Santiniketan UNESCO World Heritage List

Source: Live Mint
GS II: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. About Santhinikethan
3. Other sites which found a place on the list

Why in the News?

Santiniketan, a town in West Bengal, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List during the 45th Session of the World Heritage Committee in Saudi Arabia.

News in Brief

• This was announced by the international agency in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee is being held till September 25.
• Santiniketan becomes the 41st UNESCO World Heritage Site in India and the third in West Bengal, after the Sundarbans National Park and the Darjeeling Mountain Railways.
• Last year, the state’s Durga Puja got space in the “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” under UNESCO.
• There had been repeated efforts in the past to secure the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site for Santiniketan, especially in the run-up to Tagore’s 150th birth anniversary in 2010.

About Santhinikethan

Santiniketan, founded by the illustrious poet, philosopher, and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, is a renowned educational and cultural institution located in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, India.

It holds a special place in India’s intellectual and cultural heritage. 

Santiniketan

• Founding and Philosophy
  • Santiniketan, which means “Abode of Peace,” was founded by Rabindranath Tagore in 1901.
  • It started as an experiment in education based on Tagore’s vision of a holistic and integrated approach to learning.
  • His educational philosophy aimed at breaking away from the rigidities of traditional education.
  • It aims to foster an environment where students can connect with nature, arts, and culture.
• Nature-Centric Education
  • Santiniketan’s unique feature was its open-air classrooms, where students studied under trees.
  • Tagore believed that the natural environment could be a powerful teacher.
  • The curriculum at Santiniketan emphasized a close connection with nature, and students were encouraged to learn from the world around them.
• Cultural and Artistic Hub
  • Santiniketan became a hub for arts and culture under Tagore’s guidance.
  • It played a pivotal role in the revival of traditional Indian arts and crafts.
  • Tagore believed in the integration of artistic expression with education.
  • Santiniketan became known for its cultural festivals, music, dance, and theater performances.
• Internationalism
  • Tagore’s outlook was not limited to India.
  • Santiniketan attracted scholars, artists, and students from around the world.
  • It became a center for international cultural exchange, reflecting Tagore’s belief in the universality of knowledge and culture.
• Visva-Bharati University
  • In 1921, Santiniketan was expanded into Visva-Bharati University, a central university that embodies Tagore’s educational ideals.
  • It continues to follow his philosophy of education and cultural enrichment.

Rabindranath Tagore

• Role as Founder
  • Rabindranath Tagore’s role in Santiniketan was multifaceted.
  • He not only founded the institution but also served as its guiding light.
  • His educational experiments, poems, songs, and plays were an integral part of Santiniketan’s curriculum and cultural life.
• Educational Vision
  • Tagore’s educational vision was centred on the idea that education should be a liberating experience, nurturing the mind and soul.
  • He emphasized the importance of creativity, critical thinking, and a deep connection with one’s cultural roots.
• Cultural Contribution
  • Tagore’s contributions to Indian culture are immeasurable.
  • His compositions, including the national anthems of India (Jana Gana Mana) and Bangladesh (Amar Shonar Bangla), are celebrated worldwide.
  • His literary works, such as “Gitanjali” (Song Offerings), earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913.
• Social Reformer
  • Beyond education and culture, Tagore was a social reformer and a strong advocate for humanism and internationalism.
  • He used his literary and intellectual prowess to address societal issues and promote peace and harmony.

Conclusion

In summary, Santiniketan stands as a testament to Rabindranath Tagore’s progressive educational and cultural ideals. It continues to be a revered institution in India, attracting students and artists from various corners of the world. Rabindranath Tagore’s legacy, both as a visionary educator and a cultural icon, remains deeply intertwined with Santiniketan’s identity and mission.

Other sites which found a place on the list

• Ancient Jericho in Palestine
• Cultural Landscape of Old Tea Forests of the Jingmai Mountain in China’s Pu’er.
• Gedeo Cultural Landscape in Ethiopia;
• Zarafshan Karakum Corridor of Silk Roads in Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

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