Rabisarani

Poet in New York, delivers a lecture on The Meeting of East and West at a meeting organised by Community Forum.

Goes to see Helen Keller at her residence. She gifts him a copy of her The World I Live in. Later she will write about this meeting in her Midstream/My Later Life.

Lunch with prof. Woods at Union Club. In the evening poet reads a short address on Education in India at a dinner party given by East Asiatic Society and attended by a number of Harvard University teachers.

Lunch at Tavern Club with artists and writers to whom he explains his concept of an international university. He also sings -- Ogo dakhin hawa.

Goes to Wellesley College in the evening and reads The Poet's Religion under the auspices of the department of philosophy.

Lectures on The Folk Poets of Bengal at New Theatre hall.

Lunch at Vedanta Society -- Boston with Swami Paramananda. Reads The Meeting of the East and West -- his second lecture at Harvard University. Dinner at Union Club in his honour.

Dorothy Straight (later Mrs. Elmhirst) invites Rabindranath and his family to tea.

Mr. Latham of Macmillan & Co. comes to see him and offers to gift to Santiniketan library copies of all the books published by them.

Lunch with Bernard Berenson, art critic and a friend of Rothenstein whose boorish opinions shock Rabindranath.

Dorothy Straight takes the poet to Junior League-n association of wealthy women in New York. Rabindranath speaks of the university he's trying to develop but draws a blank.

Poetry Society gives its annual dinner in his honour at Hotel Astor to which 236 guests are invited.

In Chicago Mrs. Moody puts them up and the poet can at last relax in a familiar, friendly environment.

Pearson also joins him here, thus ending an estrangement which hurt both of them.

Harriet Monroe, artist William Henderson, Boris-a French poet and others come to see him.

Indian students of Chicago give him a dinner at Mrs. Moody's house. They cook the dishes themselves though Pratima Devi gives a hand.

Poet leaves for Texas with Pearson.

Speaks on The Meeting of the East and West.

Speaks at the Oaklahoma University auditorium on Some songs of the Village Mystics of Bengal.

Stays at The Alophus hotel, is glad to see the sunlit fields "in the icy castle of Winter."

Reads The Meeting of the east and West and a few poems at a meeting at the Scottish Rite Cathedral organised by the Matheon Club.

Reads the same lecture, receives an honorarium of $ 500/-.

Delivers lectures at different places from 14th to 18th February, 1921, namely Waco (14th), Fort Worth (15th), Denton (16th), Georgetown (17th) and Shreveport (18th).

Again in Dallas, speaks twice at the First Unitarian Church on the concept of a Global university.

Reads some poems before the students of a girls' college.

Returns to Chicago.

Gets acquainted with the young Irish poet Padraic Column who is also a guest of Mrs. Moody.

Back home the great movement is sweeping the country and its increasing impact on Santiniketan makes the poet anxious. Writes to Vidalaya teacher Jagananda Roy from Chicago - "Nationalism is a geographical demon. The world is rocked by the depredations of this demon, the time has come for exorcising it."

The same anxiety is reflected in the letters he writes to Andrews, particularly those dated 2nd, 5th and 13th March. These letters are published in The Modern Review(21st May) and Gandhiji answers the criticism in his articles English Learning and Poet's Anxiety. He feels that the first letter was written "in anger and in ignorance of facts."

Leaves Chicago together with Mrs. Moody.

Poet sends a telegram to Elmhirst after his arrival in New York. He's staying at Mrs. Moody's flat in the city prior to his departure for England.

In Kolkata the young progressive Brahma and college teacher Prasantachandra Mahalanabish publishes a booklet under the title -- Why we need Rabindranath which will play an important role in the Brahma movement.

Leonard Knight Elmhirst (1893-1974) and the poet meet at Mrs. Moody's flat. What's obvious in hindsight is that the beginning of this association is the single most important development of the entire America tour. Elmhirst will play a major role in the years ahead in the rural reconstruction centered on Surul and later Sriniketan at Santiniketan. Rabindranath invites him to come to Santiniketan.

