Rabindranath Tagore's Santiniketan Inscribed On UNESCO World Heritage List

Santiniketan, founded in 1901 by the iconic poet and philosopher Rabindranath Tagore, has earned a coveted spot on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The concept of a 'world university' was birthed at Santiniketan in 1921, and it became known as "Visva Bharati," symbolising the unity of humanity. ( Image Source :whc.unesco.org )

Santiniketan, the hallowed grounds in West Bengal where the esteemed poet Rabindranath Tagore established Visva-Bharati more than a century ago, has secured its rightful place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The prestigious accolade was officially announced by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Sunday via its official platform. The decision to include Santiniketan in this illustrious list was formalised during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee, currently convened in Saudi Arabia.

In a social media post on Sunday, UNESCO declared, "New inscription on the @UNESCO #WorldHeritage List: Santiniketan, #India. Congratulations!" This landmark recognition culminates India's longstanding efforts to secure a UNESCO designation for this cultural treasure, nestled in the Birbhum district.

🔴BREAKING!

New inscription on the @UNESCO #WorldHeritage List: Santiniketan, #India 🇮🇳. Congratulations! 👏👏

➡️ https://t.co/69Xvi4BtYv #45WHC pic.twitter.com/6RAVmNGXXq

— UNESCO 🏛️ #Education #Sciences #Culture 🇺🇳 (@UNESCO) September 17, 2023

"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”," the UNESCO World Heritage Convention page reads.

"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," it adds.

West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, expressed her elation and pride at Santiniketan's momentous inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. She remarked, "Biswa Bangla's pride, Santiniketan, was nurtured by the poet and has been supported by the people of Bengal over the generations. We, from the Government of West Bengal, have significantly added to its infrastructure in the last 12 years, and the world now recognizes the glory of this heritage site. Kudos to all who love Bengal, Tagore, and his messages of fraternity. Jai Bangla, Pranam to Gurudev."

Renowned conservation architect, Abha Narain Lambah, who played a pivotal role in crafting the dossier for Santiniketan's UNESCO nomination, expressed her exuberance upon receiving the news, news agency PTI reported.

"We had worked on the dossier in 2009, and maybe the time wasn't right then. But we always believed in the beauty of Santiniketan, and today we feel vindicated seeing it in the UNESCO list," she told PTI. Based in Mumbai, Lambah, whose many works have earned accolades and UNESCO recognition, noted that once the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) had recommended Santiniketan's inclusion, it was almost certain to happen.

A few months ago, this iconic site received a recommendation for UNESCO World Heritage status from ICOMOS, an international advisory body based in France, PTI reported. ICOMOS, the International Council on Monuments and Sites, is an international non-governmental organisation comprising professionals, experts, representatives from local authorities, companies, and heritage organizations. It is dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of architectural and landscape heritage worldwide.

Santiniketan's History: From Ashram To 'Visva Bharati'

Santiniketan, situated approximately 160 kilometers from Kolkata, began as an ashram established by Rabindranath Tagore's father, Debendranath Tagore. It was envisioned as a sanctuary where individuals, regardless of caste or creed, could gather to meditate on the singular Supreme Being. This description is outlined on the official website of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Debendranath Tagore, also known as 'Maharshi,' signifying both a saint and a sage, played a prominent role in the Indian Renaissance.

The UNESCO website recognises two of Maharshi's architectural legacies at Santiniketan — the Santiniketan Griha and the exquisite stained-glass Mandir (temple) designed for non-denominational worship. Both structures, constructed in the latter half of the 19th century, hold historical significance in the founding of Santiniketan and its association with the universal spirit, which marked the resurgence and reinterpretation of religious ideals in Bengal and India.

Today, Visva-Bharati, situated in Santiniketan, stands as one of India's most esteemed universities, offering degree programs spanning humanities, social sciences, science, fine arts, music, performing arts, education, agricultural science, and rural reconstruction.

Founded by Rabindranath Tagore, it was accorded the status of a central university and an institution of national importance through an Act of Parliament in 1951. Visva-Bharati is the sole central university in West Bengal, with the Prime Minister of India serving as its chancellor. This prestigious institution remains a testament to Tagore's vision and legacy, now further solidified by its UNESCO World Heritage status.

With its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Santiniketan joins a distinguished group of Indian sites that have received this prestigious recognition. Some of the other sites that have earned a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List include the stunning Taj Mahal, the historic Red Fort in Delhi, the ancient temples of Khajuraho, the iconic Qutub Minar, and the serene landscapes of the Western Ghats.

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