Rabisarani

Writes Leela

Writes Godhulilagna.

The first anniversary of Maharshi Debendranath Tagore's death observed. The poet is in Calcutta (now Kolkata).

Rabindranath reads the article Rajbhakti before an audience at the Field and Academy Club.

67th Maghotsav festival celebrated. The poet speaks on the occasion.

Brahmasangeet-Swaralipi (2nd part) containing 50 songs (35 by Rabindranath) compiled by Kangalicharan Sen and dedicated to the poet published.

Goes to Shilaidaha.

While in Shilaidaha he writes a few pieces

• Ami keman kariya janabo

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• Bichhed

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• Aaj booker asan chinre

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• Setuku tor anek achhe

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• (Bhaar) Tumi jato bhaar diyechho se bhaar

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• Tika

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Returns to Calcutta (now Kolkata) though the political temperature of the city isn't to his liking.

Patriotic songs sung by the poet first recorded on Pathephone by Hemendramohan Basu of Kuntaleen fame.

The poet is in Calcutta (now Kolkata) as Rathindanath prepares to sail for USA for higher studies.

Rabindranath addresses the students of The Dawn Society. He praises Satishchandra Mukhopadhyay, who's a saintly figure, thinks ahead of his time and initiated efforts on his own to spread education years ago.

Rabindranath is anxious to find a suitable groom for Meera who is now 12 years old in spite of his known opposition to child marriage.

Rathindranath and Santoshchandra Majumdar embark on their voyage to USA via Japan. Grand felicitation offered in Santiniketan before journey.

In a brief, busy spell writes a few poems during his stay in (now Kolkata) and Santiniketan during the period 20th March to 28th March.

• Nirudyam 20th March,1906

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• Kripon 22th March,1906

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• Kooar Dhare 23th March,1906

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• Jagaran 24th March,1906

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• Phool Photano 25th March,1906

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• Nid o Akash 26th March,1906

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• Haar 26th March,1906

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• Vidai 28th March, 1906

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• Pather Sesh 28th March, 1906

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The Chaitra issue of Bangadarshan magazine, publishes the poet's Bengali translation of Sarojini Naidu's English poem Palanquin Bearers.

With the poem Pather Sesh ends another cycle of the anthology Kheya; it seamlessly blends the notes of mysticism and romantic lyricism in these poems.

The poet arrives in Agartala.

Rabindranath discusses with the Maharaja about internal issues and problems of Tripura.

Travels to Barishal by boat to attend the Sahityasammilani (a literary conference) to be held after the Bangiya Pradeshik Sammelan, as president of the literary conference.

Rabindranath arrives in Barishal to attend the literary conference to be held after the Bangiya Pradeshik Sammelan and stays in a houseboat.

British high-handedness and tyranny. Vande Mataram banned.

Sahityasammilani (literary conference) abandoned. The poet leaves for Calcutta (now Kolkata).

Once in Calcutta (now Kolkata), he immediately leaves for Bolpur; for the poet wishes to "go to Bolpur and immerse himself in inertia".

Rabindranath goes to Bolpur to have a breather. His muse takes advantage of this breather and the result is six poems in four days showing how his external and inner lives usually follow different orbits. The current unrest doesn't trouble the texture of the verse in these poems.

• Samudre 20th April,1906

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• Baisakhe 22th April,1906

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• Dinsesh 21st April,1906

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• Pathik 21st April,1906

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• Bandi 22nd April,1906

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• Samapti 23rd April,1906

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As Rabindranath goes to Bolpur to take a breather, a letter written to Dineshchandra Sen at this time reflects the same mood - "Please don't talk of work any more, I'm on holiday now….Therefore I've slipped away now."

Rabindranath is in Bolpur for taking a rest, but he can not slip away after all, the Barisal outrage calls forth massive protest everywhere in Bengal.

The poet returns to Calcutta (now Kolkata) from Bolpur and at a massive meeting organised at Pasupatinath Bose's Bagbagar mansion, he reads the address Deshanayak articulating the wounded sentiments of his countrymen.

In the address Deshanayak, given at a massive meeting at Pasupatinath Bose's Bagbagar mansion, Rabindranath also urges his people to accept Surendranath Banerjee as their supremo at this juncture. But later Surendranath will let his people down.

Rabindranath spends just a couple of days in Calcutta (now Kolkata), writes the poem Pratiksha.

On his 46th birthday the poet is in Bolpur.

Writes Dighi

Writes Kokil.

Rabindranath ceases to be the editor of the magazine, but his association with Bangadarshan will continue.

Maharshi Debendranath Tagore's birthday is celebrated in a grand manner at Jorasanko.

The poet is back to Bolpur.

Returns to Calcutta (now Kolkata).

Nationalism and Internationalism now start inter-blending in his thoughts and the process can be seen at work even in letters written around this time. For example, the letter written to Saileshchandra - "I am not in favour of belligerent and xenophobic national sentiment, I support definite natural rights and harmonious national sentiment. The speciality of each nation is the heritage of all human beings....but I do not consider foreign-phobia to be good or salutary."

Though Rabindranath wants to escape the madding din and bustle of Calcutta (now Kolkata), he is prolific as ever here too, and poems continue to come.

• Gaan Sona 26th May,1906

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• Jagaran 28th May,1906

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Writes Jhad.

The Shivaji Utsav is celebrated with flourish in the presence of the Marathi leaders - Tilak, Khaparde and Munje.

The poet does not attend the Shivaji Utsav as the idol of the goddess Bhavani is worshiped at the celebration.

Rabindranath reads the significant essay Sikshasamasya before an audience at the YMCA Overtoon hall.

