topics: |  biography | comic |

Most Amar Chitra Kathas seem to do a rather cursory job, but this was a pleasant change, with a well-researched storyline and competent artwork.

One never knows what one may learn from where. It was new for me that around 1910, there was an episode where a passage from his work was given in an exam, asking the students to rewrite it in "chaste bengali". Also, around 1912, Ashutosh Mookerjee's attempt to grant him a honorary degree was initially foiled in the Calcutta University syndicate. Consequently, when the same people started pouring accolades after the Nobel, Tagore did not take it kindly.

It is a quick telling of a life, but it keeps to the facts, and avoids the hagiographic tone often visited on many Indian biographies.

The script however, could have been better distributed over the 32 page format. About a third of the book goes on his childhood (he is married, at 21, on p.13), and it ends rather abruptly with Indira Gandhi being admitted to Shantiniketan. The only post-1913 event is his 1932 support of Gandhi's fast to prevent the split of the hindu vote between untouchables and caste Hindus. His tours of various nations, his art career, or the enormous popular outpouring after his death are all never mentioned.

Highlights

1861: born may 7,
1873: sacred thread; travels to himalayas with debendranAth
1878: england visit - spends 17 months

1868 jul 5: Kadambari, 9, arrives as bride to Jyotirindranath, 19.
1883: marriage to Mrinalini, 10.
1884 19 apr: Kadamabari devi suicide - four months after his marriage


1883: Tagore,21, with his bride Mrinalini, 11

	 In the words of biographer Mukhopadhyay, Tagore's marriage at the end
	 of 1883 had been "sudden and unexpected." [2] In late April of the
	 following year, slightly more than four months after his wedding,
	 Kadambari Devi committed suicide. - Clinton B. Seely parabaas

1910 : son rathindranath is married to child-widow pratima devi

1890: serves as overseer at Tagore estates in Shilaidaha
1901: establishes school and moves to Santiniketan

Composing the Jana-gana-mana

	composes Jana-gana-mana (1911).  Sung on 27 December 1911
	at the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress.

His friend Ashutosh Chaudhuri, on behalf of the Indian National
Congress, asked him to compose a song praising King George V, for the
session of the 26th session of the INC, which would be held while George V
was visiting India.

Rabindranath was initially offended by the suggestion, but then
he sent in a poem he wrote soon thereafter.  This poem was,

In a letter to Pulin Behari Sen, Tagore later wrote,

	A certain high official in His Majesty's service, who was also my
	friend, had requested that I write a song of felicitation towards the
	Emperor. The request simply amazed me. It caused a great stir in my
	heart. In response to that great mental turmoil, I pronounced the
	victory in Jana Gana Mana of that Bhagya Vidhata of India who has
	from age after age held steadfast the reins of India's chariot
	through rise and fall, through the straight path and the curved. That
	Lord of Destiny, that Reader of the Collective Mind of India, that
	Perennial Guide, could never be George V, George VI, or any other
	George. Even my official friend understood this about the song. After
	all, even if his admiration for the crown was excessive, he was not
	lacking in simple common sense.

[The "official friend" was Ashutosh Chaudhuri (1860-1924), a prominent
barrister of Calcutta, later a Justice in the High Court.  The Chaudhuri's
were an aristocrat family, his father Durgadas Chaudhury, Zamindar of
Pabna, Rajshahi.  Duragadas was himself graduate from Hindu college, and
served as a district magistrate in the colonia administration.  Of his
seven sons, five were barristers who had were educated in England.

Ashutosh was a close friend and long-time associate of Tagore; he helped
Rabindranath edit some of his texts, such as a selection from kaRi o komal.

Ashutosh was the elder brother of Pramatha Chaudhuri, a prominent
literateur and close associate of Tagore, who later married his favourite
niece Indira Devi (1873-1960), daughter of Satyendranath.  Ashutosh himself
had also married another niece, Pratibha Devi (1860-1922), daughter of
Hemendranath.  Ashutosh was later knighted by the Colonial government.

General J.N. Chaudhuri (Joyanto Nath), India's army chief (1962-66), was a
nephew of Asutosh. ]

more on the Chaudhuri family in this article by Samar Paul,
Financial Express, Dhaka (March 17 2012).

Monish Chatterjee: On the myths surrounding Jana gana mana

		 http://www.countercurrents.org/comm-chatterjee310803.htm

The mythology [of Jana-gana-mana] surrounds the 1911 visit to India by King
George V.  To commemorate the occasion, the Indian National Congress (INC)
approached Tagore for a poem of welcome.  Early one morning, he composed a
very beautiful poem and handed it over to his colleagues. He suggested that it
was a poem addressed to God, and that they should give it to the Congress
people. At the Calcutta Congress session which began on December 16, 1911, the
second day was apparently devoted entirely to welcoming King George V. Jana
Gana Mana was sung on this occasion. Thereafter, the newspaper reports
maintained that it was sung as a salute to the King Emperor (George V). Since
Tagore did not immediately refute the allegation, the perception spread that
the song was a eulogy to the monarchy.

