Creativity of Rabindranath

At the age of 7/8
"My age did not exceed 7/8 . One day one of my nephew Sreejukta Jyotiprakash [ Jyotiprakash Gangopadhyay (1855-1959) ,  son of Ganendranath's  elder sister  and her husband, Jajneshprakas Gangopadhyay.), a few years older than me, called me in his room and said 'you have  to write poems.  I donot know why he inspired a child like me to write poems. "
Rabindranath wrote in "Chelebela", "I remember that I wrote once a poem in 'tripadi, payar' and
I expressed my sorrow, if one  tries to pluck lotus while swimming, lotus will move as one proceeds.'""At first Rabindranath wrote poems on lotus, these are the 'ADI KABITA' of Tagore.
Rabitalent was also expressed in songs, lyrics, and set to music.
This was the beginning of his creativity.
Rabindranath's creativity is also dependent on music. Rabindranath said in his 1st Pandulipi, "We were brought up in the atmosphere of Music.I could not remember the time I was not able to sing."
Rabindranath was trained in music by four music teachers.
1. Dilip Kumar Mukhopadhyay, 1st music teacher,
2. Bishnu Chandra Chakraborty, 3. Seekanthya Singh,  and 4. Jadu Bhatta.
23rd Jan 1870 40th anniversary of Adi Brahmmosamaj was held when  Devendranath was at Banaras  on the way to Himalayas. In Kartik issue of Tattwabodhini , five songs were published as the supplement to the magazine . 1. 'Tumi bina ke pravu sangkata nibare', 2. 'he karunakara dinasakha tumi', 3. 'darasana dao he kaatare', 4. 'Kata je karuna tomar bhuliba na e jibane' and 5.'Kara taar nam gan.' -  These five Brahmma sangeet were written on the occasion.. The last one was written by Dwijendranath and the othession r four songs were written by Satyendranath. The musical notations were written by Dwijendranath. These songs were sung in the maghotsab this year. Rabindranath possessing sweet voice  was not left to join.
At the age of 10
The qualities of Rabindranath was gradually developing in various ways which we got  from  different sources.Debendranath on 31 Dec 1871 from Amritsar  wrote to the famous leader of Brahmmo Samaj, Bacharam Chattopadhyay, "I became glad to learn  that Rabindra etc joined as devotee." It is learnt from that letter , Rabindranath joined as a singer in the 18th yearly session of Behala Brahmmo Samaj.
On another occasion Rabindranath took part as a singer which was mentioned in National Paper, " The evening service commenced at 8 P.M. with the chanting of a beautiful hymn by little children."
The picture we got of the formal education so far undergone by Rabindranath was really disappointing.But his study in different sphere portraited the introduction of his future life as a writer/ He wrote ,"In my childhood the size of the Bengali literature was thin. Still he finished all the books he got".The list of his study materials was very big
On 6th Feb 1873, Somendranath, Rabindranath and Satyaprasad got their sacred thread. Rabindranath being unable to attend firing i school with bare head, accompanied Devendranath to go to Himalayas.They stopped stopped at Bolpur Santiniketan on 4th Falgoon 1279. Here Rabindranath was taking lesson in English and Sanskrit from his father and getting leisure through out the day. In this open atmosphere the power of writing poems of Rabindranath was gradually increasing.
In the mean time he finished writing poems in Blue Khata and started writing in Letts' Diary. .In the
atmosphere of Patriotism in Jorasanko Thakur bari the story heroism of Hindu king Prithwiraj left a scar in the minds of Rabindranath.In this context the novel, Dipanirban depicting the tragedy of the  story of Prithwiraj against Muhammad Ghori touched the minds of Rabindranath.Mar 1873 rabindranath wrote a novel titled Prithwirajer Parajay. It can be mentioned that Rudrachanda of Rabindranath bears  the resemblance of Prithwirajer Parajay This novel was written in  Letts'Diary This is the first novel Written by Rabindranath at the age of 12. Before writing his creativity in Malati Punthi Rabindranath used to write in Letts'Diary.
Rabindranath started writing his works in three manuscript. 1.Blue Khata, 2. Letts'Diary and 3. Malati Punthi one after another. In this hard bound Letts' diary Rabindranath wrote his first poem "Avilash" and Hindumelar Upahar.
Creativity of Rabindranath includes organising ability.He organised along with Jyotirindranath Saraswat Samaj in 1289. 4 th April 1874 in the presence of 100 persons Bidwajana Samagama was formed. These organisations are the basis of Bangiya Sahitya Sabha. The pioneer thinker of this concept was John Beams.

