Shantiniketan: Unveiling of Tagore’s Creative Abode

Shantiniketan – abode of peace – is Rabindranath Tagore’s Karmabhoomi – Tagore’s work place. Rabindranath Tagore  established Santiniketan, a town 212 km north of Kolkata in Bolpur in Dec 22nd, 1901.

About Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore is the first Nobel Laureate of India. He was awarded Nobel Prize in literature in 1913. Here are a few lines on Rabindranath Tagore to help you understand him better.

Rabindranath Tagore is a renowned Bengali poet. Not just that he is famous as a writer, philosopher, and artist. Such was his calibre that Rabindranath Tagore had a profound impact on the world through his work. His vision of education, culture, and spirituality, as embodied in his Santiniketan School and Visva Bharati University, inspired generations of students and intellectuals.

It was his dream to provide open air, gurukul like atmosphere to the students instead of class room within four walls for studies. He named the University as Vishva Bharati, a place of Universal knowledge and culture. Vishva Bharti means communion of the world with India. It was recognised as central university in 1951.

Shantiniketan – peace home is Tagore’s Karmabhoomi

Santiniketan: Unveiling the Mystique of Tagore’s Creative Abode

His literature, including the iconic poem collection Gitanjali, won him international recognition and the Nobel Prize for Literature. Tagore’s artistic legacy, including his paintings, music, and dance, has influenced a wide range of artists and genres. Rabindranath Tagore’s thoughts were not limited to just art and culture. He was very vocal on his advocacy for Indian independence and opposition to colonialism. His works had a significant impact on the nationalist movement.

Read more: Jorasanko Thakur Bari Kolkata, where Rabindranath Tagore was born in 1861.

Exploring Santiniketan, the Work Place of Rabindranath Tagore

Santiniketan, located in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, India, is renowned as the karmabhoomi or work place of Rabindranath Tagore. He established Shanti niketan in 1901 as an experimental school, later expanding it into a university with a unique educational philosophy that emphasized holistic development and creativity.

Over time, Santiniketan grew into a university with a unique educational philosophy that emphasized the integration of arts and humanities with science and technology. It rightly fits the description as – Santiniketan: A Historical and Cultural Hub in West Bengal.

Shantiniketan Open Air Classrooms

One of the main reasons for this open air classroom was that Rabindranath Tagore had dropped out of school because he felt claustrophobic within the 4 walls of a classroom. He was unable to think clearly and freely.

Rabindranath Tagore never wanted his students to go through that. He wanted to combine the sense of freedom yet get formal learning environment of a school.

He was a firm believer of the theory that education should be obtained with a sense of obligation towards the larger civic community. His several trips abroad enabled him to blend the best of western and traditional eastern systems of education.

Explore Shantiniketan Tagore's Karmabhoomi

From Santiniketan to the World: The Impact of Rabindranath Tagore’s Work

According to Rabindranath Tagore…

In childhood we learn our lessons with the aid of both body and mind, with all the senses active and eager.

When we are sent to school, the doors of natural information are closed to us; our eyes see the letters, our ears the abstract lessons, but our mind misses the perpetual stream of ideas from nature, because the teachers, in their wisdom, think these bring distraction, and have no purpose behind them…

so the growth of the child’s mind is not only injured, but forcibly spoiled.

Student in Shantiniketan Tagore’s Karmabhoomi

Apart from its rich educational heritage, Santiniketan town is also known for its distinctive architecture and design, which combines traditional Indian and modern Western influences. The town is dotted with beautiful red-brick buildings, landscaped gardens, and open-air classrooms, which create a unique and inspiring atmosphere for learning and creativity.

In Shanti niketan I saw how he implemented his ideas of education. Vast grounds, with huge shady trees, some buildings and a huge cordoned off area; it is here students sat around Tagore himself. Santiniketan is included in tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage sites since 2010.

The several departments here are:

  • Vidya Bhawan – a School of research
  • Siksha, Cheena Bhawan – school of Sino-Indian studies
  • Kala Bhawan – a School of fine arts
  • Sangeet Bhawan – a School of music and dancing
  • Sri Niketan – an institution of rural construction.
The Architecture and Design of Santiniketan: A Unique Blend of Tradition and Modernity

Shantiniketan Tagore’s Karmabhoomi class rooms – The Architecture and Design of Santiniketan: A Unique Blend of Tradition and Modernity

Shantiniketan Tagore’s Karmabhoomi

Finally I was at my dream destination. Since my childhood days I had been hearing of this place, I had seen people who passed out of this university were looked upon with so much respect, lucky to have such opportunity in life. Most students from here are from arts and humanities fields.

Several notable Indian students studied in Santiniketan before they set out to shine in their respective fields of work. Popular among them are:

Art work by a student displayed in grounds of Shantiniketan

Festivals in Shantiniketan

Festivals and Celebrations at Santiniketan: Keeping Tagore’s Legacy Alive. Santiniketan hosts a series of festivals to celebrate different seasons and facets of life.