Rejection by his countrymen

1911? : A passage from his work is used in the matriculation exam, asking
	  	students to "rewrite it in chaste bengali".
	  Ashutosh Mookerjee's attempt to grant him a honorary degree is
		initially turned down by the univ syndicate.  [AM was VC from 1806-1914]



1913: after Nobel announcement, Group of intellectuals visits him in
	Santiniketan to congratulate him.  He spurns their offers, which comes
	only after foreign recognition, he feels.  Later he prays for more
	patience.
1913 oct 28: syndicate of Cal Univ decides to confer D.Litt on Tagore.
	Degree is conferred on 26 dec 1913, along with lawyer Taraknath Palit
	(donated 15L) and congressman Rashbehari Ghosh (10L); indologists
	Sylvian Levi and Hermann Jacobi, and historian Paul Vinogradoff.

Knighthood and rejection

1915: knighthood
1919: resigns title after Jalliwanwala bagh, not accepted; but does not use title.

Surendra Munshi in The Telegraph

	Tagore's letter was written to Viceroy Lord Chelmsford.  The colonial
	administration felt it necessary to act in a manner that gave no
	importance to it. Devising a cunning way of handling the situation,
	Chelmsford took the stand that he was unable himself to relieve Tagore
	of his title, nor did he propose to make any recommendation to His
	Majesty. London agreed with him and so did King George V. Poor Tagore
	officially remained Sir Rabindranath...

1932: Agrees with Gandhi on the need to not divide the electorate [along
untouchable / caste hindu lines]

[ends rather abruptly, with Jawaharlal Nehru visiting Shantiniketan and
admitting Indira Gandhi to the college.]



---blurb

Rabindranath Tagore played a significant role in bringing about a new
awakening in India in the latter half of the nineteenth century. His life and
creative work provided the then Indian society with a purpose, direction and a
programme. The impact of his personality transcended his native Bengal and
came to be felt not only in other parts of India but also abroad. Tagore was a
genius with a many-sided personality. He was a poet, novelist, dramatist,
musician, short-story writer, teacher, painter, educationist, philosopher and
humanist. Shri Khanolkar, his biographer, describes his life as 'a long dream
of colour and music, of beauty and heavenly genius, such as this world has
never known before'. Perhaps no other contemporary Indian had such diverse
interests as Tagore had. He was a seeker. He wanted to understand himself; and
that he could only do by expressing himself. As the experiences and emotions
differed, the media also varied. That is how we have Tagore the poet, Tagore
the composer, Tagore the painter and so on. Although a staunch nationalist,
Tagore was a champion of internationalism, touring various countries and
pleading for 'one world'. He has the unique distinction of being the only poet
to have two of his songs - Jana Gana Mana and Amar Sonar Bangla - adopted as
the national anthem of two countries, India and Bangladesh
respectively. Shanti-Niketan stands to this day as a living monument to the
Gurudev. He composed over 4,000 songs. His compositions have come to be known
as Rabindra Sangeet.

Note: this is an older ACK and as of 2013, may be hard to find.  You can
order direct from amar chitra katha.

Rabindranath Tagore and Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Nikhil Bhattacharyya, Special Representative, Dainik Sambad, Delhi
http://www.washingtonbanglaradio.com/content/52514011-rabindranath-tagore-and-mohandas-karamchand-gandhi
05/05/2011

Jawaharlal Nehru wrote of these two, in his jail diary (1941),

	Gandhi and Tagore, two types entirely different from each other and
	yet both of them typical of India, both in the long line of India's
	great men..., I have felt for long that they were the outstanding
	examples in the world today. There are many of course who may be
	abler than them or greater geniuses in their own line. It is not so
	much because of any single virtue but because of the tout ensemble,
	that I felt that among the world's great men today Gandhi and Tagore
	were supreme as human beings. What good fortune for me to have come
	into close contact with them.

Tagore first called Gandhi a Mahatma or a great soul. He said at "Gandhiji's
call India blossomed forth to new greatness, just as once before, in earlier
times,when Buddha proclaimed the truth, of fellow feeling and compassion among
all living creatures". Gandhiji called him the Great Sentinel or Gurudev".

A Bengali poet and a Gujrati Barister, working in South Africa. How did the
[kinship develop]?  As described by Tagore's biographer Prabhat Kumar
Mukerji. In 1912-13 a Gujrati Barister Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was busy in
organizing Satyagraha in South Africa to protest against atrocities on
Overseas Indians. Mutual friend of Gandhi and Tagore a British Missionary and
a Poet C.F. Andrews was going to observe the movement. Tagore wrote to Andrews
"You are fighting our cause in Africa alongwith Mr. Gandhi and others.

