2024/04/04
인도 샨티니케탄으로 건너 간 한국의 소리 - 오마이뉴스
인도 샨티니케탄으로 건너 간 한국의 소리
정혜자(mirabohj)등록 2007.02.02 09:42수정 2007.02.02 09:42
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글씨 크게보기원고료로 응원인기기사 더보기
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▲ 비스바바라티 대학 교정에 붙어 있던 공연포스터 ⓒ 임광호재)아시아문화교류재단은 한국과 인도의 문화 교류를 위해 공동 프로젝트를 기획했다. 그 첫 번째 작업으로 인도의 시성 타고르가 세운 학교 샨티니케탄을 방문하여 우리의 음악을 선보이는 공연을 하기로 했다.
지난달 12일 한국시간 새벽 4시에 출발하여 하루를 꼬박 비행기에서 버티고, 현지시각 밤 10시 캘커타에 도착, 잠만 자고 아침에 기차를 타고 이곳, 샨티니케탄에 왔다.
공연장의 상태를 보는 순간 스태프들의 입은 떡 벌어졌지만 어쩔 것인가. 이미 포스터는 샨티니케탄 교정과 비스바바라티 대학 곳곳에 붙었고, 홍보 전단도 2000장이나 뿌려진 것을.
청소를 언제 했는지 모를 정도로 문짝과 창틀, 무대 위에는 먼지가 수북 했다. 천장 구조물 위에 늘어진 거미줄은 바로 전에 '전설따라 삼천리'를 찍은 세트장처럼 보였다.
그래, 우리는 확실히 인도에 왔구나. 관중석 상태도 마찬가지. 한켠에 놓인 간이의자 200여개와 얇은 천이 덮인 시멘트 바닥이 전부였다. 이 공연장의 이름은 나띠야 골(Natya ghal, 춤의 방).
@BRI@현지인과 스태프들이 달려 들어 청소를 하고 한국에서 공수해 온 빔 프로젝트도 여러 시도 끝에 간신히 설치. 음향, 조명도 주어진 여건 속에서 최선을 다했음에도 별반 나아진 것 없는 1960년대식 어설픈 무대 위에서 풍물패 '얼쑤'는 리허설을 시작했다.
공연장의 열어 놓은 문 사이로 현지 인도인들의 호기심 어린 얼굴들이 나타나고 이름모를 새도 날아들었다. 이러다가 공연장으로 소가 들어올 수도 있겠군. 이미 공연장 바깥을 어슬렁거리던 소를 본지라 괜한 노파심도 들었다.
인도 현지 시각으로 13일 저녁 6시. 200미터쯤 떨어진 큰길에서 길놀이를 시작으로 공연이 시작되었다. Ms. Sabuj Koli Sen(타고르 박물관장)의 "타고르 선생님 당시 한국과 인도는 자주권을 상실해 똑같은 정치적 상황에 놓여있었다. 이번 교류를 통해 타고르 선생님이 예언하신대로 한국, 동방의 등불이 환하게 켜지기를 바란다"고 환영의 인사를 전했다. 이어 공연팀 유상호(47·재즈 연주자)의 아리랑 연주가 나띠야 골에 잔잔히 울려 퍼졌다.
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▲ 설장구 공연중인 얼쑤 공연단 ⓒ 임광호그 마지막 가락을 타고 들릴 듯 말 듯 시작된 장구 가락이 서서히 힘과 속도가 더해가며 관객들을 사로잡기 시작했다. 절반이 넘게 비어 있던 의자가 점점 채워졌다. 달고, 내고, 맺고, 푸는 긴장과 이완이 반복되며, 우리의 피속에 흐르는 '신명'이 그들에게 전달된 듯 박수소리가 커지고 휘파람 소리까지 들렸다.
머나먼 이국에서 듣는 사물놀이는 우리네 재즈였고, 우리네 오케스트라였으나 그들을 움직이게 만들고 있었다. 어느새 의자는 꽉 차고 심지어 얇은 천이 깔린 맨 바닥에 나란히 앉기 시작했다. 그 중에는 인도를 관광 온 듯 보이는 금발의 외국인도 보였다.
