Shantiniketan

Departments of Visva Bharati

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 14:52:00 +0000

Institutes

Vidya Bhavana -College for Humanities and Languages
Siksha Bhavana - College for Science
Sangit Bhavana - College for Music
Kala Bhavana - College for Arts and Crafts
Vinaya Bhavana - College for B-Ed and Physial Education
Rabindra Bhavana - Rabindranath Research Centre
Palli-Samgathana Vibhaga - College for Rural Developement and Social Work and Technology
Palli-Siksha Bhavana - College for Agriculture

Schools

Patha Bhavana - 10th Std
Mrinalini Ananda Pathsala - Nursery
Siksha Satra - 10th Std
Santosh Pathsala - Nursery
Uttar-Siksha Sadana - 10+2 Std

Centres

Nippon Bhavana (Japanese Department)
Indira Gandhi Centre for National Integration
The Computer Centre
Rural Extension Centre (REC)
Silpa Sadana (Technology)
Palli-Charcha Kendra (Agriculture)
Centre of Bio-technology
Centre of Mathematics Education
Centre for Applied Rural Education
Centre for Science in Villages
Sikhsa-Charcha Primary teacher training Institute)
Agro-Economic Research Centre
Centre for Environmental Studies
Centre for Journalism and Mass Communication
Rathindra Krishi Vigan Kendra (Agriculture Science)

Basonto Utsav : Slide Show

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 21:24:00 +0000

Basonto Utsav

Pous Mela : The biggest fair of Shantiniketan as well as Bengal

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 15:26:00 +0000

Pous Mela is a major event held in the month of December in Shantiniketan, According to the Bengali calendar, the month of December is called 'poush mash'. As the fair or the mela is held in this month it is called Pous Mela. The mela is organized every year, attracting a large number of people to the place from all over the country.

The first Pous Mela was organized on December 21st, in the year 1895. This event was aided by a trust run by Maharishi Devendranath Tagore who felt the need of bringing together the people of different communities residing in West Bengal. This fair was a platform for social get together and interaction that would lead to bridge the gap amongst the people.

Basonto Utsav : The Coloured Festival

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 11:49:00 +0000

The tradition of Vasantotsav, meaning Spring Festival was started by poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore at Shantiniketan...

Rabindranath Tagore : The Nobel Laureate

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 17:57:00 +0000

1913 - Awarded Noble Prize for Literature, becoming the first Asian to receive it....

"because of his profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse, by which, with consummate skill, he has made his poetic thought, expressed in his own English words, a part of the literature of the West"

Quote from : http://nobelprize.org

History of Visva Bharati : Shantiniketan....

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 17:43:00 +0000

A study of the evolution of Visva-Bharati during the lifetime of its founder, Rabindranath Tagore, offers an insight into what this institution was intended to achieve. Rabindranath founded a school for children at Santiniketan and it was around this nucleus that the structure of an unconventional university developed through careful planning.

In 1863, on a seven-acre plot at the site of the present institution, Debendranath Tagore, the poet's father, had built a small retreat for meditation, and in 1888 he dedicated, the land and buildings, towards establishment of a Brahmavidyalaya and a library. Rabindranath's school Brahmacharyasrama which started functioning formally from December 22, 1901 with no more than five students on the roll, was, in part, a fulfilment of the wishes of his father who was a considerable figure of his time in the field of educational reforms. From 1925 this school came to be known as Patha-Bhavana.

The school was a conscious repudiation of the system introduced in India by the British rulers and Rabindranath initially sought to realize the intrinsic values of the ancient education in India. The school and its curriculum, therefore, signified a departure from the way the rest of the country viewed education and teaching. Simplicity was a cardinal principle. Classes were held in open air in the shade of trees where man and nature entered into an immediate harmonious relationship. Teachers and students shared the single integral socio-cultural life. The curriculum had music, painting, dramatic performances and other performative practices. Beyond the accepted limits of intellectual and academic pursuits, opportunities were created for invigorating and sustaining the manifold faculties of the human personality.

