Santiniketan Becomes India's 41st World Heritage Site | 18 Sep 2023

Source: TH

Why In News?

Recently, Santiniketan, which is a town located in Birbhum district of West Bengal, was included in the UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

• The efforts to have Santiniketan recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site have been ongoing since 2010. Santiniketan has been recognized by UNESCO as India's 41^st World Heritage Site.

Why is Santiniketan Well Known?

• Historical Significance: In 1862, Rabindranath Tagore's father, Debendranath Tagore, spotted this scenic landscape and decided to establish an ashram, building a house called Santiniketan, meaning "abode of peace".
• Name Change: The area, originally called Bhubadanga, was renamed Santiniketan by Debendranath Tagore due to its conducive environment for meditation.
• Educational Legacy: In 1901, Rabindranath Tagore chose a significant portion of land and established a school based on the Brahmachary Ashram model. This school later evolved into Visva Bharati University.
• UNESCO World Heritage Site: The Ministry of Culture proposed Santiniketan for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List, emphasising its importance in human values, architecture, arts, town planning, and landscape design.
• Archaeological Preservation: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has been involved in the restoration of several structures in Santiniketan, preserving its historical and cultural heritage.

Who was Rabindranath Tagore?

• Early Life:
  • Rabindranath Tagore was born on May 7, 1861, in Calcutta, India, into a prominent Bengali family. He was the youngest of thirteen children.
  • Tagore was a polymath and excelled in various fields. He was not only a poet but also a philosopher, musician, playwright, painter, educator, and social reformer.
• Nobel Laureate:
  • In 1913, Rabindranath Tagore became the first Asian to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his collection of poems titled "Gitanjali" (Song Offerings).
• Knighthood:
  • Rabindranath Tagore was awarded with Knighthood for Services to Literature by King George V in 1915.
  • Tagore renounced his title of Knighthood after the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
• Composer of National Anthems:
  • He wrote the national anthems of two countries, "Jana Gana Mana" (the Indian national anthem) and "Amar Shonar Bangla" (the Bangladesh national anthem).
• Literary Works:
  • His literary works include poems, short stories, novels, essays, and plays. Some of his notable works include "The Home and the World," "Gora," Gitanjali, Ghare-Baire, Gora, Manasi, Balaka, Sonar Tori, and "Kabuliwala."
  • He is also remembered for his song ‘Ekla Chalo Re’.
• Social Reformer:
  • He was an advocate for social reform, promoting ideas of unity, harmony, and tolerance. He criticised British colonial rule and worked for Indian independence.
• Tagore's Philosophy:
  • His philosophy emphasised the importance of humanism, spirituality, and the connection between nature and humanity.
• Literary Style:
  • Tagore's writing style was marked by its lyrical and philosophical qualities, often exploring themes of love, nature, and spirituality.
• Death:
  • He passed away on August 7, 1941, leaving behind a rich legacy of literature and a lasting impact on Indian and world culture.