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▲ 공연을 감상중인 샨티니케탄 학생들 ⓒ 임광호마지막 순서인 판굿. 이 순서에는 12발(약 12m) 상모놀음이 하이라이트다. 머리에 상모를 쓰고 나타난 놀이꾼의 손에서 스르륵 열두발의 끈이 공중에 풀어지자 관중석에서 "와우~!!" 환호성이 터졌다. 그리고 다음 순간 주변이 칠흙같이 어두워졌다.
전기가 나가버린 것이다. 분명 예정에 없었던 사고인데 마치 예정된 퍼포먼스 같은 착각이 들 정도로 이미 관중석은 우리의 '신명'에 빠져있었다. 관중석 여기저기서 핸드폰 불빛과 랜턴 불빛이 보였고 격려의 박수소리가 이어졌다. 인도의 맨 얼굴, 그 입이 열리고 사귀고 싶다는 속삭임을 듣는 순간이었다.
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▲ 샨티니케탄 현지 여학생들, 마두리, 얼쑤의 협연 ⓒ 임광호10분여의 길고 긴 기다림의 시간이 흐르고 다시 조명이 밝혀졌다. 다음 차례는 샨티니케탄 현지 예술팀 '마두리'의 노래와 연주. 타고르의 시에 곡을 붙인 남녀혼성중창이었는데 성가 느낌이 들었다. 샨티니케탄 여학생들의 인도 전통춤이 다음으로 이어졌다.
이국적이지만 화려한 인도 의상과 유연한 몸놀림에 사절단도 박수를 아끼지 않았다. 춤을 추는 무용수들은 샨티니케탄에 유학 중인 한국인 허다솜(16)양과 그녀의 같은 반 친구들이었다. 나중에 다시 만난 다솜양은 "이번 사절단의 공연으로 인해 학교 내에서 한국의 이미지와 위상이 높아져서 본인의 자부심도 굉장해졌다"며 행복한 미소를 지어 보였다.
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▲ 공연이 끝나고 기립 박수를 보내던 현지 주민들 ⓒ 임광호한국 공연단 '얼쑤'와 '마두리'의 협연이 대미를 장식했다. 정전으로 인해 보지 못했던 12발 상모를 보여주자 관중들은 무대 앞으로 몰려들어 박수를 쳤고, 공연이 끝났음에도 한동안 자리를 뜨지 않았다.
광주아시아문화교류재단 이사장 현장스님은 인사말을 통해 "광주는 민주의 성지로서 평화의 마을 샨티니케탄과 많이 닮아있다. 이번 공연이 광주의 민주 정신과 샨티니케탄의 평화정신이 조화롭게 만나 활발한 교류 활동을 펼치는데 촉매제가 되기를 바란다"고 말했다.
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▲ 문화사절단과 현지 공연팀의 기념사진 ⓒ 임광호이번 교류 프로젝트의 기획자 박양희(42·샨티니케탄 출신, 한국 거주)씨는 "우리네 북소리가 쿵쿵 울릴 때마다 그 울림이 바로 인도인의 가슴에 한국이라는 이름으로 각인되기를 희망 한다"고 전했다.
사시사철 커다란 나무그늘 아래서 선생님과 아이들이 수업을 하는 학교, 교정에 온갖 나무들과 동물들이 함께 자유롭게 어우러진 학교, 유치원에서부터 대학까지 함께 하는 마을, 샨티니케탄. 그 평화의 마을에 울려퍼진 우리 소리를 통해 두 나라의 교류가 가능함을 확인했다.