Some Photo Share With You only....

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:42:00 +0000

Shantiniketan Bari

Upashana Mandir

Purono Ghantatala

The Amrokunjo

Shantiniketan : Visitors Guide

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:32:00 +0000

An International University founded by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore where the cultures of the East & the West could meet and mingle. Named Vishva-Bharati, the University represents Indian traditions while incorporating the best of other cultures. Shantiniketan, the abode of peace, was initially an Ashram or hermitage founded in 1863 by Maharishi Devendranath Tagore. In 1901 his son, Rabindranath converted it into an experimental open-air school with just five students. It proved a success. He widened the scope of studies which gradually formed the nucleus of a University.

Another interesting feature about Santiniketan is that splendid sculptures, frescoes, murals and paintings of Rabindranath, Nandlal Bose, Ramkinkar, Bindobehari Mukhopadhyaya and others adorn the campus.

Temperature (deg C) : Summer- Max.39.4, Min.34.3; Winter- Max.15.7, Min.12.1.
Rainfall : 125 cms ( June to September ). Heavy in July\August.
Season : Throughout the year.

The University remains closed in May-June and for one month during the Puja Holidays i.e. September-October.

Access

Air : The nearest airport is Calcutta 213 km.

Rail: The nearest railhead is Bolpur, 2 km away. Trains connecting Bolpur with Howrah/Sealdah (Calcutta) are 3015/3016 Howrah-Bolpur Shantiniketan Exp, 3133/3134 Sealdah-Mughalsarai Exp, 3071/3072 Howrah-Jamalpur Exp, 2557/ 2558 Kanchenjunga Exp., 335/336 Vishwabharati Fast Pgr., Shantiniketan Exp., Danapur Fast Pgr. and Tarapith Passenger.

Road: Good motorable roads connect Shantiniketan with Calcutta 213 kms (Bolpur 2-Panagarh 44-Burdwan 48-Calcutta 119), Durgapur 56 kms, Sarnath 197 kms

Local Transport : Tourist cars and buses available from the Manager, Tourist Lodge. Charges according to distance and time.

Places to visit

Shantiniketan is a University town and a centre of learning. The Uttarayan complex where the poet lived consists of several buildings such as Udayana. Konark, Shyamali, Punascha and Udichi which reflect the architectural genius of the poet's illustrious son the late Rathindranath Tagore. In addition there are Kala Bhavan (College of Fine Arts and Crafts). Sangit Bhavan (College of Music and Dance), Vidya Bhavan (College of Humanities), Siksha-Bhavan (College of Science) and Vinaya Bhavan (Teacher's Training College), Cheena Bhavan and Hindi Bhavan. The Shantiniketan campus of Viswa Bharati has grown up to be a centre for learning with a bias towards art, music and humanities. At Shriniketan, mainly a Centre for Rural Service and Studies (Palli Samgathan Bibhaga), there is a college of Agriculture (Palli Siksha Sadan) as well.

The places of interest are mainly on the campus and have a distinctive feature of some of the best in Indian art and culture.

China Bhavan : The Chinese Faculty.

Chhatimtala : Here Maharshi Devendranath, the father of Rabindranath Tagore, used to meditate. Prayers are held usually at Convocation time. Successful graduates of the Vishwa Bharati University are presented a branch of five leaves each from the Saptaparni trees which abound in the area.

Kala Bhavan : The College of Fine Arts & Crafts has an museum exhibiting sculptures, frescoes & murals and a library of art books.

Patha Bhavan : Now a secondary school, it is of particular interest as an example of the traditional `Brahmacharya Ashram'.

Prayer Hall : Founded by the poet's father in 1863, the hall is made of glass. Prayers are held on Wednesday.

