Monday, April 22, 2019

Creativity of Rabindranath (1916-17)

On 2nd Baishakh 1323, , Rabindranath wrote Kadambini Datta,"I am going to Calcutta Yesterday, Sunday. Very soon I will be going to America via Ceylon. He came to Calcutta but no ship was arranged for him. At last a Japani consulate arranged a ship for him which will start from Calcutta
on 29th April. Pearson and Andrews accompanied him.
On 9th Baishakh, Rabindranath wrote the concluding poem of Balaka "Puratan baccharer jirna klanta ratri".
Rabindranath promised sabuj patra to write about his journey to Japan. On 4th may [21 baishakh] he wrote to Pramatha Choudhury about the nature of his present writings."this time my writing is not a serial of letters nor it is an essay. I write what comes to my mind. Even I does not revise it. "
Stephen N.Hay informed , "The very ship on which he sailed for Japan had been outfitted two years earlier by members of this group [Bengali Revolutionaries] in a complex plot to smuggle arms into India."
Rabindranath's  journey to Japan is utilised by Rash Behari Bose for his personal safety.21 feb 1915 he planned a revolt by military which failed due to conspiracy. He managed to get passport in the name of P.N.Thakur, a relative of Rabindranath Thakur, and sailed in that ship. After reaching Japan he declared that he had thrown bomb on Lord Hardinge on 23 Dec 1912.
see
When Rabindrnath laanded in Rangoon, the Bengali inhabitants of Rangoon arranged a felicitation of Tagore and the letter read was made by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. It was arranged that Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay would sing an opening song. But he abstained as usual.

Rabindranath was involved in writing poetry of a new type .. :Previously he was acquainted with Japanese poetry called Haiku. Now in response to requests of giving an autograph or writing few lines or poetry he began to write this type of poetry in English or BenBirdsgali.  Later on when this was published he wrote about this,"When I went to China or Japan I was requested to give an autograph. I was habituated to write a few lines. I became glad to write such lines...."
These poetry of autographs was published in Story Birds [1916]. Though some poetry of Kanika was incorporated in that book. 
Before going to America Rabindranath gave an interview with Asahi Shimbun magazine . He gave an explanation to the misinterpretation of his lecture and said that he was misunderstood.
Rabindranath started for America with Pearson and Mukul Chandra.At last they reached Seattle of America on 18th sept by Saiberia Maru.

The managing director , James B.Pond of Pond Laisium with his business efficiency publicised Rabindranth's arrival and his lecture tour has created enthusiasm amongst Americans.He appered on the deck after arrival of the ship before he reached Seattle. He mentioned Rabindranath as Shakespeare of India.Rabindranath was greeted by every body.Rabindranath got Washington Hotel in seattle.Last year he came here ss an unknown but received many as his good friend.

On 19 sept Rabindranath attended an welcome ceremony of Sunset Club of Seattle.In the dinner forty renowned persons were invited.The Chairperson of the Club Mrs. Winfield P. Smith presided oever the meeting. She greeted the guest by introducing him with Dr. Herbert H. Gowen and Dr.Oliver P. Richardson  of Washington University, Judge Fredrick V Brown etc. Rabindranath replied in answer ,"Always there is more preparation made for the feast than the occasion warrants......."
It is said that Rabindranath started his lecture tour by giving a lecture in Seattle Club on 25th Sept. He read before the members of the Sunset Club the essay 'The  Cult of  Ntionalism'.
But Seattle intelligence informed [20th Sept] that" Sir, Rabindranath Tagore ....has  accepted an invitation from Dr. Lilburn Merrill of the Juvenile Court to visit the Juvenile Industrial school of Mercer island and speak to the boys . No details are available.



On 26 th Rabindraanath came to Portland City of Oregan State.



