SOEKARNA MET TAGORE IN JAVA

RABINDRANATH

Rabindranath, the great Internationalist, the Lover of Man, and the Lover of Liberty, naturally had his fullest sympathy for all freedom movements to bring a people back to its proper dignity. An intensely nationalistic and patriotic man—his nationalism and patriotism being based on the highest and noblest ideals—his life and writings bear out the truth of the statement that “he alone can be truly international who is most intensely national”. His readers also never missed this great note of love for man in his writings. Apart from his exquisite imagination, and his profundity of Experience and beauty of Expression, this note of Humanity was one which enabled him to become the universal poet that he was, and will for all time continue to be. His appeal to men and women of all nations has been amply demonstrated by his popularity. Very few poets or writers had the honour of being translated into so many languages; and fewer still of being regarded with so much love and devotion.

It would only be natural that men and women of diverse climes and cultures would come to him for solace and comfort, for help and support, either through reading him, or coming in direct touch with him if he were available. And the poet in a vague way felt it to be a mission in his life to be visiting the nations and making personal contacts : and there would be no lack of eager souls anxious to get his personal touch, even for once. When in London, in 1929, it was my privilege to take bands of young people (mostly continental) to him for a near glimpse of his personality—a few minutes’ talk with him.

During my trip to Malaya, Java, Bali, and Siam, in 1927, as a member of Rabindranath’s party, I had occasion to be present when people of various sorts and conditions came to see him. I have sought to preserve a record of it all in my account of this for-me-memorable joining through Indonesia and part of Indo-China (Siam) in the company of great Rabindranath, in the Bengali narrative of our travels (since published in the form of a book, Dwipamay Bharat or “Island India”, Calcutta, 1940). From this record as published, I shall give two extracts in translation and these are just brief statements of little episodes which often meant a great deal of those who were present in it with the poet.