Rabisarani

Severe famine in Bankura. Sadharan Brahmasamaj, Bangiya Hitasadhan Mandali and other voluntary organizations engaged in extensive relief work. Relief funds are being raised. Poet suggests that his play Phalguni be performed and the proceeds be donated towards relief. Abanindranath, Gaganendranath, etc. all come to perform. From Santiniketan poet writes to Thomson saying he is “up to my neck in the rehearsals..."

Writes a suitable introductory scene or curtain raiser for the play – Bairagya sadhan - which has no female characters. He also writes Bengali and English programmes to arouse public interest.

Irish poet, art critic and educationist James H. Cousins who is a friend of Yeats and Annie Besant comes to see the poet at Jorasanko. They've already exchanged correspondence. A long association between the two gets under way.

The 86th annual festival Maghotsav observed. Morning session held at Brahmasamaj mandir as usual. Evening session held at Jorasanko. Poet speaks at both the sessions and refers to the European conflict raging. A choir of students from the Vidyalaya sings the songs.

• Mana jago mangala lokey

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• Mor prabhater ei pratham

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• Rahi rahi ananda taranga

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• Nishidin more paraney

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• Charana dharity deo go amare

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• Aaj aloker ei jharna dharai

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• Ei to tomar alok-dhenu

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• Agnibeena bajao tumi

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• Aghat korey niley jiney

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• Andhakarer utsa hotey

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• Megh bolechhe 'jabo jabo'

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• Orey bhiru, tomar hatey nai

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• Sara jeevan dilo alo

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The play Bairagya Sadhyan & Phalguni are performed at Jorasanko mansion on a meticulously crafted stage. Poet performs in both the prelude and the play proper. The cast consists of Abanindranath, Gaganendranath, Rathindranath, Dinendranath, Pearson, Asit Kumar Halder, Ajitkumar Chrakrabarty,etc. The production, with its highly innovative stage settings and scenery, marks a watershed in the history of Bengali theatre.

Performance of Bairagya Sadhyan & Phalguni repeated.

Poet goes to Shilaidaha for rest.

Three young artists -- Nandalal Bose, Surendranath kar and Mukul Dey descend on Shilaidaha and sit at feet for days on end, receiving lessons in what Nandalal calls "practical nature-study" and a unique glimpse of life into which they are initiated by him. Nandalal produces a number of sketches during this visit.

Writes the last installment of the novel Ghare–baire and three poems.

• Eikshane/more hridayer19th February,1916

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• Tomarey ki bar bar 20th February,1916

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• Je katha bolitey chai 20th February,1916

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Goes to Patisar by boat with Pearson to make arrangements for the proper management of the Patisar Hitoishi Fund and ensure that young men, who've come here - inspired by him for rural service, get on well with the local people.

For him "It has been a delightful experience to be living on the boat with him and to see him with his tenants who love him so deeply—". Pearson's translation of the poet's Sesher Ratri is printed in the Modern Review under the title Mashi.

Dinendranath leaves Santiniketan. This saddens the poet.

Phalguni is published by Indian Press, Allahabad and dedicated to Dinendranath.

Writes the essay Chhatrasasantantra (printed in Sabuj Patra). Its English translation-Indian Students and Western Teachers -is printed in the Modern Review (April, 1916). In this carefully calibrated reaction to the infamous Oaten affair at Presidency College, Calcutta, involving Subhas Chandra Bose poet criticises racist colonial arrogance on the part of the English teachers and stands up for the students.

Writes -- Jouban rey, tui ki rabi.

The new viceroy Chelmsford arrives in Bombay.

The former viceroy Hardinge leaves India.

In early April (mid & late Chaitra) the songs keep coming in a steady flow and seem to write themselves out with effortless ease. And all of them seem to enact a journey of some kind.

• Ami pathbhola ek pathik3rd April,1916

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• Tumi kon pathe je eley 3rd April,1916

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• Jakhan padbe na mor payer chinha 4th April,1916

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• Ei to bhalo legechhilo 8th April,1916

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• Taritey paa dii ni 8th April,1916

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• Tomar holo suru 9th April,1916

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• Ganer surer asanakhani 10th April,1916

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• Amarey bandhbi tora 10th April,1916

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• Oi sagarer dheuey dheuey 11th April,1916

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• Na hoy tomar ja hoechhey11th April,1916

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• Orey amar hridoy amar 12th April,1916

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• Emni korei jai jadi din jak na 13th April,1916

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Rabindranath again yields to wanderlust. Another reason why he's keen to go abroad is the acute need of funds for developing the school -- a task in which he increasingly invests all his energy. He has been invited to give a series of lectures in the USA too. Plans to go to USA via the Pacific and Japan. Writes to Rathindranath, instructing him to make arrangements as soon as possible. Andrews will go with him.