Sails for England from New York.

In one of the letters written to Andrews during the voyage he declares in the context of the current political turmoil in India -- "I love India. But my India is an idea and not a geographical expression. Therefore I am not a patriot, I shall ever seek my compatriots all over the world."

At a meeting in Cuttack, Orrisa, Gandhiji calls Rammohan a "pygmy." It will soon evoke a sharp protest from the poet.

Arrives at Plymouth, England.

An unpublished English version of Viday Abhishap performed under the aegis of Union of East and West.

At Shakespeare Hut - a hostel of Indian students poet reads The meeting of the East and West. Henry Wood Nevinson who has earned his praise presides.

Visits House of Commons, lunches with Labour leader Ben Spoor and also sees Montague, discusses Visva-Bharati. Montague's enthusiastic.

Correspondence between poet and Rothenstein increasingly takes on a sombre tone because of divergent views.

Flies from London to Paris.

Renee de Brimont, who's translating The Fugitive into French meets him. Translation will be published in 1922.

Goes to see a performance of Richard Wagner's opera Valkyre.

Meets Romain Rolland over tea at his residence. They discuss a number of things including Visva-Bharati and music.

Invites Rolland to lunch. They talk about Visva-Bharati.

Reads An Indian Folk Religion at Musee Guimet gallery.

Comtesse de Noailles meets him after dinner. This influential poet will help him a great deal years later at the time of the exhibition of his paintings in Paris in 1930.

Rolland writes that he is ready to help in the realisation of the ideal of Visva-Bharati to the utmost of his ability.

Lunch with rich Indian businessman Srisardarsingji Raoji Rana who will donate a massive collection of books to Santiniketan.

Henry Bergson comes to see him.

Poet desirous of visiting Spain; Spanish translations of his works have become popular, his Spanish translators are very keen to receive him there but unfortunately the visit fails to take place.

At Cercle Internallie hosted by Societe Amis de L'Orient. After dinner M. Copean reads a French translation of Dakghar.

Dines with Andre Carpelles. Rolland unable to join them.

Lunch with Sir Thomas Barelay at the latter's invitation. Patrick Geddes, Desjardin also present.

Reaches Strasburg Sorbonne University, welcomed by Sylvain Levi, other teachers and Indian students.

Goes to see an ancient cathedral; in the evening reads The Message of the Forest before an audience at Sorbonne University.

On the way to Switzerland. Invited by Dr. Hans Bodmer.

At Basel welcomed by Dr. Bodmer, Dr. Vischer."

Reads from his writings at L'Athenee.

In a letter written to Suhridkumar Mukherjee, consents to the abolition of the Matriculation examination at Santiniketan vidyalaya.

He's sixty now and a committee of German intellectuals and writers plan to give him a grand gift of 400 valuable German books for Santiniketan.

Goes to Lucern via Lusanne.

Delivers his address on The Message of the Forest at Basel University.

Writes to Andrews expressing his annoyance at Gandhiji's rude and ignorant remarks on Rammohan.

Stays at Dolder hotel.

Lunch at Mrs. Bodmer's. In the evening poet reads The Poet's Religion at Zurich University.

At last he is in Germany -- the country he has always wished to visit. German translations of his books are selling well and he is no stranger to German intellectuals and writers.

In Hamburg, received by Helene Meyer-Franck, visits Bismarck's castle.

Delivers the address The Message of the Forest at Hamburg University amidst great enthusiasm.

In Copenhagen, greeted by a massive crowd at the railway station.

Reads Bengali poems and their English translations to Danish students at their club. Later a large torch-lit procession of students brings him back to his hotel. Rabindranath addresses them from the hotel balcony.

Delivers the address The Message of the Forest at Copenhagen University.

Arrives in Stockholm. Received by the Secretary of the Swedish Academy and a big crowd of cheering people. Put up at the Grand Hotel.