In reply to questions of some reporters Rabindranath uttered some harsh words about mechanically advanced America.Reporter Lucia B. Harriman began in writing about Tagore's speech by saying , finds America is ild over system /oet Tagore sees US as nations of Experimenters, hunting truth mechanically. He added  that all of this organisation , this system and method may be well enough imn business. Somethings are better made by machinery , but when you come to life complete life machinery has no place...
 This evening Rabindranath read his essay on Cult of Nationalism in Lincon High School organised by Drama league of America.Though the name of the essay was The Cult of Nationalism or Nationalism in the West, Rabindranath put his argument from India's view point.Discussing historical background of India he showed that  foreigners of different parts of the world with different religion had come to India in ancient times but the  normal life of India was not disturbed. This time we had to deal not with Kings, not with human races but with a nation.- we , who are no nation ourselves.
He enunciated the term Nation. , "A nation in the sense of political and economic union of a people , is that aspect which a whole population assumes when organised for a mechanical purpose  He said, "The nation , with all its paraphernalia .of power and prosperity , its flags and pious hymns, its blasphemous prayers in the churches, and the literary mock thunders of its patriotic bragging , cannot hide the fact that the Nation is the greatest evil for the nation , that all its precautions are agaist it and any new birth of ts fellow n the world is always followed in its mind by dread of a new peril."
Rabindranath thinks man's world is a moral world, not because we blindly agree to believe it , but because it is so in  truth whch would be dangerous for us to ignore.The World War is the outcome of denial of the truth. This lecture was criticised in Japan and America.
28th sept Rabindranath delivered a lecture in Eugene f Oregan state.
On 28th Rabndranath came to San Francisco of California.   He got Palace Hotel there/.H himself as eager t come over here.   

From very childhood Rabindranath was eager in Astroscience In a letter dated nil it is mentioned, " Tagoe's first inquiry was how o reach Lick Observatory, about which he had both heard and read very much.To him it is the greatest thing in California.


On 1st Oct in noon Rabindranath enjoyed piano concert in Cort Theatre played by the famous polish piano player Ignacy Jan Pderewisk.i [1880-1941]  

 
After landing America Rabindranath was always  surrounded by reporters of different news papers. After coming to Sanfrancisco he was interviewed there by a news paper, Examiner . His comments  here took a serious turn.He opined that the fate of India will turn  worse after the war.In his opinion, irrespective of the result of the war, the economic condition of England would be damaged as a result the oppression of the colonies will increase." I am not one of those who say that India is prepared just now for self-Government....in time may lead to autonomy."
About America he said ," You have, I think, a worship of organisation Capital organises , religion organises - all your institution ...." 
Hi statement that India is not ready for self Government , is also criticised.
In the night of 2nd Oct he read the essay,The Cult of Nationalism in the ball room of St. Francis Hotel.His lecture was appreciated here..  
On 3rd he passed a very busy day.In the night he delivered a lecture to Japanese audience.On 4th and fifth he attended a dinner thrown by the mebers of Bohemian Club.
On 6th Oct morning Rabindranath came to Santabarabara.



He arrived Santabarbara in the morning and in the evening he read the essay "Cult of Nationalism" in the Little Theater of Montecito.
Rabindranath commented on art and literature. "In my paper on art , I tried to show that art and literature are concerned with human personality just as cience is concerned with law which is impersonal.In art and literature , man is extending his consciousness of personal humanity oer the world; that is, he is making the universe his own realisation. He is realizing the world through his art and his literature and gving expression o that realization.". 
On 7 th Oct Rabindranath reached Los Angeles and took rest in Hotel Alexandria. On 8th Oct he visited Riverside Orange Groves



Rabindranath liked place so much that he said, "Next to India, Southern California is the one place in the world where I'd like to live.". 9th Oct Rabindranath read the essay Cult of Nationalism in Trinity Auditorium of Los Angeles organized by Cumnock School of Expression.Local Times Paper wrote ,"Trinity Auditorium was packed to Capacity last night and Sir Rabindranath Tagore,  Bengal Poet, educator, and interpreter of the  occultism of the east, was accorded a royal welcome."
An interview was published on 10th Oct about marriage and divorce , he said,"I consider marriage not merely a convenient or a mutual agreement , but something deep in human nature  - the expression of the very necessity of humnity." On th same day hcme to Pasadena city from Los  Angeles and boarded Hotel Maryland.. At 8 pm he read the essay Cult of Nationalism in the Auditorium of the high School attended by two thousand audience.The poet was introduced by Prof Reginald Tole of the English department of Throop College of Technology, under whose auspices the lecture was given.
Rabindtanath reached Sandiego on 11th Oct.In the evening he read the essay The Cult of Nationalism
13th Oct he left California and started for Salt Lake City of Utah state, middle of America.