저작권자(c) 오마이뉴스(시민기자), 무단 전재 및 재배포 금지 오탈자 신고
인도 인문학 여행 이야기 8 – 산티니케탄(Santiniketan): 영원한 시성 타고르- 비스바 바라티 대학(Visva- Bharati University ), 타고르 문학(Tagore literature)
Shantiniketan - Wikipedia
Shantiniketan
Shantiniketan Bolpur | |
---|---|
Neighbourhood | |
Coordinates: 23.68°N 87.68°E | |
Country | India |
State | West Bengal |
District | Birbhum |
Elevation | 30 m (100 ft) |
Languages | |
• Official | Bengali, English |
Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
PIN | 731204 (Bolpur) 731235 (Santiniketan) 731236 (Sriniketan) |
Telephone/STD code | +91 03463 |
Lok Sabha constituency | Bolpur |
Vidhan Sabha constituency | Bolpur |
Official name | Santiniketan |
Criteria | Cultural: (iv)(vi) |
Reference | 1375 |
Inscription | 2023 (45th Session) |
Shantiniketan is a neighbourhood of Bolpur town in the Bolpur subdivision of Birbhum district in West Bengal, India, approximately 152 km north of Kolkata. It was established by Maharshi Devendranath Tagore, and later expanded by his son, Rabindranath Tagore whose vision became what is now a university town with the creation of Visva-Bharati.[1]
It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List by the World Heritage Committee in 2023.[2]
History[edit]
In 1863, Debendranath Tagore took on permanent lease 20 acres (81,000 m2) of land, with two chhatim (Alstonia scholaris) trees, at an annual payment of Rs. 5, from Bhuban Mohan Sinha, the talukdar in Raipur, Birbhum. He built a guest house there and named it Shantiniketan (the abode of peace). Gradually, the whole area came to be known as Shantiniketan.[3]
Binoy Ghosh says that Bolpur was a small place in the middle of the 19th century. It grew as Shantiniketan grew. A certain portion of Bolpur was a part of the zamindari of the Sinha family of Raipur. Bhuban Mohan Sinha had developed a small village in the Bolpur area and named it Bhubandanga. It was just opposite Shantiniketan of those days. Bhubandanga was the den of a gang of notorious dacoits, who had no compunction in killing people. It led to a situation of conflict and confrontation, but the leader of the gang, ultimately, surrendered to Debendranath, and they started helping him in developing the area. There was a chhatim tree under which Debendranath used to meditate. Inspired by The Crystal Palace built originally in Hyde Park, London, to house the Great Exhibition of 1851 and later relocated, Debendranath constructed a 60-foot × 30-foot hall for Brahmo prayers. The roof was tiled and the floor had white marble, but the rest of the structure was made of glass. From its earliest days, it was a great attraction for people from all around.[4]
Rabindranath Tagore first visited Shantiniketan on 27 January 1878 when he was 17 years old. In 1888, Debendranath dedicated the entire property for the establishment of a Brahmavidyalaya through a trust deed. In 1901, Rabindranath started a Brahmacharyaashrama and it came to be known as Patha Bhavana from 1925.[4][5] In 1913, Rabindranath Tagore won the Nobel Prize in Literature.[6] It was a new feather in the cap of the Tagore family which was the leading family contributing to the enrichment of life and society in Bengal in many fields of activity over a long period of time.[7] The environment at Jorasanko Thakur Bari, one of the bases of the Tagore family in Kolkata, was filled with literature, music, painting, and theatre.[8] Founded in 1921 by Rabindranath Tagore, Visva Bharati was declared to be a central university and an institute of national importance, in 1951.[9]
Topography[edit]
Location[edit]
Shantiniketan is situated at 23.68°N 87.68°E.[10] at an average elevation of 56 metres (187 feet).
The area is flanked on two sides by the rivers, the Ajay and the Kopai. Santiniketan earlier had an extensive forest cover, but substantial soil erosion gave certain areas a barren look, the resulting phenomenon is locally known as khoai. However, as a result of the consistent efforts by botanists, plants and trees from all over India flourish in parts of the town. Although the overall environment of the surrounding areas have changed with time, the core area of Santiniketan has retained its closeness with nature.[11]
Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the area. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.
In the 2011 census, Santiniketan is not identified as a separate place. In the map of Bolpur-Sriniketan CD block on page 718 of District Census Handbook Birbhum (Part A), the area occupied by Santiniketan is shown as a part of Bolpur municipal area and Sriniketan is shown as a part of Surul, a census town.
