Rabisarani

Sonar Tari is Published.

Their fourth child – a daughter - Mira (Atasilata) is born.

This is first poem he's writing after the publication of Sonar Tari.

Celebrated at the Jorasanko Mansion. Rabindranath composes six songs for this occasion:

• E Bhavan punyaprabhabe 23rd January,1894

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• Hridayanandanabane 23rd January,1894

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• Ananda dhara bahichhe 23rd January,1894

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• He mahaprabala bali 23rd January,1894

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• Antare jagichho 23rd January,1894

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• Kamana kari ekante 23rd January,1894

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Writes Premer Abhishek, a long poem after Maghotsav; later included in the Chitra. First five-act blank verse play Raja o Rani modeled on Shakespeare in Solapur.

Rabindranath goes to Patisar via Atrai to manage estates.

Reads Bankimchandra's novel Rajsingha on the way.

Writes the fine poem Sandhya while living in a boathouse in Patisar.

Rabindranath's first anthology of short stories (16 stories) published. Later favourably reviewed in an English journal by young Jadunath Sarkar.

Writes this famous poem, Ebar Phirao More, during sojourn in Rampur-boalia with Loken Palit. The new note of rebellious impatience, the call to break out of a placid life of ease and peace into strenuous struggle is the troubling impact of his deepening awareness of the sordid condition of his countrymen in colonial India and probably British brutalities perpetrated in South Africa (Zulu War).

Reads Amiel's Journal (mentions in a letter to Indira Devi, dated 21.03.1894).

Spends the later half of March at Patisar.

Letters written around this period vividly record his moods and remarkable insights into the life of the people.

Reviews the novel Rajsingha in the Sadhana (Chaitra issue).

Returns to Kolkata in the middle of April.

Writes the dolorous poem Snehasmriti redolent of the late Kadambari Devi's memory and the following ones in a similar vein.

Writes

• Navabarshe April, 1894

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• Dushamay 17th April, 1894

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• Mrittyur Pare 17th April, 1894

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Composes the moving Ohe jibanaballava on the tenth anniversary of Kadambari's death.

In Bankimchandra's memory, meeting organized by Chaitanya Library and Beadon Square Literary Club. Dr. Gurudas Banerjee presides.

Rabindranath reads a long address later printed in the Baishakh issue of Sadhana under the title Bankimchandra.

A significant figure in renascent Bengal, Bhudeb Mukherjee passes away.

Writes the poem Byaghat.

Elder poet Biharilal Chakravarti dies at sixty.

Songs are now coming thick and fast and a wedding (wedding of Dwijendranath's son Sudhindranath with Charubala Devi on 25th May) in the family helps unlock his heart.

• Bajila kahar bina 25th May, 1894

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• Bado bismaya lage heri 26th May, 1894

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• Sundara hridiranjana tumi 27th May, 1894

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• Kato katha tare chhilo balite 29th May, 1894

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• Ogo purabashi ami dware 30th May, 1894

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• Amare karo tomar bina 1st June, 1894

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Rabindranath pays his tribute in an essay titled Biharilal, published in the Ashad issue of Sadhana.

In the second edition published now, Rabindranath drastically revises the play, and says so in a letter he writes to Pramatha Chowdhury, now in Oxford.

Is elected vice-President of Bangiya Sahitya Parishat. The other vice-President is poet Nabin Ch. Sen.

Another visit to Shilaidaha to manage affairs of estates. Writes to Pramathanath, "..I'll have to spend the rainy season in a boathouse. A number of books and a few copy books will go with me."

Numerous letters written to Indira around this time testify to the fact that lonely though he is, he is remarkably at one with nature. Letters 122, 123 for example.

Hammergren, the swedish Brahma and teacher of French to Abanindranath and others, dies. He is cremated at Nimtolla burning ghat by the Brahmas according to his last wish.

The orthodox Hindu press reacts virulently to this 'mlechha' act.

Rabindranath's stinging reply Bideshiya Atithi ebang Deshiya Atithya printed in the Sravan issue of the Sadhana.

2nd edition of Kadi o Komol anthology published.

Attends the third quarterly meeting of the Parishad.

Committee formed to develop Bengali terminology of different kinds. Rabindranath on the committee.

Publishes this satirical political article in the Sravan issue of Sadhana. Writes, "Not only in India, but in England too, the idea is gradually gaining ground that Europe's policies are meant for Europe only. Indians are such a different race that civilised policies are not entirely fit for them." He is indeed thus developing a new variety of discourse in bengali prose .

Spends the greater part of August there.

Letters written around this period to Indira speak lyrically of the different moods of the great river Padma in the rains.

Back in Kolkata.

Attends the third quarterly meeting of the Parishad.

Attends quarterly meeting at Bangiya Sahitya Parishad, introduction of Bengali at the high school and college levels discussed. A circular letter containing the proposal to be circulated among the cognoscenti.

Rabindranath made a judge in an essay contest organised by Chaitanya library and Beadon Square literary Club. Other judges – Jyotirindranath and Haraprasad Sastri.

Continues the line of political articles with the piece Apamaner Pratikar in the Sadhana (Bhadra issue).

Takes over as editor of Sadhana after Sudhindranath ceases to be editor.

Meets elder poet Nabin Chandra sen of Palasir Yuddha fame at his Ranaghat residence.

Goes to Sahajadpur.

Arrives in Patisar.

Goes there by boat to see his friend Rajkumar of Dighpatia, Saratkumar Roy.

On his way to Boalia writes to Indira celebrating the golden sunlight of early autumn, "I am so intensely fond of light and sky! ...When he died, Goethe had said, More light! If I could express any wish of mine at the time (of my death), I would say: More light and more space!"

At the annual session of Chaitanya Library and Beadon Square Literary Club held at Minerva Theatre, reads an essay on women's folk rhymes.

Later published as Meyeli Chhada in Sadhana.

Spends the rest of October there.

Three collections of short stories, viz. Bichitra Galpa 1 & 2 and Kathachatushtay, featuring 19 pieces, published.

Writes the poem Sadhana in Santiniketan.

Writes another political article critical of the British, Subicharer Adhikar.

Initiates steps to improve the management of Sadhana.

He is made a Trustee of the Bhawanipore Brahmasamaj.

Acquaintance and friendship renewed with Manmohan, Aurobindo's elder brother, famous teacher of English literature at Presidency College and well-known Indo-Anglian poet.

Attends 6th monthly meeting presided over by Ramesh Chandra Dutta.

Sadhana, the first issue of the fourth year of its existence, is published directly under the poet's editorship.

As usual, Rabindranath is the major contributor, with 6 of the 11 pieces to his credit including the short story Prayaschitta and Subicharer Adhikar.

Also reviews in this issue Dwijendralal Roy's book of verse Aryagatha.

Returns from Shilaidaha in the middle of December.

Goes to Santiniketan, takes part in the 4th annual Brahma festival.

The well-known short story – Vicharak is published in the Poush issue of Sadhana.