Shown around the city in the afternoon. Witnesses Swedish folk festival at the folk-culture museum.

Noted Swedish writer Selma Lagerlof meets him. Perhaps the poet is also received by the King of Sweden in a private audience.

Reads East and West before a very enthusiastic audience at the largest auditorium in the city in the evening. In view of the unprecedented enthusiasm of the audience he promises another reading on 27th May.

Most probably the poet witnesses a performance of the Swedish version of the play Dakghar at Volksbingen Theatre.

Meets K.H. Brantin, Swedish socialist and former president of the League of Nations over lunch. Also makes the acquaintance of the brother of Karl Eric Hammergren.

Eight years after the award of Nobel Prize, Rabindranath gives the customary acceptance speech at The Swedish academy in the evening and lays stress on global cooperation and harmony.

At the dinner given by The Academy in his honour Rabindranath meets the world renowned Swedish explorer Sven Hedin. Hedin will later recall(The Golden Book of Tagore-1931)--"I have a special reason to remember your speech as you mentioned my expeditions in Asia in the kindest and most encouraging words."

Calls on the British envoy to Sweden.

Delivers the promised lecture at the same venue.

Visits Upsala University and the famous cathedral there.

Back in Stockholm, leaves for Berlin by train in the evening.

Arrives in Berlin with Rathindranath.

Noted Indologist Helmut Fon Glasenup interviews him at hotel Esplanade where he's staying.

Berlin University invites him to give a lecture.

Maharani of Baroda hosts a lunch in his honour.

Attends Dinner given in his honour by industrialist Hugo Stinnes.

Delivers the address The Message of the Forest at Berlin University before a mammoth audience. Sensing the fervent mood of those who have missed the address he promises to deliver the address again the next day.

Dinner is given in his honour. Attended by a number of distinguished persons, academicians and writers.

Meets the British envoy in Germany - Viscount D'Abernon who records his impressions in his diary -- " more impressive in appearance than most of the conceptions of Christ."

Invited to lunch by Mr. Nobel junior. Swedish envoy to Germany also present.

Delivers the promised lecture at the same venue.

Invited to a tea party given in his honour by Indians residing in Berlin.

Poet dines with Edith Andrea and Mr. Rathenau -- minister of reconstruction, Germany.

Poet reads a part of The Message of the Forest and sings a song. All this is recorded on copper plates by Dr. Dogen of Laut-arbeitungen der Preuss, Staats bibliothek.

At Helene Meyer-Franck's initiative, poet gives a reading of his writings at Charlottenberg.

Writes to Andrews -- "I saw 'Post office' acted in Berlin Theatre. The girl who took part of Amal was delightful in her acting and altogether the whole thing was a success."

Arrives in Munich, received by his publisher Kurt Wolff.

Reads The Message of the Forest at Maximum Auditorium, Munich university. Donates ten thousand marks for poor German children. The massive audience receives the announcement with thunderous applause. Most probably his total donations exceed this amount.

Reads from his writings at Wolff's house before an audience which includes great German novelist Thomas Mann(1875-1955).

Arrives June 9, received by the personal secretary of the Grand Duke of Hesse. He is the Duke's guest and stays in his palace.

Rathindranath records in his diary -- "Afternoon father speaks to many people in the garden." The topics range from modern civilisation to Buddhism.

Prof. Hermann Jacobi calls on him. The son, sister and nephews of the former German emperor Kaiser also come to see him.

Count Keyserling organises a 'Tagore-Week' [starts from 10th June to 14th June] in his honour and acts as the interpreter when the poet goes and sits on the large steps outside the garden and visitors including curious school children gather around him in the morning and afternoon and ask a bewildering variety of questions concerning India and his educational endeavours.

In the evening at the Stadtischer Saalbau (city hall) Rabindranath reads English translations as well as the original Bengali poems; Keyserling explains them in German. Mixed reactions in the media.

He meets music director Ballin at dinner and later has a stimulating conversation with him about music.