Notable places[edit]
As per the Human Development Report for Birbhum in 2009, Santiniketan attracted 1.2 million tourists annually.[12]
Rabindra Bhavana, founded in 1942, just after the death of the poet, is the focal point of Visva Bharati. It has a museum, archives, library and other units. It houses a major part of Rabindranath's manuscripts, correspondence, paintings and sketches, 40,000 volumes of books and 12,000 volumes of bound journals, photographs and numerous items associated with the poet's life. It is generally one of the first points of interest for anybody visiting Santiniketan.[13] It was established by the poet's son, Rathindranath Tagore, as a memorial museum and research centre for Tagore studies.[14]
The Uttarayana Complex, which lies in the northern portion of the town and is located next to Rabindra Bhavana, features a collection of five houses built by Rabindranath – Udayan, Shyamali, Konark, Udichi and Punascha. The gardens in the Uttarayan complex were planned and laid out by Rathindranath. Shyamali and Konark are mud houses. Shyamali was an experiment. The visual perspective was based on the Borobudur style. The entire outside wall was decorated with beautiful relief work by Kala Bhavana students under the guidance of Nandalal Bose. The Santals on either side of the main door and on the eastern corner were by Ramkinkar Baij. Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi stayed in the house as guests. Udayan is the most imposing house in the Uttarayan complex. It is meant for important guests visiting Santiniketan. Each suite in Udayan is on a different level which gives this house its individuality.[15] In 2013, Visva Bharati opened a museum Guha Ghar, in the Uttarayan complex, in memory of Rathindranath Tagore.[16][17]
The Ashram Complex is the oldest area of Santiniketan, where Debendranath built the Santiniketan Griha and the beautiful stained glass prayer hall, in the second half of the 19th century. Patha Bhavana came up after Rabindranath started residing in Santiniketan. It has beautiful frescoes by Nandalal Bose. Natun Bari was built in 1902 for residential purposes. Kalo Bari is a unique structure of mud and coal tar and profusely decorated. There are numerous other houses: Dehali, Santoshalaya, Singha Sadan, Dwijaviram, Dinantika, Taladwaj, Chaitya, Ghantatala, Panthasala, Ratan Kuthi, Malancha and others – each with an interesting story that makes it historically relevant.[15]
Visva Bharati was established as a centre for culture with the objective of exploring the arts, language, humanities, music etc. Specialised institutes came up in different fields: Cheena Bhavana, Hindi Bhavana, Kala Bhavana, Sangit Bhavana, Bhasa Bhavana, Nippon Bhavana, Bangladesh Bhavana and others. Many of these institutes with myriad structures have been decorated by illustrious artists.[15]
"The landscape of Shantiniketan is dotted with sculptures by Ramkinkar Baij (1906–1980), larger-than-life figures of Santals who were in reality part of the landscape. A Santal family, complete with dog, a group of workers running along at the call of the mill, their clothes flying in the air, a thresher, all situated along the main road. When Ramkinkar created Sujata, an elongated figure of one of the disciples of Buddha, he placed it just a little distance from the seated Buddha. Nandalal planted Eucalyptus saplings in the area, knowing that one day these tall trees would be a perfect setting to Ramkinkar's Sujata. It was Nandalal Bose, who created an environment where art would be a part of life and the children of Santiniketan have grown absorbing these beautiful monuments as they have the oxygen in the air."[15]
The Tagore family at Shantiniketan[edit]
She is our own, the darling of our hearts,
Santiniketan.
In the shadows of her trees we meet
in the freedom of her open sky.
Our dreams are rocked in her arms.
Her face is a fresh wonder of love every
time we see her,
for she is our own, the darling of ourhearts.