Abhilash was the first printed poetry of Rabindranath. His age at that time was 12 yrs 7 months.

Rabindranath at 23

The year 1884 was a remarkable year in Tagore family.  The family lost three important members. On 8 January, Keshab Chandra Sen, on 19 April, Kadambari Devi (an unnatural death), and on 5 June, Hemendranath Tagore. This was a great loss to the Tagore family, specially the untimely death of Hemendranath Tagore at the age of 40 years.
Rabindranath's creativity was in full spate. In "Rabindra Jiban Katha" Prabhat Kumar Mukhopadhyaya said that, sometimes, the mind of Rabindranath became peculiarly detached from the earthly feelings. He himself said that "forgetfulness is one of the motive force of livelihood".  He wrote in a poetry,
"Hetha hote jao puratan,
Hethay Natun Khela Arambha hoyeche".
The close relation  Rabindranath possessed with Kadambari was known to everybody. and the pain he bore for the sad and sudden death of Kadambari. When his mother died Rabindranath ( nearly 14 yrs old) 
was sleeping, when his elder sister-in-law, Sarbasundari De vi died he was at Ahmedabad, his elder brother-in-law Saradaprasad died in the day of his marriage.He had no direct knowledge about death so far. But the pathetic and painful death of Kadambari occurred before his eyes. The death occurred in childhood can easily be forgotten but the death occurred in adult life leaves a deep scar on ones heart.For that he had to bear the deep wound he got at the death of Kadambari.
This pain he expressed in his recent publication Pushpanjali. Though this was published in Bharati in Baishakh issue of  1292. 

Kadambari an inspiration

Kadambari Devi was married with Jyotirindranath Thakur in July 1868 when she was 9 years (born 1859) and Jyotirindranath 19 (born  1849).At that time Rabindranath was 7 (born 1861) and began writing poetry in 1869 when he was 8. Mother of Rabindranath, Sarada Devi, died in March 1875 when Rabindranath was 14.
Rabindranath went to London from Bombay in Sept 1878 at the age of 17 (10 yrs contact with Kadambari, childhood friend) and returned in Feb 1880 and one and 1/2 years later. Rabindranath was married in Dec 1883 ( 4 yrs contact in adolescent stage) at the age of 22. Kadambari died in April 1884 when Rabindranath was 22. Hence Rabindranath had close acquaintance with Kadambari 16 yrs less 1&1/2 for remaining absent on study in London. This period is divided in two parts.
 Rabindranath had close contact with Kadambari in two overlapping  phases, 1.child and 2.adolescent.
She inspired young Rabindranath in composing many of his poems with her creative feedback and comments. She was also a good friend and playmate. She was one of the women who played a very important part in his life. Her relationship with Tagore was controversial and had elements of tragedy. 
Krishna Kripalani, who married Tagore's granddaughter, writes in his own biography of Tagore, the futility of speculating on the causes of the suicide by Kadambari Devi.
The effect of Kadambari Devi's death on the mind of Rabindranath can readily be established from Tagore's own words expressed in  a correspondence to a young Amiya Chakraborty of about 16, who would, a decade or so later, become Tagore's literary secretary for a period of time. Tagore wrote to him in 1917 (Kripalani's translation):

Once, when I was about your age, I suffered a devastating sorrow, similar to yours now. A very close relative  of mine committed suicide, and she had been my life's total support, right from childhood onward. And so with her unexpected death it was as if the earth itself receded from beneath my feet, as though the skies above me all went dark. My universe turned empty, my zest for life departed.

In 1884, there were three sad deaths: On 8 January, Keshab Chandra Sen, on  19 April, Kadambari Devi (an unnatural death), and on 5 June,  Hemendranath Tagore. This was a great loss to the Tagore family, specially the untimely death of Hemendranath Tagore at the age of 40 years. In his reminiscences, Rabindranath spent more than 2,500 words to explain the loss of Kadambari Devi. He wrote that his mother's death did not affect him so strongly for  he was too young ( 14 years old) and Kadambari Devi, aged 16, assumed the role of a surrogate maternal figure. Tagore's biographer, Prabhat Kumar Mukhopadhyaya, writes that she was more a playmate.  A number of poems written by Rabindranath at different times expresses his deep sorrow.  He dedicated four books to her before her death and two more after. In 1901, he portrayed her as Charu in Nashtanir.  Mr. Krishna Kripalini concluded that

