Rabisarani

Writes to his boyhood friend Akshaykumar asking him to come.

Turns up the very next day.

Writes to Indira, "It was difficult for me to even engage in polite conversation with him." He is exceedingly busy making preparations for Maghotsav.

Sets up a small library in Santiniketan, buys books for it.

Attends the 8th monthly meeting of the Parishad in Kolkata.

Held at Maharshi Bhavan or Jorasanko Mansion.

Composes only one song – Nitya taba satya taba.

Starts correspondence with young writer Prabhatkumar Mukherjee, then living in UP.

Contains as usual a number of pieces written by the poet.

The fascinating short story Nisithe printed in this issue is the butt of literary nit-picking by certain critics in other journals.

Goes to Shilaidaha.

In numerous letters written to Indira, now reverts to childhood memories.

Writes the sad poem Puratan Bhritya, which remains a perennial favourite.

Busy writing new things for the next issue of Sadhana.

Returns to Jorasanko, Kolkata.

It is notable for his article Hindu o Musalman which stresses the importance of maintaining communal amity and harmony.

This issue also carries his review of Shibnath Sastri's novel Jugantar.

His hilarious skit Khyatir Birambana performed at Emerald theatre under the title Docowri Dutt, directed by noted actor of the day, Ardhendusekhar Mustafi.

Attends the festive first annual meeting of the Parishad held at Maharajkumar Vinaykrishna Bahadur's house.

Manbhanjan appears in the Baisakh issue of Sadhana.

Rabindranath turns 35.

Presented with a wonderful gift by Indira and Surendranath – an exercise book containing their favourite English poems copied by them.

Takes his ailing niece to Darjeeling for a change.

Short story Thakurda printed in this issue.

Away in Patisar and Sahajadpur for the best part of May and June.

Contains short story Pratihingsha and the immensely popular poem Dui Bigha Jami.

Back in Kolkata from his trip to Patisar-Sahajadpur.

A short biography of the poet published in the monthly magazine Sakha o Sathi in its Ashad issue.

Writes the poem Shite o Basante in Sahajadpur.

Bangiya Sahitya Parishad entrusts Rabindranath with the task of preparing an anthology of the Padavali (poems) of the great medieval poet Vidyapati. Due to various reasons, however, the project never so much as got off the ground.

Arrives in Shilaidaha.

Back in the city.

On the fifth anniversary of Vidyasagar's death, reads the biographical essay Vidyasagar Charit before an audience at the Emerald Theatre. It is a major essay and a trend-setter in its genre in bengali literature.

Rabindranath contributes quite a few pieces as usual, but the highlight of the issue is, of course, the great short story Kshudita Passhan, probably written much earlier.

Another business venture of the Tagores launched – Tagore & Co formed. Rabindranath and his nephews - Surendranath and Balendranath are partners. Rabi takes a loan with interest from Satyaprasad Ganguly.

The piece is deservedly and widely praised. Rabindranath writes to Indira, "It must be admitted that there is a pretty strong intoxication in public praise, but like all other intoxications, this intoxication of praise, too, produces a strong hangover and fatigue..."

Galpa-Dasak, his fifth book of short stories consisting of ten stories earlier printed in the Sadhana, published.

Correspondence suggests their acquaintance has deepened.

Son Rathindranath accompanies him on this visit to East Bengal.

Songs come again and he writes-

• Jhara jhara barishe 20th September, 1895

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• Viswabinarabe viswajana mohichhe 20th September, 1895

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• Olo soi, olo soi 21st September, 1895

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• Madhura madhura dhwani baje 21st September, 1895

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• Bela galo tomar patha 24th September, 1895

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• Aha aji mor dware 25th September, 1895

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• Ke dilo abar aghath 28th September, 1895

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• Eso go nutan jivan 29th September, 1895

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• Pushpa bane pushpa nahi 30th September, 1895

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• Aha jagi pohalo bibhabari 1st October, 1895

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• Ohe anadi ashima sunil 2nd October, 1895

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• Tomar gopan kathati 4th October, 1895

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• Chitta pipasita re 9th October, 1895

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• Ami chini go chini tomare 11th October, 1895

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• Amra lakshmichharar dal 15th October, 1895

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• Ogo bhagyadevi pitamahi 17th October, 1895

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Goes to Shilaidaha with Mrinalini and Amala Das, the reputed Rabindrasangeet singer of later years and the sister of Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das. Rabindranath writes songs suitable for her voice –

• Chirasakha, chhero na morey chhero na

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• Eki akulata bhubane 1st November,1895

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Writes the highly amusing fantasy Ichhapuran, published in the Sakha o Sathi.

Many years later he will recall boyhood memories of this river journey:" In spite of my mother's fears, father started taking me with him on his frequent river journeys when I was little more than a boy of seven…My earliest recollection is that of a visit to Kusthia...The factory...its workshop with its huge hydraulic presses for bailing jute...Father looked into all the details of the business but it did not take him long to do it...Business finished he would immediately go back to his writing..."

Also records in his memoirs that Dwijendralal Roy would often descend on them in Shilaidaha when he was on leave and regale them with humorous songs.

Rabindranath returns to Jorasanko with family.

The Bhadra, Aswin and Kartik issues are combined and published as the last issue.

The last issue contains, besides other things, the moving short story Atithi and Vidyasagar Charit.

Another rush of songs – writes 9 songs in a fortnight.

• Eki akulata bhubane 1st November,1895

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• Tumi rabe nirabe 3rd November,1895

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• Se ashe dhire 6th November,1895

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• Ke uthe daki 7th November,1895

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• Ohe sundara mama grihe aji 8th November,1895

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• Tumi jeyo na ekhani 9th November,1895

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• Akul keshe ashe 10th November,1895

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• Hridayashashi hridigagane udila 14th November,1895

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• Ki ragini bajale 14th November,1895

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Sadhana ceases publication according to an advertisement inserted in the Sanjivani magazine.

Goes to Patisar by river.

He is now reading Edward Dowden's New Studies in Literature.

Writes to Indira from Patisar, "…wherever I happen to go, I find stone-hearted Kolkata stalking me and my muse hiding away in remoter solitude." The muses, however, come calling sooner than he imagines.

Writes the poem Purnima.

While journeying by river to Shilaidaha writes Avedan.

Writes Urvashi – one of his greatest poems.

Writes Swarga hoite vidai – another fine poem of this period.

Writes to Indira on 15th December. Incidentally this is the last letter of the series collected later in the celebrated Chhinnapatra.

Returns to Kolkata probably by 17th December.

Attends the fifth annual Brahma festival in Santiniketan.

11th annual session of the Congress held in Poona (now Pune), Surendranath Banerjee presides.