— Rabindranath Tagore, [18]
Shantiniketan was founded and developed by members of the Tagore family. It was founded by Debendranath Tagore.[3] Rabindranath Tagore wrote many of his literary classics at Santiniketan.[19] His son, Rathindranath Tagore was one of the first five students at the Brahmacharya asrama at Santiniketan.[20] After the death of his father in 1941, Rathindranath took over the burden of all responsibilities at Santiniketan. When Visva Bharati was made a central university in 1951, Rathindranath was appointed its first vice-chancellor.[15][5]
Pratima Devi, Rathindranath's wife, had active links with Visva Bharati from a very young age. She lived in Santinketan till her death in 1969.[21]
Mira Devi, Rabindranath's youngest daughter, after her failed marriage, lived in Malancha built for her in the Ashrama complex in 1926. She died at Santiniketan in 1969. Krishna Kripalani, husband of Nandita (Buri), daughter of Mira Devi, taught at Santiniketan for nearly 15 years, beginning 1933. Krishna Kripalani's biography of Tagore was amongst the best ever written.[22][15]
Dwijendranath Tagore, Rabindranath's eldest brother, spent the last twenty years of his life at Santiniketan.[23] He lived in Dwaijaviram in the Ashrama complex.[15]
Dinendranath Tagore, Dwijendranath's grandson, was principal of Sangit Bhavana in its earliest years.[24] Dinantika, built in 1939, housed the Cha chakra, where staff members of Visva Bharati met over a cup of tea for meetings and relaxation.[15]
Indira Devi Chaudhurani, daughter of Satyendranath Tagore, started living in Santiniketan in 1941 and took charge of Sangit Bhavana. She was acting vice-chancellor for a short period.[25]
Supriyo Tagore, great-grandson of Satyendranath, was a student of Patha Bhavana and Visva Bharati University before going abroad to complete his education. He retired as the longest serving principal of Patha Bhavana. He now runs Sisu Tirtha, an institution for orphans mainly from the economically disadvantaged tribals, near Santiniketan. His son, Sudripta, with wide-ranging experience in the field of education, is also engaged in setting up a school, at Ruppur near Santiniketan, embodying the ideas of Rabindranath.[26][27][28]
Photo gallery[edit]
- Santiniketan Griha
- Santal family by Ramkinkar Baij
- Kalo Bari – the house built with mud and coal tar. Click on the pic to enlarge for a glimpse of the wall decoration.
- Ghantatala – the bell stand
- Upasana Griha at Santiniketan
Climate[edit]
The climate of Shantiniketan is moderately warm, with summer temperatures at around 35-42 °C (maximum) and winter at 10-15 °C (minimum). Summer is felt for three months, March, April and May. December, January and February are the winter months. June, July, August and September see heavy rainfall, these four months are known as monsoon (rainy season). Shantiniketan saw its highest temperature rising 47.0 °C, on 10 June 1966. The lowest temperature ever recorded is 4.9 °C, on 9 January 2013. The annual average temperature is 26.2 °C. About 1480mm of rain falls per year, with 76 days seeing the rain. The area is classified as an "Aw" (tropical savanna climate) under the Köppen Climate Classification.
Climate data for Santiniketan (Sriniketan) (1981–2010, extremes 1961–2012) | |||||||||||||
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Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 33.0 (91.4) | 37.0 (98.6) | 42.0 (107.6) | 45.9 (114.6) | 46.6 (115.9) | 47.0 (116.6) | 41.6 (106.9) | 36.8 (98.2) | 39.1 (102.4) | 37.1 (98.8) | 34.2 (93.6) | 30.7 (87.3) | 47.0 (116.6) |
Mean maximum °C (°F) | 28.7 (83.7) | 32.8 (91.0) | 38.2 (100.8) | 41.3 (106.3) | 41.7 (107.1) | 40.2 (104.4) | 36.2 (97.2) | 34.9 (94.8) | 35.1 (95.2) | 34.3 (93.7) | 32.1 (89.8) | 29.1 (84.4) | 42.3 (108.1) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 24.7 (76.5) | 28.2 (82.8) | 33.4 (92.1) | 36.6 (97.9) | 36.7 (98.1) | 34.9 (94.8) | 32.9 (91.2) | 32.5 (90.5) | 32.4 (90.3) | 31.6 (88.9) | 29.5 (85.1) | 26.1 (79.0) | 31.6 (88.9) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 11.6 (52.9) | 14.7 (58.5) | 19.3 (66.7) | 23.3 (73.9) | 25.0 (77.0) | 26.0 (78.8) | 26.0 (78.8) | 26.0 (78.8) | 25.3 (77.5) | 22.5 (72.5) | 17.3 (63.1) | 13.0 (55.4) | 20.8 (69.4) |
Mean minimum °C (°F) | 7.8 (46.0) | 10.5 (50.9) | 14.6 (58.3) | 19.0 (66.2) | 20.8 (69.4) | 22.7 (72.9) | 23.9 (75.0) | 23.8 (74.8) | 23.1 (73.6) | 18.5 (65.3) | 13.0 (55.4) | 9.4 (48.9) | 7.7 (45.9) |
Record low °C (°F) | 5.0 (41.0) | 6.0 (42.8) | 11.2 (52.2) | 14.6 (58.3) | 18.1 (64.6) | 18.7 (65.7) | 20.0 (68.0) | 22.4 (72.3) | 17.7 (63.9) | 15.6 (60.1) | 9.7 (49.5) | 6.1 (43.0) | 5.0 (41.0) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 11.6 (0.46) | 25.1 (0.99) | 33.2 (1.31) | 52.0 (2.05) | 113.8 (4.48) | 229.7 (9.04) | 343.2 (13.51) | 296.7 (11.68) | 267.5 (10.53) | 87.7 (3.45) | 10.5 (0.41) | 9.0 (0.35) | 1,479.9 (58.26) |
Average rainy days | 1.2 | 1.9 | 2.4 | 3.5 | 6.3 | 11.6 | 15.7 | 15.1 | 11.9 | 4.7 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 75.6 |
Average relative humidity (%) (at 08:30 IST) | 76 | 68 | 61 | 66 | 73 | 80 | 85 | 86 | 86 | 81 | 75 | 75 | 76 |
Source: India Meteorological Department[29][30] |
Transport[edit]
Bolpur Shantiniketan railway station is well connected with Sealdah Railway Station, Howrah Station, Kolkata Railway Station, Malda Town, New Jalpaiguri etc. of West Bengal & Guwahati Railway Station of Assam.