Explains the significance of East and West which Keyserling translates into German for an audience one thousand strong.

Dr. Otto, Natorp, Wilhelm and others call on him and the conversations range from divine justice to the horrible devastation caused by the World War. Lunch at Keyserling's.

After lunch the Grand Duke drives them to Herrgottsberg, a wooded cliff and a tourist spot. Nearly four thousand people gather round him. Rabindranath briefly speaks, the German national anthem is sung and more songs follow. Rathindranath records in his diary -- "...Best day spent in Europe."

Girl students of the Elisabeth Duncan School perform a dance of Spring before him strewing roses as they dance.

Poet reads The Village Mystics of Bengal at the University.

The Rector of the University gives him the gift of a massive collection of books for Santiniketan library.

Goes to the local Labour Union house in the evening, sits in the garden with the workers there and talks to them who listen to him attentively. Prof. Goldstein acts as the interpreter.

Leaves Darmstadt for Vienna via Munich. Arrives in Vienna in the evening.

Received by Hugo Heller and Mrs. Heller. Rabindranath comes to Austria following Mrs. Heller's passionate entreaty that her country which has borne the worst brunt of the World War needs his healing touch more than any other country in Europe.

Reads The Message of the Forest at Vienna University, audience includes Austrian President. Meeting with musicologist Prof. Adler in the evening.

Sees Wagner's Die Meistersinger at Vienna Opera House.

Austrian President gives a lunch in his honour in the ministry of foreign affairs. Academics and diplomats attend.

Reads from his writings at the Concert Hall in the evening. Programme organised by Hugo Heller. Proceeds donated to poor Vienna children.

At 10 AM leaves for Prague in a special saloon arranged by the Czech Republic which is organising the tour. The Czech President Dr. Tomas Massaryk had already met the poet in France.

Arrives in Prague -- received by famous Indologists Moriz Winternitz and Vincenc Lesny and representatives of the government.

Reads The Message of the Forest at Czech University in the morning.

Reads from his writings before a huge audience of students at the Concert Hall.

Visits a school for the visually handicapped and meets the founder Mr. Bakule.

Tea at Professor Lesny's in the evening.

Reads The Village Mystics of Bengal at German University in the afternoon.

In his welcome address Winternitz calls him "a friend and brother."

Poet dines with Winternitz, invites him and Lesny to visit Santiniketan as guest lecturers.They accept the invitation.

Leaves for Strasbourg via Paris accompanied by his son.

Arrives at Strasbourg.

Received and felicitated at Strasburg University on 22nd and 23rd June. 'Tetes Hindou' organised in his honour. They read articles on him; Janaganamana translated by Sylvain Levi into French with Kalidas Nag's assistance is sung. Rabindranath is also presented with a collection of french classics.

Pratima Devi has meanwhile attended many studios and learnt fresco painting and many kinds of applied arts now joins them. Later she'll put her skills to good use at Kalabhaban, Santiniketan.

Lunch at Srisardarji Raoji Rana's residence.

Tea party is given by Indians residing in Paris in his honour. Vandemataram is sung.

Sails for India aboard the Morea.

Subhas Chandra Bose, who's also returning home after his success in the ICS examinations joins the poet aboard. Jagadishchandra's nephew Aurobindomohan is also on board.

Conversation with the poet about the situation in India and the Non-cooperation Movement during the voyage.

Poet writes 13 letters to Andrews during the voyage nine of which are later collected in Letters from Abroad and describe his reactions to the overwhelming response of the western public during his tour. Among other things he wistfully remarks that solitude has disappeared from his life ever since he won global fame. Stoically accepts differences of opinion with Andrews as far as the Gandhian movement is concerned.

Disembarks at Bombay.

Received at the station by Prasantachandra Mahalanabish.

Arrives in Kolkata.

Pestered by newspapermen to give his opinion on the Non-cooperation Movement.

