Shantiniketan: A Deep Shadow in the Realm of World Heritage

We want to visit Shantiniketan not once, not twice, but again and again—such a holy and pilgrimage place. The Indian government has been trying for a long time to get Shantiniketan, located in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, India, to be recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Finally, it was recognized by UNESCO. Shantiniketan, the memorial of poet Rabindranath Tagore, was recognized as a World Heritage Site on September 17, 2023. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced this. India's Shantiniketan is newly added to UNESCO's World Heritage List. Located 100 miles north of Kolkata, Shantiniketan, a World Heritage Site, wasoriginally an Ashram. It was founded by Rabindranath Tagore's father, Debendranath Tagore, and holds a deep historical significance.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Shantiniketan is its unwavering commitment to inclusivity. Anyone can worship the Lord here regardless of caste, religion, or creed. The International Council on Monuments and Sites' recommendation to inscribe Shantiniketan as a World Heritage Site further underscores its dedication to equality and diversity. This commitment is a part of its history and a living inspiration for all who visit.

In 1888, the Shantiniketan Trust established a guest house, prayer hall, and library dedicated to religious places for literature. Later, Rabindranath Tagore started the journey in 1901 with only five students. Rabindranath Tagore laid the foundation stone of Bishwa Bharati in 1918. The activities of Bishwa Bharati University began in 1921. Rabindranath Tagore spent most of his time in Shantiniketan until the end of his life. More than six thousand students are studying in the institution associated with the poet's name.

Shantiniketan, or Bishwa Bharati, is not just a place of pilgrimage in Bengali literature but also a unique educational center. Located near Bolpur town in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, it is an ashram-based institution that stands in the shadow of nature. Established in 1863 by Rabindranath Tagore's father, Maharshi Debendranath Tagore, this ashram was designed for private meditation and religious criticism. What sets it apart is its open classrooms and teaching sessions held in natural, open spaces under trees, creating a calm and intimate learning environment.

When discussing Shantiniketan or Bishwa Bharati, many songs by Kabiguru come to mind as very relevant. By establishing Bishwa Bharati University, the poet wanted to bring Shantiniketan to the court of the world; he wanted the full development of unlimited knowledge, and he tried to present Shantiniketan to the whole world, inspired by the thought of world humanism.

The nature of this Shantiniketan attracts many people. Classes of young children under shady trees, occasional narrow red paths, talks with mango trees in Arkunjo, Gaur Praganan, Ghantaghar, Shyamoli, Udayan, and above all, the famous Chhatim tree under which Maharishi Debendranath used to sit and engross himself in Sadhana. This is like a different environment, the bond of love between people and nature, the meeting of great people. Mesmerized by the sculptures in the Kalabhaban, lost for a moment in the trance of the music emanating from within the Sangeet Bhaban. That's when you fall in love with Shantiniketan.

In 1862, Maharshi Debendranath came to his friend's house in Bolpur. At that time, Shantiniketan was a crowded field, and riots—Bhuban Dakat (Robber) tortured him. Maharshi Debendranath's Chhatimatala and its surroundings became very popular. He feels that here, he can practice in peace of mind.

Maharshi Debendranath Bandhu bought this place from the Zamindars of Raipur as a goodwill gesture for just one rupee. The landlord, Bhuban Mohan Singh, wanted to give this Danga land to his friend for free. But Maharshi Debdendranath did not agree to take anything for free, so Zamindar Bhuban Mohan Singh sold his friend about twenty acres of land for one rupee. Here,Maharishi Debendranath established his home in Shantiniketan, the nest of peace. He felt the comfort of life, joy of mind, and peace of soul in this chhatimatala. Close to this Chhatimatala is the glass house of worship.

Brahmacharya Ashram was established here in 1901. Rabindranath came to Shantiniketan to make the seeds sown by Maharishi Debendranath Shantiniketan Ashram to its fullest. In Jibansmriti, we read that Rabindranath never liked education within school walls. He wanted the students to sit in the lap of nature and learn with joy. In 1901, the ashram school was established on the model of Tapobana with only five students. Subsequently, Rabindranath dedicated his university to the public at the Mahasamaroh on the 8th Paush Arkunjo, 1921. Philosopher Brajendranath Sheel presided over the meeting. In this meeting, Rabindranath referred to Bishwa Bharati as the field of penance for all mankind.