There is direct AC Volvo bus service of WBTC from Kolkata to Bolpur Shantiniketan (Kolkata-Bolpur-Suri & Suri-Bolpur-Kolkata).
Bus and private cars are available from Kolkata (outstation cab service of Ola Cabs, Uber from Kolkata), Durgapur City Centre Bus Stop, Katwa, Berhampore and soon from Santragachi Railway Station in Howrah.
About visva Bharati[edit]
Shantiniketan is a university town with varied educational facilities. At the school level are Patha Bhavana and Siksha Satra. Apart from a number of courses in humanities, science and education, Visva-Bharati offers a range of music, dance and art courses and lays emphasis on language courses. Sangit Bhavana offers courses in Rabindra Sangit, Hindustani classical vocal, sitar, esraj, tabla, pakhawaj, Kathakali dance and Manipuri dance. Kala Bhavana offers courses in painting, mural, sculpture, graphic art, design (textiles/ ceramics) and history of art. The university offers specialised 4-year courses in Persian, Tibetan, Chinese and Japanese. Bhasa Bhavana offers undergraduate and post-graduate courses in Arabic & Persian, Bengali, Chinese, Hindi, Indo-Tibetan, Japanese, Odia, Santali and Sanskrit. Vidya Bhavana offers 1-year courses in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Marathi, Odia, Pali, Persian, Russian, Sanskrit, Santali, Tamil, Tibetan and Urdu. It also offers 2-year courses in Arabic, Assamese, Bengali, Chinese, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Marathi, Odia, Pali, Persian, Russian, Sanskrit, Santali, Tamil, Tibetan and Urdu. There are certificate courses in leather craft, book binding & hand-made packaging, batik work and hand-made paper making. Shantiniketan offers courses in the field of agriculture and rural development. Only a selective list is presented here to give an idea of the range of courses offered.[31][32]
Culture[edit]
The town is known for its literary and artistic heritage, with the notable figures being Rabindranath Tagore and Nandalal Bose. In addition, the Visva Bharati also serves as Shantiniketan's cultural center.[15]
Poush Mela[edit]
In Birbhum district, the fairs (mela in Bengali) are spread right across the district and are thought of as an extension of the concept of markets, a place of not only trade and business but also a meeting place of people and an arena for cultural exchange. The largest and most notable fair is the Poush Mela held at Santiniketan for three days from 7 Poush.[33] Devendranath Tagore with twenty followers accepted the Brahmo creed from Ram Chandra Vidyabagish on 21 December 1843 (7 Poush 1250 according to the Bengali calendar). This was the basis of Poush Utsav (the Festival of Poush) at Santiniketan[34]
Festivals at Shantiniketan[edit]
In Shantiniketan, seasonal changes bring their own colors and beauties with various festivals. The emphasis in organising these festivals is on traditional Indian forms and rituals. Numerous festivals range from Basanta Utsav and Barsha Mangal to Maghotsav and Rabindra Jayanti.[35] Holi, the festival of colours, is celebrated in its own style at Santiniketan – it is called Basanta Utsav and welcomes the arrival of spring. The programme starts from the morning with singing and dancing to Tagore's tunes by the students and ends with spreading coloured powders (called ‘abir’) and expression of festive wishes. After the formal Visva Bharati programme, other programmes follow. Barsha Mangal is celebrated with cultural programmes in July–August. Ananda Bazar is a fair for handicrafts by the students, held on Mahalaya day. Prior to leaving for the puja vacations students celebrate Sharad Utsav. Nandan Mela marks Nandalal Bose's birth anniversary (on 1–2 December) and is a special attraction for art lovers. Briksharopan and Halkarshan emphasise man's closeness to nature and are held on 22-23 Shraavana (August). Maghotsab, celebrating the founding of the Brahmo Samaj, is held on 11 Magh (towards the end of January). Various anniversaries and cultural programmes are organised throughout the year. 25 Baisakh (7-8 May) is the birthday of Rabindranath Tagore but his birth anniversary is celebrated along with and subsequent to the Bengali New Year (mid April onwards).[35]