Writes -- Puratan batsarer jirna klanta ratri, which completes the next anthology - Balaka.

Tilak sets up his Home Rule League. Annie Besant will also set up her Home Rule League in September, 1916.

The poet sails for Japan from Calcutta on the Japanese boat Tosa – Maru accompanied by Andrews, Pearson and the young Mukul Dey.

On his foreign tour, Rabindranath lands at Rangoon (now Yangon) in Burma (now Myanmar).

Another birthday comes round, he is fifty six years old.

At Rangoon in Burma, the poet is welcomed at a gorgeous reception organised by the resident Bengalis and Burmese intellectuals. Two addresses in Bengali and English are read and presented to him in silver caskets.

Rabindranath writes to Pratima Devi from Rangoon, "…Come to think of it, now I feel it would have been much better if, instead of wandering about elsewhere, I could have spent 3/4 months in a local Buddhist monastery…"

Poet arrives Singapore.

Poet leaves Singapore.

Pearson writes Rathindranath that on the way to Hong Kong, poet has done "two very fine translations" Raja o Rani and Viswarjan.

During the foreign tour, in Hong Kong the poet receives telegrams and letters from Japan congratulating him. The boat is instructed by Japanese authorities to sail straight to Japan because the Japanese are very keen to receive the poet. Leaves Hong Kong.

During the last lap of the voyage poet translates the play Malini into English; also writes an address to be delivered in Japan.

The account of this visit to Japan, Japanjatri is also proceeding slowly.

At last the storm-tossed voyage ends as they land in Kobe, Japan.

As the poet's voyage lands at Kobe, Japan, as usual they are mobbed by reporters and photographers. The poet is received by some Indian residents in Japan whose telegrams inviting him to Japan was received by him in Hong Kong. He's also received by his Japanese friends--artists Yokoyama Taikan, Katsuda Shokin, Sano Jinnosuke (former teacher at the Vidyalaya) and the well-known traveller Kawaguchi Ekkai.

On his Japan tour, Rabindranath is the guest of a Gujarati merchant – Mr. Morarji.

On his visit to Japan, Rabindranath is felicitated at the local Oriental Club by the Indians residing in Kobe and Osaka.

When Rabindranath is felicitated at the local Oriental Club by the Indians residing at Kobe in Japan, an address is read welcoming the poet and presented to him in a "very handsome carved ivory casket."

After Rabindranath is felicitated at the local Oriental Club at Kobe in Japan, later in the day he meets the ladies of the Saturday Morning Club and reads from the translations.

In Japan, Rabindranath visits Osaka and delivers his first considerable lecture of this tour -- India and Japan at Tennoji Hall at the invitation of the Osaka Asahi Shimbun newspaper.

While delivering his first considerable lecture of the Japan tour -- India and Japan at Tennoji Hall, Rabindranath says he has noticed "The whirlwind of modern civilization" as elsewhere in the world but is unable to find the true Japan he is looking for.

In the first lecture -- India and Japan given at Tennoji Hall, Osaka in Japan, Rabindranath’s statement about Japan – that he has noticed "The whirlwind of modern civilization" as elsewhere in the world but is unable to find the true Japan he is looking for, is well received by the audience but the Tokyo Asahi, the most important Japanese newspaper, is rather dismissive in its report.

In his Japan tour, two Japanese ladies come and show him several ways of arranging flowers. Poet is all praise for their skills.

In Japan, the poet is invited to a tea party by Mr. Muraiyama -- owner of the Asahi newspaper. Poet highly appreciates the modesty, sophistication, decorum and the restrained yet graceful behaviour of women he encounters in the aristocratic household.

While visiting Japan, almost at every station the Japanese and Indians gather to greet Rabindranath with flowers; more than twenty thousand people gather at Tokyo railway station to greet the poet.

In Japan, Rabindranath and his travelling companions are taken to Taikan's house where the poet is graciously received by Mrs. Taikan and Okakura's widow. Pearson writes that they have "reached the heart of Japan after having experienced the modernised and Westrnised Japan." Poet gives vent to similar feelings.

Accompanied by Andrews and Pearson, Rabindranath meets Count Okuma Shigenobu, Prime minister of Japan. The noted Buddhist scholar Anesaki Masaharu acts as the interpreter.

Rabindranath and his companions are shown around the Waseda University.

