Rabisarani

The annual Maghotsav festival is held as usual. Rabindranath composes 17 songs for the morning (8 songs) and evening (9 songs) prayers:

• Tumi apani jagao morey

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• Nutan Prana dao, pranasakha

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• Jagrata viswa-kolahala majhey

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• Kamoney phiriya jao na

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• Sabey ananda karo

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• Hey mon tanre dekho

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• Aaji heri sansara amritayamaya

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• Tomari ichhha houk purna

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• Sranta keno ohe pantha

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• Purna ananda purna

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• Ashima akashe aganya kirana

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• Achho antarey chiradeen

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• Jagatey tumi raja

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• Jarajara praney natha

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• Jagitey habey re

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• Natha hey, premapathey

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• Hridaya vedana bahiya

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An English painter, most probably J. Archer, paints a picture of Rabindranath with baby Bela on his lap from December 1887 to January 1888. He remarks to Mahimchandra Devbarman of Tripura that Rabindranath's face is Christ-like. When Rabindranath will tour Europe later in 1926, his graceful appearance will remind people of Christ.

Around the middle of February Rabindranath goes to Ghazipur (UP) with wife and daughter. He develops friendship with the poet Debendranath Sen (1858 – 1920), who had a MA in English and by profession was a lawyer in Allahabad High Court. Debendranath Sen is known to people for his creations like Phulbala, Urmila, Nirjharini etc.

Jyotirindranath and Indira Devi also arrive in Ghazipur.

Rabindranath writes quite a few poems, later collected in Manashi.

Maharshi executes a trust deed setting forth the aims and ideals of the Santiniketan Ashram. Dwipendranath Tagore (son of Dwijendranath Tagore), Ramanimohan Chatterjee and Priyanath Shastri are trustees. Allots property worth Rs. 18,000 to the Ashram to fund its activities.

Maharshi goes to Darjeeling, doesn't find the climate congenial, returns to Calcutta (now Kolkata).

Rabindranath takes the initiative to set up Brahmo Samiti to further consolidate the samaj and its activities.

The pond situated within the precincts of the Jorasanko house and fondly mentioned in the Jibansmriti has been filled up by this time.

Though Rabindranath is probably away from Calcutta (now Kolkata), his birthday is celebrated, mainly by cousin Satyaprasad.

Rabindranath returns to Calcutta (now Kolkata) bringing back Indira Devi and Surendranath from Ghazipur.

Rabindranath goes back to Gazipur with Swarnakumari Devi and Sarala.

Songs fill the days in Ghazipur. Sarala considerably benefits from Rabindranath's style of singing. She will later write, "…… I was already familiar with melodies, but got to know their inner spirit in Ghazipur."

They are back in Calcutta (now Kolkata) around the middle of September.

In a letter written to them Rabindranath praises the musical instrument company Doarkin (still running) of Calcutta (now Kolkata) for the excellent harmoniums they make.

The Santiniketan Ashram is established. A large group of Brahmo followers from Calcutta (now Kolkata) including Rabindranath arrives to attend the ceremony.

Parivarik Smritilipi or Family Memoirs inaugurated. Members of the family are free to write in it whatever they like. Rabindranath will write many short pieces in it.

Rabindranath's son Rathindranath is born.

Rabindranath's musical play Mayar Khela is published.

The play Mayar Khela is staged at Bethune College, Calcutta. All the roles are played by the women of the Tagore family, including Indira Devi. Rabindranath supervises the whole production.