Bichitra : Also called Rabindra Bhavan, a Research Centre and Museum where the poet's personal belongings, paintings & various editions of his works are exhibited.

Sangeet Bhavan : College of Dance and Music. The University is replete with works on Art, Music and the Humanities.

Uttarayan Complex : The poet lived and worked in the Northern Complex consisting of several buildings as : Udayana, Konarka, Shyamali, Punascha and Udichi. The Bichitra ( or, Rabindra Bhavan ) designed by the poet's son Rathindranath Tagore.

Fullora (40 kms), Nalhati (104 kms), Kankalitala (7 kms), Bakreshwar (58 kms): Nearest railway station Dubrajpur 12 kms. WBTDC Tourist Lodges & PWD Inspection Bungalows available

Massanjore (78 kms): Mayurakshi Bhavan, Youth Hostel available to stay there.

Kendubilwa (42 kms): Buses ply from Bolpur railway station. Buses also ply or Kenduli from Calcutta for tourists.

Nanoor (23 kms) : Birthplace of the Vaisnava poet,Chandidas (14th century). Buses ply from Bolpur railway station. Travet Sng time: one hour.

Tarapith (80 kms) : One can reach Tarapith firstly from Bolpur to Rampurhat by train or bus and then 5 kms by bus or cycle rickshaw. Ramkanai Dharamshala a number of hotels are there.

Photography is not permitted

Visiting Timings

Shantiniketan
Winter:- 1400 to 1630 hours
Summer:- 1430 to 1730 hours.
During vacations:- 0730 to 1100 hours.

Shriniketan
Winter:- 1030 to 1230 hours
Summer:- 0800 to 1000 hours.

Click The Map for your Reference

Rabindranath : LIFE SKETCH

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:05:00 +0000

1861
Born on Monday, May 7th, (Vaisakha 25, Saka Era 1783, Bengali Era 1268).

1865
Admitted to Calcutta Training Academy.

1868
Admitted to Oriental Seminary and later to Normal School.

1871
Admitted to Bengal Academy.

1873
Goes with his father Debendranath Tagore on a trip to the Himalayas; his first
visit to Bolpur on the way, composes a drama, Prithviraj Parajay.

1874
His poem entitled Abhilash appears in the Tattvabodhini Patrika.
He is admitted to St. Xavier's School in Calcutta.

1875
On the 11th February, in his first public appearance, recites a patriotic poem
at the Hindu Mela.

1877
Starts to publish poems and articles regularly in his family's monthly journal, Bharati.

1878
Goes to England with brother, Satyendranath.

1880
Returns to India without completing any course of study.

1881
Composes his first set of devotional songs for anniversary of Brahmo Samaj-Maghotsav.
His first musical play, Valmiki-Pratibha staged at Jorasanko.

1883
Marries Mrinalini Devi.

1884
Is appointed Secretary to the Adi Brahmo Samaj, enters into controversy with
Bankimchandra over the neo-Hindu movement.

1885
Takes charge of Balak, a monthly magazine for the young.

1890
Severely attacks the anti-Indian policy of Lord Cross, then Secretary of State for India.
Takes charge of the management of the Tagore Estates with Selaidah as his headquarters.

1891
Writes his first six short stories including Post Master.

1892
At the request of the Rajshahi Association writes his first criticism of the system
of education, Sikshar Herpher, a logical and vigorous proposal for the
acceptance of mother tongue as the medium of instruction.

1894
Takes over editorial charge of Sadhana.

1898
Initiates agricultural experiments on his estates.
Sedition Bill; arrest of Bal Gangadhar Tilak; he reads his paper Kantha-Rodh
(The Throttled) at a public meeting in Calcutta.

1899
At the anniversary of 7 Poush, leads the prayer and delivers his first sermon on
Brahmoponishad in the Mandir at Santiniketan.

1901
Establishes school at Santiniketan. Revives Bangadarshan, editing it for five years.
Comes into contact with Brahmabandhab Upadhyay.