Poet visits the school of art Nippon Bijitsu-In founded by the late Okakura and now run by Taikan.

Poet speaks on "Ideals of Art" before the teachers and students of the school of art Nippon Bijitsu-In. Then the exhibition of pictures is formally opened.

Later in the evening at the best restaurant of Tokyo the poet is entertained with a classical performance of Japanese dance.” it seems as if it (dance) is the music of physical movement…Japanese dance is absolutely total dance. There is not the slightest bit of nakedness in its costumes..."

The next day poet delivers his address The Message of India to Japan at Tokyo Imperial University before an audience of fifteen hundred strong with a sizable presence of Indians, Americans and Englishmen. Present amongst the audience was Mirra Richard, later known as Sree Maa or The Mother.

Rabindranath characterises western civilisation as “Political Civilisation" which "is scientific, not human…it enshrines gigantic idols of greed in its temples…there is a moral law in this world which has its applications both to individuals and organised bodies of men. You cannot go on violating these laws in the name of your nation, yet enjoy their advantage as individuals..."he warns Japan to steer clear of its pitfalls and cling to her spiritual values. Romain Rolland will soon hail this address as a sign post which points to a bend in human history.

Buddhists felicitate the poet in an entirely Japanese style in the presence of the Tokyo elite in Kaneiji Buddhist temple at Uyeno Park.

Visits Tokyo Normal School.

Leaves Tokyo and retreats to more peaceful Yokohama where he spends the next two months at the invitation of Hara Tomitaro, a wealthy silk merchant. Poet speaks in glowing terms of his host Tomitaro. In Tomitaro's house he sees high class paintings by Taikan and Koanjan Shimomura. He is fascinated and writes about them in his letters to Rathindranath and Abanindranath.

Perhaps as a reaction to what is seen as the poet's pacifism by at least a section of the Japanese elite, enthusiasm for Tagore rather rapidly ebbs away, leaving him an eminent but rather isolated figure in the aftermath of the Tokyo university lecture.

He seeks refuge in his verse, writes The Song of the Defeated, Thanksgiving -- original English poems and translates many of the Kanika poems into English.

Japan Women's University invites him to dinner.

The same day he speaks in the afternoon to students of private colleges at Keio University on The Spirit of Japan. In this lecture he praises Japan's progress in many fields but comes down more sternly than before on Japan's imitation of the west. Criticism of his views in the press is increasingly bitter. Japan has benefited enormously at the expense of China cynically making the most of its position as a partner of the allies in the Pacific, grabbed German possessions in the Far East and is eying further gains. Predatory nationalism and militarism is ascendant in Japan and no wonder there are few takers for the poet's views.

Visits the Zen Sojiji monastery near Yokohama.

Since his visit to the USA has been put off till September, he utilises the breather thus gained writing lectures for the forthcoming lecture tour.

Spends 3/4 days with graduates and teachers of Tokyo Women's university on Karuizawa hill at their invitation. Pearson and Andrews are with him. Pearson will later write--"These women students with their deep devotion had listened to the message of their Bengali guest, and had served him with their love and reverence."

Rabindranath and his travel partners spend a few days at the sea-side residence of Okakura's widow and son at their invitation in Idzura.

Rabindranath with his companions come back to Yokohama after meeting with Okakura's widow and son.

Poet makes the acquaintance of painter Kampo Arai at Hara Tomitaro's house. Engages him to copy paintings in Tomitaro's collection and invites him to visit India and stay at Jorasanko. Writes to Rathindranath asking him to make arrangements for his stay when he arrives 2/3 months later.

Meanwhle arrangements have been completed by his American agent J.B.Pond in the USA for a fast-paced lecture tour which will take him across the USA and back again to the Pacific coast.

Leaves Japan, sails from Yokohama. Andrews returns to India. Poet's accompanied by Pearson and Mukul.

Arrives in Seattle, USA.

During his first visit (1912-13) to USA he was but a stranger here with few friends and acquaintances in an essentially alien country. Three years later he is an honoured and internationally known, though exotic literary figure whose voice commands attention and respect. There's another crucial difference, though. The main purpose of this lecture tour is to raise badly needed funds for the development and expansion of the Santiniketan Vidyalaya. Poet is always, often painfully aware of this and this awareness is reflected in his letters to relatives and friends.

