Toumanian's public activity of 1900s could no longer escape the attention of tsarist government security department agents.
Among the secret summaries and reports sent to Petersburg, the first document that mentions the poet's name with a question mark is dated June 7, 1901. It was the list of Tiflis Armenian Benevolent Society members, with the names of untrustworthy citizens. In that period, when the Armenian language and literature subjects were removed from school programs by Golitsyn's order, as a counterbalance, the secret student group "Rainbow" was created in Tiflis. Like N. Aghbalyan and D. Demirchyan, Toumanian also taught Armenology classes to the members of the group.
In 1900 the poet became a member of The Ethnographic Publishing Company founded by E. Lalayan, the activity of which was not supported by gendarmerie department. Because of this, the police chased Toumanian and searched his house several times.
In 1899 a literary group was created in Toumanian’s house – Behbutyan 50 (5th floor). Following the example of the French Goncourt brothers, who called their attic literary group "Garner", the name "Vernatoun" (the garret) was suggested for the apartment on the upper floor of the building. As D. Demirtchyan mentioned "It looked like another upper house, where Christ's disciples were gathered. There was some psychic inner meaning in it…" The founding members were Hovhannes Toumanian, Avetik Isahakyan, Nikol Aghbalyan, Ghazaros Aghayan, Derenik Demirtchyan and Levon Shant. "Each of us had a name. My name was Shakespeare, I loved him very much and I had many children like him. Nikol was Brandes – he was our critic. Derenik – Byron. He was obsessed with Byronism. Shant – Heine. He loved Heine and his beard was sharp like Heine’s, Avo – Nietzsche, was excited about him, and we called Aghayan, the oldest of us, Nahapet" – Toumanian’s memories about happy times. The group’s permanent visitors were writers, painters, musicians, artists, scientists, public figures and guests of Tiflis. The name of the group was recognized by society.
During "Vernatoun" gatherings, they discussed various literary and cultural, geopolitical issues, read and analyzed world literature, discussed newly published books. At the end of the gatherings they had entertainment: tea, coffee, dinner, singing, funny stories, etc.
In this period Toumanian wrote a series of poems ("Psalms of Sorrow" series, "My Homeland, Dark and Gloom" poem, etc.) made translations (Byron "Fare Thee Well" and a part of M. Konopnitskaya " Prometheus and Sisyphus " poem). Toumanian marked Pushkin's 100th birth anniversary with two magnificent translations – "The Song of Wise Oleg" and "Drowned" ballads.
M. Ter-Andreasyan wrote about Byron's "Prisoner of Chillion" translation in his letter to the poet – "I compared "Your Chillion" with the original. It's just amazing how you managed to give us such a great translation without knowing English…".
Of course, Toumanian had his own idea about translation: "The translation is a rose under a glass, it is almost impossible for the translator to give the native fragrance and charm of the original. However, it is always required that he stick to the idea of the case and make it clear to the reader".
In summer of 1901 the poet had chance to have both full rest and to travel (Uravel, Akhaltsikhe, Abastumani, Akhalkalaki, Aleksandrapol, Ani). He saw the ruins of Tmuk fortress in Javakhk. The surroundings left a great impression on Toumanian. He asked the locals to tell him legends about the fortress. He perfectly knew that legend, included in “Scent of Javakhk” collection. In 1902 he wrote "The Capture of the Fortress of Tmuk" poem, where the poet discussed eternal philosophical themes: the endless struggle between good and evil, love and betrayal, heroism, the secret of a man's fleeting life and the permanence of his good deeds.
He also admired the beauty of Parvana Lake in Javakhk. Here he wrote the overture of "Parvana" poem.
Later, the writer's dream to see Ani, the once magnificent capital of Armenia, came true. He was accompanied by his poet friend Av. Isahakyan. Isahakyan wrote about that meeting – "We are approaching the magnificent walls and pyramids of Ani. Ohanes is excited, says nothing, and only quickens his steps, keeping his eyes on the walls". Toumanian captured many architectural monuments and scenes of Ani with his camera, which have preserved their grandeur and beauty even in the ruins.
The poet left the following note in the memorial book of Ani's visitors:
We have glories buried under the ground,
We have hopes in our country.
Shall it be a ruin forever?
Shall we remain in sorrow forever?
At the end of the same year, the works "Unlucky Merchants", "Testament", "Sad Conversation", "The Eagle and the Oak", "Bear Hunting" were published in the "Aghbyur"-"Taraz"-Matenadaran catalogue.
During that period he wrote "On the occasion of rural schools", "The Writer’s letters" articles. He wrote also some parts of "King Hovhannes (1021-1022)" drama, worked on the final version of "Anoush" poem.
1900-1902 Toumanian had chance to rest, heal and work in Uravel, Abastumani. "I will not be wrong, if I say that ninety percent of my writings I wrote when I was sick and one more, when I was sent somewhere due to illness… especially in Abastumani." It was the period of his intense creative rise. He wrote here most of his best works "Parvana", "The Capture of the Fortress of Tmuk", "David of Sasoun", finalized "Anoush" and other works. Literary experts called this period "Abastuman Autumn".
That rich "harvest" was summed up in "Poems" magnificent volume published in Tiflis in 1903. The printing costs were covered with great love and willingness by Duchess Mariam Toumanian – a philanthropist, public and national figure, a fan of Toumanian's poetry and his close friend. She was well aware that the step she took was primarily aimed at the development of Armenian culture.