The essay Sikshasamasya written by Rabindranath is significant because it states what he is currently trying to accomplish at his Bramhacharyasrama at Santiniketan and foreshadows the later development of his vision. "Therefore, if an ideal school is to be set up, a place has to be found for it away from populous conglomerates in the solitude of wide open fields, trees and the wide open skies above, where the teachers will be engaged in quiet study and teaching and the students will be able to develop amidst these pursuits."

Mohitchandra Sen, the editor of Kabya Grantha dies in the prime of life. The poet loses a valuable associate and friend. His tribute article titled 'Mohitchandra Sen' later published in the magazine Bangadarshan.

Mohitchandra Sen's widow Sushila Devi is employed in the ashram-school.

The book Ingraji Sopan (3 parts combined) written by Rabindranath is published.

In June and early July the poet writes eight poems

• Prachchhanna 16th June,1906

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• Anuman 18th June,1906

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• Varshaprabhat 21st June,1906

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• Sab-peyechhir Desh 23rd June,1906

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• Varshasandhya 23rd June,1906

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• Haradhan 24th June,1906

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• Chanchalya 27th June,1906

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• Utsarga 2nd July,1906

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• Prarthana 4th July,1906

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• Sarthak Nairashya 3rd July,1906

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He writes a few songs in the Bengali year 1313.

• Amar matha nata korey dao

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• Ami bahu basanaay pranpaney chai

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• Kata ajanare janaile tumi

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• Bipadey morey raksha karo

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The poet is suffering from piles. In early July he is in Calcutta (now Kolkata) to receive medical treatment.

Now transferred to Gaya, he grows more hostile to the poet.

Also transferred to Gaya, he too, grows increasingly hostile.

Bengal Technical Institute, a separate institution set up at 92, Upper Circular Road.

The formidable duo Dwijendralal Roy and Lokendranath Palit harshly criticise what in their opinion is the weakness of Rabindranath's writings.

During the period of D.L Roy and Lokendranath Palit's criticism towards Rabindranath's writings, D.L. Roy is particularly severe on what Rabindranath terms the prurience, lewdness of his writings.

During the period of D.L Roy and Lokendranath Palit's criticism towards Rabindranath's writings, Loken's hostility particularly hurts Rabindranath, but on the whole the poet chooses to ignore this misconceived criticism in silence.

As D.L.Roy and Lokendranath Palit constantly criticise Rabindranath's writings, poet asks his friends and admirers not to be provoked into counterattacking, either.

The Ashad (June-July) issue of Bhandar carries this short but not insignificant article in which the education systems of Ireland and India both British colonies are discussed and indigenous education is stressed.

He asserts, "We can never agree to perpetuating sycophancy and servility through the schools. Hence, the time has come when we must somehow take the education system in our own hands."

To give a thrust to technological education, Taraknath Palit, Dr. Nilratan Sarkar,etc. decide to set up a technology institute. Rabindranath consulted.

Vandematarama patriotic daily newspaper launched. Aurobindo Ghosh, Bipin Pal and others associated with it. Soon it will make history by galvanising widespread anger and resentment against British rule into a revolutionary nationalist movement - the first of its kind seen in India.

This anthology long in the making, published. Rabindranath dedicates it to Jagadishchandra.

Jatiya Siksha Parishad or The National Council of Education is inaugurated at a historic meeting held in the Town Hall and presided over by Rashbihari Ghosh.

At this meeting Rabindranath reads the essay Jatiya Vidyalaya. In ringing words that have stood the test of time he articulates the noble enthusiastic optimism buoying up Bengal at this time--"…but today we must feel the pride and celebrate. I am saying to the students; let pride fill your whole heart as you enter the institution of learning of your country. try to feel that a successful image of the power of the Bengali nation has summoned you before her throne; the more you truly obey her, the more she will acquire prowess and that prowess will make all of us brave....Its prestige lies not in such things as massive buildings, big plots of land...but in the respect you feel for it, you devotion and the fact that the Bengalis are yielding to it. The will of the bengalis brought into being and this devotion will protect it--this is precisely what constitutes its prestige which makes us proud."

Aurobindo Ghosh (later known as Sri Aurobindo) elected the first principal. Fifty years later it will grow into Jadavpur University.

Formerly serialised in the Bangadarshan, this novel is now published.

Lakshmir Pariksha is performed by a female cast during a swadeshi mela (from 14th to 18th September, 1906) organised by Mahila Shilpa Samity.

The first aniversary of Rakhi-Bandhan and swadeshi agitation launched in 1905 comes and goes. The poet is silent.

Somewhat disenchanted with the course of events, he states in a letter written from Bolpur to Sucharu Devi (daughter of Keshab Chandra Sen) at this time,"… I have been sitting quietly out here by the field and looking after my school and I've disengaged myself from all other responsibilities…"

Bhupendranath away in Burdwan, ill and bed-ridden. His school badly needs competent teachers. Poet worried on this score.

In one of his several letters written to daughter Meera in English (intended to induce her to acquire a command of spoken and written English) he talks about the school - "Some of my boys are down with fever, they brought this from home and our trouble with them won't be over till the cold season sets in right earnest. Altogether we are very busy with the reopening of the school."

Poet reads this article at a special meeting of the Alochana Samity held at Overtoon Hall and presided over by Hirendranath Dutta.

The intellectual elite of the city present at the meeting and Bipinchandra, Brahmabandhab, etc. take part in the discussion that follows.

16th annual Brahma festival (Poush utsav) held in Santiniketan.

Poet's addresses delivered at the morning and evening prayers later published as Anandarup and Santang Shivamadwaitam .

22nd annual session of the Congress Party held in Kolkata from 26th to 28th December, 1906. Dadabhai Nauroji presides.