"I have nothing more to add to this controversy. I, personally, believe that, with my little knowledge of Rabindranath Tagore and his family life, Kadambari Devi was in love with him, and when his marriage was organised by  his family she was heartbroken and committed suicide. (http:// forums.sulekha.com/forums/coffeehouse/kadambari-devi-rabindranath-tagore) 

Rabindranath was engaged in writing poems for Karhi O Komal . He wrote a prose drama " Nalini" "Bibaha Utsab" was staged on the occasion marriage ceremony of Hiranmayee and Akshay Choudhury. for this marriage ceremony Rabindranath created 45 songs. Rabindranath created 8 Brahmo songs for Maghotsab.
He read an essay Akalkushmanda in Sabitri Library.

Rabindranath at 22

 The first day of 1290 [13 April 1883]was started in the Maharshi Bhaban with the prayer of new year. Two Brahma Sangeet written by Rabindranath was sung.
162.  Sakha tumi aacho kotha ; swara -45
163. Prabhu elem kotha - swaralipi nai
Though Brahmasangeet was written earlier since Maghotsab but the above two songs have some historical value.  Moreover, the second advice of him, "tumi ki go pita amader."

After a few days 20 th Baishakh [2 May, Budh] Rabindranath joined the 20th Session of Brahmo Samaj at Nandan Bagan ,  founded by Kashishwer Mitra of Shyambazar. Sree Ramakrishna was also present on the occasion. This news was published in Statesman , "In the afternoon Ramkrishna Paramhangsa , the sage of Dakshineshwar , discoursed on morality and religion.The evening service commenced at 7-30,.....The choir was laid by Baboo Rabindranath Thakur."

Babu Rabindranath is a born poet. There  is  no parallel like him in describing nature. He described nature in Nirjharer Swapnabhagna,Mahaswapna, Sadh,  Ananta Jiban, Ananta Maran etc.

There is no comparison with him in translation either in prose or in poetry.

Before marriage Rabindranath went to Jessore but he did not see his would be wife and expressed his likings. Rabindranath had acquaintances in his growing youth with Ana Tarkhar and Scott  sisters In fact it is astonishing that he was married with a girl of less than ten years having less education. Rabindranath said to Maitrayee Debi , "I had no story behind my marriage.When my daughters in law was pressing my choice about my would be wife I replied that it could be arranged according to your choice I have none "  Rabindranath was summoned from Satyendranath's residence. Before marriage Rabindranath's  was Bhabatarini. At the time of the marriage Rabindranath was 22 years old and Bhabatarini was 12. She was quite thin at that time, not very good-looking and was almost illeterate with an old-fashioned outlook. To speak frankly, she was not a good match for Rabindranath. In an attempt to groom her, she was admitted in Loreto School. Rabindranath was very caring and dutiful. 

Rabindranath wrote "chabi O gaan"

Rabindranath wrote a song "amar praner pare chale galo" 

In this month Rabindranath published his 11th book, third book in prose, and first collection of essays "Bibidha Prasanga"
Bibidha Prasanga / Written by Rabindranath Thakur/Kolkata/Printed and Published by Kalidas  Chakrabarty.
Only a critical estimate was published in Hindu Patriot, 8 oct 1883.
"Bibidha Prasanga or essays on various subjects in Bengali."
Celebration of New year day organised by Adi Brahmosamaj in Maharsi Bhaban . Rabindranath wrote four  songs on this occasion.
1. Eki sugandha hillol bahila,
2. Aji eneche tahari asirbad,
3. barisa dhara majhe santira bari

4. rajani pohaila chaleche jatridal

Rabindranath wrote 56 songs at the age of 22 of which 5 donot have swaralipi..

Rabindranath wrote four Brahmasangeet on the occasion of Bengali New year celebration of adi Brahmo Samaj.

1. Rajani Pohaila chaleche jatridal,

2. Eki Sugandha hillol bahila etc

Whom Rabindranath called as, "jibaner Dhrubatara"that Natun Bauthan Kadambari Devi whose position in the Thakur Bari was second to Jnanadanandini, moved  against the public disrepute  along Chitpur Road and Garher Math with her husband riding on a horse, committed suicide.