Followers of Gandhiji including the novelist Saratchandra whom the poet considers to be a truly great writer arrive at Jorasanko persuades him to publicly support the movement and speak in favour of the charkha and other programmes of the movement.

Poet fails to agree with them. Saratchandra leaves in a huff.

To his dismay he finds that he is politically in a minority not only in Kolkata, but in Santiniketan too, where his elder brother Dwijendranath, Andrews, Nepalchandra, Bidhusekhar, etc. are ardent supporters of the Gandhian movement.

Returns to Santiniketan.

Meanwhile Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee, VC of Calcutta University has requested him to deliver a series of lectures at the University.

Acceding to the request writes Sikshar Milan.

Reads Sikshar Milan before an audience of the residents of the Ashram.

Conducts weekly prayers in the ashram temple after a long time. It's a remarkable speech and beautifully blends scientific knowledge with spiritual urge.

A session of songs for the rainy season performed. It's a ritu-utsav and the following songs are sung.

• Viswa-veena rabey

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• Shangana-gaganey

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• Abar eseche asad

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• Jhara jhara barishe

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• Ke dilo abar aghat

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• Bujhi elo, bujhi elo, orey pran

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• Kothay alo

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• Abar sravan hoey ele phirey

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• Amar din phuralo

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• Aaj bari jharey jharo jharo

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Published as a booklet.

Reads the essay at a mammoth meeting organised by Jatiya Siksha Parishad at the University Institute Hall to felicitate the poet. Asutosh Chowdhury presides. Sir Asutosh, Andrews are also present.

In conclusion he stresses his vision of a world university for dissemination and development of knowledge and wisdom -- "That is why it is my heartfelt longing that the institutions of learning in our country should be the meeting point of East and West…I pray that India may erect the guest house on behalf of the entire Eastern hemisphere to promote the pursuit of truth...she possesses the wealth of Sadhana. By virtue of this wealth she will invite the world and in turn will receive invitations from all over the world..."

Gandhiji and Maulana Mohammad Saukat Ali call on him. But their differences of opinion persist.

Tagore again speaks on education and culture before a big audience which includes a number of women at Alfred Hall in the evening. Acharya Prafullachandra Roy presides. Rabindranath powerfully reiterates his opinions. Saratchandra's poor critique of the poet's views expressed at this meeting will be printed in the Narayana (Nov-Dec issue). Before long, however, he will write to the poet regretting his rashness (letter dated 9th May, 1922).

Poet is felicitated by Sevasamiti.

Rabindranath is felicitated by Pratibha Devi's Sangeetsangha at its tenth rakhi-sammelan. He is presented with an address and his songs are sung. He delivers a speech in reply. The proceeds are donated to the Khulna Famine Relief Fund.

Rabindranath is the first recipient of the Jagattarini Gold medal awarded by Calcutta University "for original contribution to Letters written in the Bengali Language."

Reads Satyer Ahwan at The University Institute Hall in which he clearly sets forth his critical stance vis-à-vis the Gandhian movement now in full swing while recognizing Gandhiji's unique role in mobilizing the masses of the people. Gandhiji himself writes a rebuttal--The Great Sentinel in which he states--"When there is war the poet lays down his lyre, the lawyer his law reports, the school-boy his books. The poet will sing the true note after the war is over…"

Saratchandra's poor critique of the poet's views expressed at this meeting will be printed in the Narayana (Nov-Dec issue). Before long, however, he will write to the poet regretting his rashness (letter dated 9th May, 1922).

Inspired by ritu-utsav in Santiniketan he now writes a few new songs.

• Badal meghe madal bajey 26th August, 1921

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• Ogo amar sravanmegher kheyatarir majhi 27th August, 1921

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• Timir abagunthaney badan taba dhaki 29th August, 1921

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• Ei sravaner booker bhitar 31st August, 1921

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• Megher koley koley 2nd September, 1921

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Varsha-mangal is celebrated with flourish [2nd and 3rd September]. Seventeen songs are sung; the poet himself sings a few songs and recites poems.