The lectures he'll deliver in USA won't be fundamentally different from the ones he recently delivered in Japan, will differentiate narrow, soul-destroying nationalism from international humanism -- his solution for the evils of a war-torn world as sharply as before and offer a trenchant critique of western “Political Civilisation." The reactions will be more widespread, somewhat more sensational for several reasons. In the first place, this is an English-speaking country; secondly, as his tour will progress, the country's entry in the War will be more and more imminent and this will cast its shadow on everything; thirdly the Gadar Party of expatriate, anti-British Indians will maintain a hostile stance towards him.

Reads the address - The Cult of Nationalism before a large gathering at the Sunset Club in USA. Gives another reading at Macaulay's Theatre in the evening.

Delivers the lecture The Cult of Nationalism at a meeting organised by the Drama League of America at Lincoln High School. This address will be later published in the anthology Nationalism (1917) under the title Nationalism in West. It is a seminal essay and strikes the keynote of all his utterances on the subject powerfully, even vehemently drawing both criticism and praise.

Hungry Stone & other Stories published by Macmillan, London.

Reads The Cult of nationalism at St. Francis Hotel.

Lectures local Japanese at Scottish Rite Hall. Lectures are well received, there's some criticism too.

Poet's feted at a dinner given by Bohemian Club in his honour.

Gives readings from new translations at Columbia Theatre.

Reads The Cult of Nationalism at Little Theatre, Montecito.

Delivers The Cult at Cumnock School of Expression.

Reads The Cult before an audience of two thousand strong.

Poet writes to Rathindranath. The letter is significant because it explains why he’s exerting himself so manfully and contains an early statement of the mission which will before long crystallise in the vision of Viswabharati. It also lays stress on universal humanism as opposed to predatory nationalism.

Delivers The Cult address at Isis Theatre.

Poet returns to LA; gives public reading of poems and stories which is a huge success.

Reads The Cult before an enthusiastic crowd at Salt Lake City, USA.

Reads The Cult at Denver.

Reads The Cult at Boulder.

Reads The Cult at Colorado Springs.

Arrives to the warm welcome of Mrs. Moody and other friends at Chicago.

Mrs. Seymour comes over from Urbana to see him at Chicago.

Delivers The Cult lecture at Orchestra Hall.

Reads The Cult address at Iowa State University.

Priyanath Sen passes away at Calcutta.

American edition of Hungry Stone & other Stories published by Macmillan, New York.

Delivers The World of Personality address at Claypool Hotel in Indianapolis.

Hungry Stone & other Stories gains great popularity in USA. Reprinted in November and December.

Soaring demand is directly fuelled by growing interest in visit to the USA.

Here he reads The Cult at Milwaukee in USA.

A memorable meeting takes place when the poet is in his visit to the USA; Maria Montessori comes to see him. They will meet again years later in India.

Delivers The Cult address at Kentucky, Louisville. It's received with divided feelings.

Delivers The Cult lecture at Tennessee, Nashville.

Reads The Cult to a large audience of the cream of the city Michigan, Detroit. Press reaction is generally favourable.

Rabindranath meets Henry Ford on his USA tour.

Delivers The World of Personality address at Twentieth Century Club. There are mixed reactions ranging from mockery to sincere praise.

The anthology Stray Birds of translated poems is published by Macmillan, New York.

Arrives in New York. Stays at E.W. Paterson's house. Accommodation arranged by Mrs. Moody. Newspapers pay considerable attention to him, print interviews in which poet speaks candidly expressing his views on a range of subjects with the same boldness which characterises his choice of The Cult of Nationalism for public reading in spite of sharp reactions provoked by it.

G.P. Brett of Macmillan Co., New York, who has a great respect for him, comes to see the poet.

Delivers The Cult address at a meeting at Carnegie hall organised by Society of Ethical Culture in USA.

The audience is one of the largest ever addressed by the poet in the USA, numbers more than 3000 and the majority are women.

Reads The World of Personality lecture at Hudson Theatre in USA.

Gives readings from his writings at Hudson Theatre in USA.

Reads his poems at Ogontz School for Girls, later meets the press at Philadelphia in USA.

Delivers The Cult lecture at New Jersey, Paterson in USA.

Back in Philadelphia he reads The Cult at the Academy of Music Hall.

Decides to cut short the lecture tour in USA and announces the decision.

Reads What is Art? at Twentieth Century Club at Buffalo, USA.

In his last appearance at New York, reads from his published and unpublished writings.

Delivers The Cult address at Ohio, Columbus in USA.

Reads The Cult lecture at Gray's Armory, Cleveland in USA.

Gives a reading from his writings at Orchestra Hall, Chicago in USA.

At last comes to Urbana to meet friends of the Tagore Circle, spends altogether nine days, from 22nd to 31st December, 1916 here and gives seven readings from his writings.