The saplings planted in the Shantiniketan Brahmacharyasram were established in 1901 to establish Bishwa Bharati and became the 8th Paush Mohiru in 1921. There are over sixty departments, countless students, and teaching staff. Rabindranath wanted to present Visva Bharati to the world. The open door of Bishwa-Bharati for all, the union of East and West, wanted the unlimited expansion of knowledge. 'Dibe ar nibe milabe milibe jaibe na pere', the impression of liberal thinking above all the narrowness of the dark-skinned male poet, can be realized in these two lines.

Rabindranath realized that if Bishwa Bharati was to be reached in different parts of the world by imparting education and making it a center of art and culture. Therefore, one by one, he made music, dance, dance, architecture, art, and culture, which are the bearers and bearers of Bishwa Bharati. Teaching of different languages ??also started.

Gandhiji, Netaji, Kshitimohan Shastri Mahashay from Benares, Bidhushekhar Shastri, Nandalal Bose, Haricharan Banerjee, etc. came and helped shape Rabindranath's thought. Universal humanism is given particular importance in Shantiniketan. He called for the union of the world's people at Shantiniketan through writing poetry, plays, and songs.

In 1913, Professor of Botany and Pastor Pearson of London Missionary College came to Shantiniketan. He was impressed by the nature and environment, and he surrendered his life here. A Santal village here is called Pearson Palli. Bishwa Bharati Hospital is Pearson Memorial Hospital.

In 1926, the educational institution was shifted to Sriniketan. Only the poor students of the village could study in the school. Students were encouraged to pursue various vocational education, such as agriculture, animal husbandry, and cottage industries. Here, the students were given free education.

Rabindranath Tagore established Ananda Pathshala, Pathabhavan,and Uttar Shiksha Bidyalaya to educate children and adolescents. Mrinalini Debi made many contributions to establishing Anand Pathshala. These Brahmacharyasrams and schools aimed to develop the all-round personality and to see the student's wanderings in various fields of art, literature, art, and culture. To see the small children teaching the students in the open garden of nature under the trees seems to have gone to paradise, just like many ages ago when the mentors used to prepare their disciples in the lap of nature.

In 1951, the Central Government recognized Bishwa Bharati as an accredited university through a bill passed by the Parliament of Delhi. Many deaths and sorrows have come in the poet's life. Shantiniketan Ashram was established in 1901, Mrinalini Debi passed away in 1902, Renuka in 1903, Pithridev in 1905, Shamindranath in 1907, and Madhabilata in 1918. A storm has arisen in the poet's heart. The death of his loved ones has repeatedly wounded him. The poet's mind is broken but has not deviated from his ideals, thoughts, and actions.

Some developments and transformations have occurred in Shantiniketan since a few days after the establishment of Brahmacharyasram. In 1918, electricity came, and lights were lit from house to house. That year, motor buses were introduced for transportation convenience.

Along with teaching in the natural environment at Shantiniketan, Rabindranath developed later arts and culture, such as dance, drama, painting, sculpture, etc., and brought Shantiniketan to the world. Shantiniketan Paush Mela and Basant Utsav is the meeting place of the world's people. Various people worldwide gather in Paush Mela; Rabindra Sangeet sounds in the sky of Shantiniketan, along with Kabi songs, Baul songs, and regional dance songs of different states, are performed. Poets and literary artists from other parts of India and the world come to this fair. There is an exchange of art-culture ideas.

Maybe the environment has changed a lot since Kabiguru's time in Shantiniketan. Still maintaining Kabiguru's ideals and ideology, Visva Bharati has set an example in the court of the world as the center of education and culture. Bangladesh Bhaban has been built in a large area in Shantiniketan. The modern two-story building houses an auditorium, museum, and library. Three and a half thousand books have been brought from Bangladesh for the library. The two Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and India, Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi, inaugurated this state-of-the-art building built with Bangladeshi money. The museum is divided into four zones, starting with the archaeological remains of Wari Bateshwar and ending with the Liberation War.

Written By: Hiren Pandit

Hiren Pandit, is an essayist and a researcher

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