• Viswaveenarabey viswajan

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• Abar esechhe asad

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• Badal meghe madal bajey

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• Aju moron ban boley

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• Ogo amar sravanmegher kheyatarir majhi

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• Timir abagunthaney badan taba dhaki

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• Jhara jhara barishe

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• Gaaner surer ashana khani

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• Amar nisitha rater badal dhara

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• E bhara badara

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• Dukher barashay

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• Harey re re re re

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• Amar din phuralo

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• Sravaner dharar moto parook jhorey

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• Utal dhara badal

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• Aaj bari jharey jharo jharo

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• Ei sravaner booker bhitar

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Poet felicitated at a function called 'Rabindramangal' organised by Bangiya Sahitya Parishad. Jagadindranath Roy, Maharaja of Natore, presides.

Gandhiji at Jorasanko, their conversation lasts almost four hours. Gandhi fails to convert the poet to his views. While the conversation is in progress, a bonfire of imported British dress materials is made at Jorasanko by Satyagrahi-s.

Macmillan & Co. published The Fugitive.

Satyendranath Majumdar's Gandhi o Rabindranath is published; it's a violent attack on Rabindranath for his differences with Gandhi.

Puja vacation commences in Santiniketan.

James H. Cousins and his wife in Santiniketan.

E.P. Thompson arrives. His book--Rabindranath Tagore/His Life and Work has already been published.

Sukumar Ray also comes with his son Satyajit during the Puja vacation.

Sylvain Levi - accompanied by his wife - has already sailed for India. Rabindranath now writes to Sir Asutosh Mukherjee, VC of Calcutta University requesting him that the University should pay prof. Levi half of the passage money, as previously agreed upon. Asutosh promises to do it.

The Levis arrive in Santiniketan accompanied by Rathindranath to a warm welcome. Received by the poet.

The poet begins lectures on the poems of Balaka for the advanced students of Santiniketan.

Levi starts teaching the Chinese and Tibetan languages. Mrs. Levi teaches French. Students of Calcutta University also come to attend his lectures. Prabodhchandra Bagchi(later a Vice-chancellor of Visva-Bharati University) is among them.

Elmhirst and Pearson arrive in Santiniketan. They've come to join Rabindranath's unique mission of new education.

Lucian Ernest Laronce visits Santiniketan, dines with Levi.

Rabindranath writes new songs.

• Ami elem tari dwarey 18th November, 1921

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• Pachhey sur bhuli 20th November, 1921

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• Vasanta tar gaan likhey 19th November, 1921

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• Rajanir sesh tara 25th November, 1921

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• Deep nibey gechhe mama 26th November, 1921

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• Samoy karo je nai 28th November, 1921

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Nagendranath Ganguly, poet's son-in-law, joins Calcutta University, thanks to Asutosh's initiative.

Elmhirst has already collected a team of like-minded men and settled down to his task. Rathindranath writes to Mrs. Moody informing her of all this and reports--"We are now very busy drawing up a new constitution foe the whole institution."

Acharya Brajendranath writes to the poet, wishes to see him. This probably sets in motion the chain of thoughts in his mind which culminates in his decision to hand over Visva-Bharati to the nation at a meeting presided over by Brajendranath latest by Poush Utsav.

Held in Santiniketan. Poet delivers an address later printed under the title Diksha (Santiniketan , Phalgun issue).

"Though this Visva-Bharati is a product of India, it must be transformed into an arena where all men and women can pursue their goals and perform tapasya." Thus speaks Rabindranath on the occasion when the Council (Parishad-sabha) of Visva-Bharati begins to function.The creation of the Council is celebrated in the historic Amrakunja with a host of academic celebrities-Brajendranath Seal, Sylvain Levi, etc. attending.

In the evening the third act of the Sanskrit play Benisamhar and selected scenes of Visarjan are performed to entertain the guests.

On his way to Shilaidaha via Kolkata.

Starts writing Muktadhara and finishes it in a few days.