1905
Agitation against Lord Curzon's proposal to partition Bengal. Rabindranath advocates policy
of constructive non-cooperation against the British. On 16th October (the day partition
becomes a settled fact), Rabindranath initiates the Rakhi-bandhan ceremony as a symbol of
unity in Bengal. Leads a huge procession through the streets of Calcutta singing
Banglar mati, Banglar jal.

1906
Writes a series of articles on problems of education and draws up a comprehensive
programme of work for the National Council of Education.

1908
Initiates organised village uplift work in the Patisar region of the Tagore estates
with the help of Kalimohan Ghosh and others.

1910
Christmas Day is observed at Santiniketan for the first time - the Poet conducts the service.

1912
English Gitanjali published by the India Society, London.

1913
English versions of Gitanjali, The Crescent Moon, The Gardener and Chitra
were published by Macmillan.
On 13th November, Rabindranath was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.

1914
Gandhi's students from Phoenix, South Africa come to Santiniketan.

1915
Receives knighthood. Meets Gandhi for the first time.

1916
Travels to Japan and USA, giving lectures on Nationalism and Personality.

1917
Lends support to Pramatha Chaudhuri's attempts to popularise spoken Bengali
as a vehicle of literary expression and himself contributes to Sabujpatra, his first story
written in colloquial Bengali, Paila Nambar.

1918
Formal foundation stone of Visva-Bharati is laid.

1919
Cautions Gandhi against misuse of passive resistance.
Renounces knighthood in protest against Jalianwallah Bagh massacre.

1920
Leaves for England on a lecture tour to raise funds for Visva-Bharati. Travels
to France, Holland and USA.

1921
Visits England, France, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Austria and Czechoslovakia.

1922
Rural Reconstruction Institute at Sriniketan is formally inaugurated with Elmhirst
as its first director.

1923
Visva-Bharati Quarterly starts publication under his editorship. Visarjan is staged at
the Empire Theatre, Calcutta where the Poet plays the role of Jaysingha.

1924
Visits China and Japan and then sails for South America; stays in Buenos Aires as the
guest of Victoria Ocampo.

1926
Travels to Italy (as a guest of Mussolini), Switzerland (where he meets Romain Rolland)
and other countries of Europe.

1927
Tour of Southeast Asia.

1928
Starts painting regularly.

1930
His paintings are exhibited at the Gallerie Pigalle in Paris. Other exhibitions follow in
Birmingham, in several European capitals and in USA.
Delivers Hibbert lectures in Oxford (published as The Religion of Man).
Writes The Child, his one and only original English poem.

1932
Starts experimenting with vers libre in his Punascha.

1937
Rabindranath falls seriously ill. Prantik (Borderland) poems published. Convocation
address in Bengali.

1940
Oxford University holds special Convocation at Santiniketan to confer
Doctorate on Rabindranath.

1941
His final lecture, Crisis in Civilisation is read on his eightieth birthday.
Dies 7th August.

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 09:55:00 +0000

History of Santiniketan

Santiniketan was previously called Bhubandanga (named after Bhuban Dakat, a local dacoit), and owned by the Tagore family. Rabindranath's father, Maharshi Debendranath Tagore, found it very peaceful and renamed it Santiniketan, which means abode (niketan) of peace (shanti). It was here that Rabindranath Tagore started Patha Bhavan the school of his ideals, whose central premise was that learning in a natural environment would be more enjoyable and fruitful.

Geography of Santiniketan

The weather in Santiniketan is usually a pleasant one although you will come across the normal weather changes during summer, winter and Monsoon. Nonetheless Spring has its own charm in Santiniketan not only because of its natural beauty blooming to its fullest amidst the lush greenery but also due to the famous Vasanta Utsav held to mark the festival of Holi with the onset of Spring.

Hello Shantiniketan

noreply@blogger.com (.) — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 22:34:00 +0000

Shantiniketan