.

• Chitti20th December,1924

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• Birahini 20th December,1924

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• Na-pawa 24th December,1924

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• Srishtikarta 25th December,1924

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• Beenahara 27th December,1924

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• Vanaspati 28th December,1924

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• Path 29th December,1924

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Meets the President of Argentina -- Dr. Alvear.