On 14th he read the essay, "The Cul of Nationalism in the assembly hall of Tabemacle ground organised by Bureau  of Lectures and  University of Utah .
On 15th he started for Denver City of Colorado.
On 16th he read "Cult Of Nationalism" on 17th colorado university and on 18th Colorado Spring.
On 20th he started for Chicago from Fortmorgan of Colorado to meet Mrs William Vaughn Moody and send a telegram, "Arriving  Chicago by Burlington route nine O'clock friday evening with Pearson and a student of mine". 
In Chicago Rabindranath delivered only one lecture but he delivered good number of lectures in the nearby cities of Chicago.
In the evening on 24th oct he read the essay The Cult of Nationalism in orchestra hall.After a few days Mrs. Moody wrote her friend , alice Corbin Henderson about te lecture, "His manner of delivery and the fervor with which he presents his ideas  give him a kind of domination over his hearers that you would imagine Joan of Arch would have ...."
He left Chicago in the night on 24th Oct to go to Iowa City Johnson County.

26th Oct , in the evening, Rabindranath read the essay "The Cult of Nationalism" and three stanza from The Sunset Of the Country.Dr. Sudhindra Basu wrote, "Tagore's address at Iowa was one of th radiant intelligence..." On the very night Rabindranath came back again to Chicago.
Having returned to Chicago Rabindranath delivered a lecture in Appleton city of Wisconsin state on 28th Oct.




Rabindranath read for the first, the essay "The World of Personality" in the relay room of Claypool Hotel on 30th Oct.On 4th Nov Rabindranath read theessay The Cult of Nationalism in Pabst Theatre of Milwaukistate in Wisconsin state.Before reading the essay RchardDvaies read three poems written by Rabidranath. 
On 6th Nov Rabindranath read the essay The Cult of Nationalism in Macauay's Theatre in Louisville of Kentucky state.arranged by Fie Arts Association of Mrs Ona Taibot.
Rabindranath started for Nashville of Tenesse state from Louisville..At Nashville Rabindranath boarded Hotel Harmitage.On 8th Nov he read The cult of Nationalism in Vendome Theatre organised by Centennial Club 



On the very night he started for Cincinnai of Ohio state and boarded Hotel Gibson.



On 9th Nov he read from his own writings in Lyric Theater organised by Drama League.
On 10th Nov he came to the industrial city Detroit of Michigan State. In the evening he read the essay The Cult of Nationalism in the Board of Commerce Auditorium . This was organised by the Tagore Committee, chairperson being Mrs James L. Hand, to help Salvation Army Rescue Home. The auditorium was filled to capacity and in which Detroit's exclusive society was well represented. 


A meeting of Rabindranath and Henry Ford, famous car manufacturer in Detroit, was arranged by Bankim Chandra Roy, retired Headmaster and at present apprentice in the motor factory, 

The news papers of Detroit generally spoke high of the lecture of Rabindranath.Free  Press in its editorial wrote, "The board of Commerce audience heard the most profoud analysis of life and of the mechanism of commerce , of organized society and of Government that any modern ears have heard . the Rousseaus, the jeffersons, the Karl Marxes , the Bryces, the Wilsons seem superficial in the presenc of this swarthy analyst
On 12th Nov Rabindranath eliveed another lecture in Detroit.
Detroit Tribune [12 nov] informed that before starting for Cleveland of Ohio StateRabindranath devered another lecture in Unitarian Church.Having reached Cleveland he boarded Hotel Statler on 14th Nov at the invitation of twentieth Century club founded by the rich people.On that day in the evening he read the The world of Prsonality.   
On 18th Nov Rabindranath reached New York 
Here Rabindranath became a guest of Dr.E.W.Paterson, Director of Macmillan Co.This was arranged by Mrs.Moody. Dr Paterson was respectful to Rabindranath and arranged all sorts of amenities for Rabindranath including an apartment for his stay. Rabindranath became very busy in New York.Rabindranath delivered his first lecture in New York on 21st Nov at 8 30 pm in Carnegie Hall.He read the essay The Cult of Nationalism organised by Society of Ethical Culture.. There was entry fee. Boxes $18.00, $15.00,Reserved seats $2.00,$1.50,$1.00, $.75,$.50. But Hall was full.It was  one of the biggest gatherings ever seen in Caregie Hall. People say gathering ws 3000.Dr. Felix Adler delvered welcome address on behalf of the citizens.At the end he read the poem "The sunset of the country.
On 22nd Nov Rabindranath  read the essay The World of Personality in Hudson theatre. n the evening of 23rd he delivered a lecture in Benetgt school of Milbrook.. Details not available.
On 24th at 3 pm Rabindranath read from his writings in Hudsn Theatre.
On 25th Nov he went to Philadelphia and in the evening read the poem "Ogontz school for girls" .Here he met  the press.  North American wrote, "He sat in a room in the Bellevue - Stratford while a ban of enthusiastic young reporters regald him with their profound opinions of the meaniing of life..
Rabindraath termed Nationalism as organised selfishness and said, "The present conflict in this country between capital and labor is another manifestation of it..."
27th Nov read The Cult of Nationalism in Opera House of Academy  of Music of Brooklin.
He came to Paterson city of New Jersey State on 28th Nov and read The Cult of Nationalism in Orpheus Hall of first Unitarian Church.Guardian wrote , "lecture of Rabindranath was listened to with much interest by six hundred people..'
  1.   On 29th nov Rabindranath again came to philadelphia and read the essay The Cult of Nationalism in academy of Music hall.