  • Poush Mela
  • Basant Mela
  • Nandan Mela
  • Sarodutsav
  • Maghotsav
  • Briksharopan Utsav

Sadly, the popular festivals Poush Mela and Basant Mela have been scrapped due to some unpleasant incidents. The festival celebrations are now limited within campus.

Nandan Mela, where university students sell their art, Sarodutsav (Autumn Festival), Maghotsav (Founding Day of the Sriniketan campus) and Brikhsharopan Utsav (Tree Planting Festival) are limited to one day.

If you are keen to see them plan your visit but before that please check the dates with authorities there.

Student at work in open class room of nature

Chhatim Tala in Shantiniketan

Exploring the Gardens and Nature Trails of Santiniketan: Tagore’s Love for the Environment

Rabindranath Tagore had a deep love for nature and the environment, which is reflected in the gardens and nature trails of Santiniketan. The university campus is spread over a vast area. The authorities there have maintained the lush greenery, landscaped gardens, and open spaces that provide a tranquil and inspiring environment for learning and creativity. Tagore believed in the importance of connecting with nature, and he incorporated this philosophy into his educational approach.

You can’t miss Chhatimtala while you are there. It is very beautifully maintained in the shade of trees, a raised platform and a path leading to it lined with flowering plants. For all related to Shantiniketan this is a holy divine place.

The guide told us: Maharishi Debendranath Tagore (father of Rabindranath Tagore) meditated in the shade of Chatim Trees. His experience of spiritual realization while meditating in ‘Chhatim Tala’ symbolizes the starting point of Santiniketan.

These trees are Alstonia scholaris (Saptaparni) and are called Chhatim Tree in Bengali. It is commonly called blackboard tree or devil’s tree in English. Tala means under, hence Chhatim Tala means under the Chhatim Tree.

Exploring the Gardens and Nature Trails of Santiniketan: Tagore's Love for the Environment

Banyan Tree Santiniketan from times of Tagore – Exploring the Gardens and Nature Trails of Santiniketan: Tagore’s Love for the Environment

Wiki mentions the usage of this tree:

During Convocation the leaves of Chhatim Tree are awarded to graduates and postgraduates and scholars of Visva-Bharati University by Chancellor who in turn always the Prime Minister of India (though to prevent excessive damage to environment in recent years Vice Chancellor of university on behalf of all students accept one Saptaparni from Chancellor).

This tradition signifies the name of the plant. This tradition was initiated by the founder of the University Gurudeb Rabindranath Tagore.

Chhatim Tala - Santiniketan: Tracing the Footsteps of Tagore's Intellectual Journey

Chhatim Tala Santiniketan: Tracing the Footsteps of Tagore’s Intellectual Journey

Over the years, he created numerous works of literature, music, and art that were deeply inspired by the natural beauty and cultural richness of the region. Tagore’s creative output ranged from poetry and novels to songs and paintings, and he encouraged his students and colleagues to engage with the arts as a way of exploring their innermost thoughts and feelings.

Rabindranath Tagore with Einstein and Mahatma Gandhi

Two pictures that I have always adored of Rabindranath Tagore were: one in which he is seen with Albert Einstein and another he is seen with Mahatma Gandhi. I had this strong desire to visit their homes and their place of work just to feel the ambiance, aura and atmosphere of the places where these great humans walked once.

Years later I did visit their homes/places of work. See here: Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmadabad and Einstein’s House in Bern Switzerland.

Guides of Santiniketan

Once you reach here you will be flocked by a group of people who call themselves guides. Our guide was keen to share all he knew.

He showed us the palm tree which inspired him to write the poem – Taal Gaachh. The song ekla cholo re was conceived in his mind while he walked along this path, he said, pointing to a narrow path. I wondered how he knows… but locals like to believe it that way.

Ekla Chalo re... song by Tagore The Legacy of Rabindranath Tagore in Santiniketan: An Insightful Journey

Ekla Chalo re… song by Tagore – The Legacy of Rabindranath Tagore in Santiniketan: An Insightful Journey

Most buildings around this university are well marked with boards and description, but since the place is a huge one it is difficult to figure out where to start and where to end. No maps are provided. So a guide can be helpful in that respect alone, else it is best to explore on your own.

IMPORTANT: The Shantiniketan grounds are open to public only the later part of the day, when school hours are over.

A Glimpse into the Life and Work of Rabindranath Tagore at Santiniketan

Facade of a building in Shantiniketan Tagore’s Karmabhoomi – A Glimpse into the Life and Work of Rabindranath Tagore at Santiniketan

Open Timings

Rabindra Bhavan, where Rabindranath Tagore’s memorabilia and other possessions are on display, is open on Sundays, closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Visva-Bharati stays closed only on Wednesdays and the university has half days on Tuesdays.

Conclusion

Tagore’s work continues to inspire and resonate with people around the world, making him one of the most important cultural figures of the 20th century. Today, Santiniketan remains an important cultural and educational hub, attracting visitors from around the world who come to explore Tagore’s life and works, experience the natural beauty of the region, and participate in the many festivals and celebrations that take place throughout the year.

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