The poet and the karmayogi met for the first time on March 6, 1915. Gandhij
was not quite satisfied with the Santiniketan system. He wanted the students
to do their own jobs along with studies, he felt there was no need for
servants, cooks, sweeper or water carriers. When Gandhiji's desire was
communicated to Tagore he agreed without any hesitation. He announced, come
"sab kaje hat lagai mora". The new system started on March 10, 1915 which
Tagore declared as "Gandhi Divas" in Tagore's Ashram.

Meanwhile Gandhiji plunged into the freedom movement through his non-violent,
non-cooperation movement changing Congress first 30 years’ movement of
petition and constitutionalism to a movement of action. In 1921 the poet
entered into a controversy with Gandhiji regarding the methods used.

He took exception to boycotting of schools and colleges and even burning of
foreign clothes. In a letter to C.F. Andrews he wrote "a crowd of young
students came to see me. They said if I would order them to leave schools they
will obey. I was emphatic in my refusal. They went angry, doubting sincerity
of my love for the motherland. Reason for my refusal " anarchy of emptiness
never tempts me".

Inspite of their differences Tagore salutes Gandhiji's spirit and the sea
change he had brought into the lives of Indians but was unable to follow him
in his steps. However, Rabindranath was not hesitant of paying his tributes to
Gandhiji. He said, "He (Gandhiji) stopped at the threshold of huts of thousand
of dispossessed, like one of their own.  He spoke in their own language. Here was
the living truth at last, not quotations from book. For this Mahatma the name
given to him by the people of India is his real name".

Rabindranath once mentioned about Gandhiji's call for plying Charkha for half
an hour every day. Tagore asked why not eight and half hours, if it could help
the country, in gaining freedom or Swaraj. The two could not agree.

On May 20, 1932 Mahatmaji went on a fast in Yerwada Jail protesting against
separate electoral representation for backward Hindus. Tagore sent a telegram
to Gandhiji saying "it is well worth sacrificing precious life for the sake of
India's unity and her social integrity. Though we cannot anticipate what
effect it may have upon rulers who may not understand its immense importance
for our people, we feel certain that the supreme appeal of such self offering
to the conscience of our own countrymen will not be in vain. I fervently hope
that we will not callously allow such national tragedy to reach its extreme
length. Our sorrowing hearts will follow your sublime penance with reverence
and love. Gandhiji replied " "have always experience God's mercy. Very early
this morning I wrote seeking your blessing if you could approve action and
behold I have it in abundance in your message just received" referringto the
telegram.

The same day Gandhiji wrote a letter to Gurudev Rabindranath saying "This is
early morning 3 o’clock of Tuesday. I enter the fiery gate at noon – if you
can bless the effort. I want it. You have been to me a true friend because you
have been a candid friend often speaking your though aloud. I had looked
forward to a firm opinion from you one or the other. But you have refused to
criticize. Though it can now only be during my fast. I will yet prize your
criticism, if your heart condemns my action. I am not too proud to make an
open confession of my blunder, whatever the cost of confession, I find myself
in error. If your heart approves the action I want your blessing. It will
sustain me I hope I have made myself clear. My love". A note was added by
Gandhiji to this letter "Just as I was handing this o the Superintendent, I
got your loving and magnificent wire. It will sustain me in the midst of the
storm I am about to enter". (Source: Rabindra Rachanawali, Vol. 14)

Worried about the health of Mahatma Gandhi, fasting in Yerwada Jail protesting
against the British proposal to formulate separate electoral representation to
scheduled castes, Rabindranath Tagore reached Pune to see for
himself. Mahatmaji sent his son to escort Tagore inside. By that time the
British Government had accepted the demand of Mahatma Gandhi and the fasting
leader observing moun till afternoon that day agreed to break his fast. Kamala
Nehru prepared the juice and Kasturba Gandhi offered the sip. Tagore was
requested by Mahatmaji to sing a self composed song. He sang "jiban jakhan
shukai e jai, karunadharai eso". Tagore included his experience of the day
into his book on Mahatma Gandhi.

In Pune on Gandhi's birthday Tagore attended a meeting in Shivaji Mandir
presided over by Madan Mohan Malaviya where he read out his written speech and
gave full throated support to Mahatmaji's untouchability abolition movement.

Mahatma Gandhi visited Tagore's school and university in Santiniketan on four
occasions – twice with Kasturba Gandhi and twice alone. In 1936 Rabindranath
reached Delhi with his Dance Drama team after visiting Allahabad and Lucknow
with the purpose of collecting funds for Vishwa Bharati to tide over the money
crunch. Mahatma Gandhi was sad to see that his Gurudev at such an old age
moving around collecting funds. Gandhiji met him and arranged the money.

In 1940, a year before Tagore's death, Gandhi alongwith Kasturba Gandhi went
to see the ailing poet, where Tagore asked him to take charge of Vishwa
Bharati after his absence. In 1951 after Independence, Vishwa Bharati was
taken over by the Government of India as a Central University.

Rabindranath attended a number of Congress sessions in Calcutta where he
composed songs and sang. ‘Jana Gana Mana’ the National Anthem was the opening
song for the second day of the Congress Session in 1911.