On 1st dec Rabindranath came to Boston city of Masachusets state and boarded hotel Copley Plaza.


In the evening he read from his own writing. Boston Globe wrote, "The first lecture in the all College lecture coarseat Welessley College was delivered this evening.Heread a number of pems of his own and a story.
On 4th Dec in Mount Holyoke College he read What is Art?
Like other places of USA his lecture was attended by huge audience.
In 1913 he came here and read many essays and had any friends.
On 6th Dec he reached New Haven of Connecticut state.



Montgomery wrote, 'the coming of Sir Rabindranth Tagore at Yale Dramatic Association is awaited with the keenest iterest by ersons not only here but throughout the state.
Raindranath was greeted in Woolsey hall. The simplicity of the stage setting at Woolsey Hall ws a fitting background for Sir Rabindranath Tagore...
Before reading poems Rabindranath said that he would eel embarrassed if he was requested to read pems.He read the poem ,"crescent moon".
On 7th Dec he started for Northampton of New York state. 
  

Rabindranath talked about his school at Santiniketan.At the end of the meeting he started for New York.
Rabindranath declared untimely death of his USA tor.
11th Dec he he read What is art in Garret club of Buffalo.
Rabindranath had his last ceremony on 12th dec in Amsterdom.. On 13 th dec he read the Cult o Ntionalism in camegie music hall.On 14th dec he went columbus of Ohio state.
16th dec he read the cult of nationalism in gray's armory of clivland.
19th dec he went to Chicago and read there from his own writings in Orchestra hall. ..Then he  came to Urbana on 22 dec.. On 24 th dec he said about Personality in art to the members of Unitarian Church, Tagore read The world of personality to the members of Tagore Circle in the house of Dr.Arthur Seymoore..
on 25th Dec.On 2h Dec he read to them the essay "the second birth". The members of the Tagore Circle arranged a Christmas party in the house of Dr. Jacob Kunz Rabindranath read the drama "sannyasi'. Mrs Seymoore wrote , when the poet read his play Sannyasi at a Christmas party given by Dr. and Mrs. Kunzto the Tagore Circle , the envious will bin to question if the abe of the gods was really a mountain and not rather a humble unpretentious prairie.
He read  the essay My school in Marrow hall and 29 he read "the Cult of Nationalism. The realistics said all the stories here are of destruction and not of construction. On 30th he read the essay "nationalism in India'This is the first time he read this essay.
On 31st evening he left Urbana and started for Chicago.
*8th jan Rabindranath delivered  lecture on Nationalism in Oliver theater in Lincoln city of Nebraska state.


 Rabindraah read The cult Of nationalism in Des Monies at Iowa state.10th Jan read the essay Nationalism in Fontenelle hotel of Omaha in Nebraska state.
111th jan he may read an essay in Baltimore hotel of Jan Kansas city
17th Jan Rabindranath, Mukul Chandra, Pearson and Bankim ch. Roy started in Siberia Maru ship from Sanfrancisco.

Rabindranath was benefited economically in the tour of America. 
.  
 .   .
  .