Established in rural West Bengal in 1901 by the renowned poet and philosopher Rabindranath Tagore, Santiniketan was a residential school and centre for art based on ancient Indian traditions and a vision of the unity of humanity transcending religious and cultural boundaries.
A ‘world university’ was established at Santiniketan in 1921, recognizing the unity of humanity or “Visva Bharati”. Distinct from the prevailing British colonial architectural orientations of the early 20th century and of European modernism, Santiniketan represents approaches toward a pan-Asian modernity, drawing on ancient, medieval and folk traditions from across the region.
WHY DID RABINDRANATH TAGORE ESTABLISH SHANTINIKETAN?
Rabindranath Tagore established Shantiniketan in 1901 with the vision of creating an educational institution that would be in harmony with nature, allowing students to better understand the topics they were learning. He was inspired by the peace and serenity of the location and aimed to create a place of learning that transcended religious and regional barriers. Shantiniketan was founded on the principles of the ancient Indian Gurukul system, where education was provided in a natural setting, fostering a strong connection between students and their environment.
HISTORY OF SHANTINIKETAN
Santiniketan was originally called Bhubandanga, after the name of the village where it was located.
The town of Santiniketan was founded by Maharshi Devendranath Tagore, the father of Rabindranath Tagore, who was a Bengali philosopher, polymath, and the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. Maharshi Devendranath Tagore was a follower of the Brahmo Samaj, a Hindu reform movement that emphasized the worship of one supreme God and the importance of education and social reform.
In 1863, Maharshi Devendranath Tagore purchased a large piece of land in Bhubandanga, which he renamed Santiniketan, meaning “abode of peace.” He established an ashram, or spiritual retreat, on the land and started to teach his students about the principles of the Brahmo Samaj, as well as the importance of nature and simplicity.
Bolpur was a small place in the mid-19th century, but it grew as Shantiniketan did. A portion of Bolpur was a part of the zamindari of the Sinha family of Raipur. Bhuban Mohan Sinha had developed a village in the Bolpur area called Bhubandanga, which was opposite Shantiniketan.
Bhubandanga was known for a group of dacoits who were notorious for killing people. However, the leader of the group eventually surrendered to Debendranath and helped him develop the area. Debendranath built a 60-foot by 30-foot glass structure for Brahmo prayers, inspired by The Crystal Palace in London, under a chhatim tree where he used to meditate.
The structure was a popular attraction. Rabindranath Tagore first visited Shantiniketan in 1878 when he was 17 years old. In 1888, Debendranath dedicated the property to establish a Brahmavidyalaya through a trust deed.
In 1901, Rabindranath started a Brahmacharyaashrama, which became known as Patha Bhavana in 1925. In 1913, Rabindranath Tagore won the Nobel Prize in Literature. In 1921, Rabindranath Tagore founded Visva Bharati, which was declared a central university and institute of national importance in 1951.
Rabindranath Tagore, who was born in Calcutta in 1861, was deeply influenced by his father’s teachings and spent much of his childhood at the ashram in Santiniketan. He later went on to study at the University of London and became a renowned poet, writer, and philosopher. In 1901, Rabindranath Tagore returned to Santiniketan and established Visva-Bharati University, which was initially a small school for the study of Indian culture and traditions.
Visva-Bharati University was later expanded to include a wide range of disciplines, including arts, sciences, and humanities. It became a Central University and an Institution of National Importance in 1951, and is now one of the most prestigious universities in India. Rabindranath Tagore also established several other cultural institutions in Santiniketan, including the Kala Bhavan, a school of fine arts, and the Sangit Bhavan, a music school.
Santiniketan became a hub of cultural and intellectual activity, attracting scholars and artists from around the world. It became known for its natural beauty, with its lush green forests and fields, and its peaceful, serene atmosphere. It was also a center of resistance during India’s struggle for independence, with many of its students and faculty participating in the freedom movement.
Today, Santiniketan is a popular tourist destination, with its many cultural institutions, beautiful natural surroundings, and rich history. It continues to be a center of learning and cultural exchange, and is an important part of India’s cultural and intellectual heritage.
SOURCE: https://www.santiniketan.com/ & UNESCO
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