Sinha Sadan[edit]
Shantiniketan was originally a part of the ancestral zamindari of the Sinha family of Raipur, Birbhum.[3] Satyendra Prasanna Sinha, 1st Baron Sinha donated for the construction of Sinha Sadan with a clock tower and bell. It was in this building that Oxford University conferred its honorary doctorate on the poet, Rabindranath Tagore.[15]
- Sinha Sadan
- Doorway, Sinha Sadan
Ballabhpur Wildlife Sanctuary[edit]
Ballabhpur Wildlife Sanctuary is located 3 km from Shantiniketan and is popular as Deer Park. Established in 1977, it was a khoai area affected by soil erosion. It is now a large wooded area with herds of deer and makes a natural bird sanctuary.[36]
Amar Kutir[edit]
Amar Kutir (meaning: my cottage), once a place of refuge for independence movement activists has been turned into a cooperative society for the promotion of arts and crafts. It is located on the banks of the Kopai River, about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from the central areas of Santiniketan.[37]
Sonajhuri haat[edit]
Every Saturday and Sunday, one can visit the haat (or market) at Sonajhuri, close to Shantiniketan. This is a village market and one can buy local handicrafts and listen to folk music sung by tribal groups . Sonajhuri haat is a great place to see and collect wooden crafts, terracotta crafts, raw metal ornaments, dhokra art and local made clothes. It is an excellent place to experience the local culture of Shantiniketan.[citation needed]
Around Santiniketan picture gallery[edit]
- Khoai at Santiniketan
- Baul performance at Sonajhuri Saturday haat
- Local village hndicrafts and other items at Sonajhuri Saturday haat
- Some Amar Kutir products on display
References[edit]
- ^ Pearson, WW.: Santiniketan Bolpur School of Rabindranath Tagore, illustrations by Mukul Dey, The Macmillan Company, 1916
- ^ "Santiniketan". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 20 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c Basak, Tapan Kumar, Rabindranath-Santiniketan-Sriniketan (An Introduction), p. 2, B.B.Publication
- ^ Jump up to:a b Ghosh, Binoy, Paschim Banger Sanskriti. It has now been listed in UNESCO in 2023. (in Bengali), part I, 1976 edition, pages 299-304, Prakash Bhaban, Kolkata
- ^ Jump up to:a b "Visva Bharati". History. Visva Bharati. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
- ^ Hjärne, H. (1913), The Nobel Prize in Literature 1913: Rabindranath Tagore—Award Ceremony Speech, Nobel Foundation (published 10 December 1913), retrieved 25 July 2019
- ^ Deb, Chitra, Jorasanko and the Thakur Family, Pages 64-65, in Calcutta: The Living City, Volume I, edited by Sukanta Chaudhuri, Oxford University Press.
- ^ Jorasanko and the Thakur Family by Chitra Deb in Calcutta, the Living City, edited by Sukanta Chaudhuri, Vol I, page 66
- ^ "Visva Bharati". About Visva-Bharati. Visva Bharati. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
- ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Santiniketan
- ^ "Santiniketan".
- ^ "District Human Development Report: Birbhum, Chapter IV: Economic Opportunities and Security of Livelihood". Page 100: Tourism. Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal, 2009. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
- ^ "Visva Bharati". Rabindra Bhavana. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
- ^ "Visva Bharati complex, Ravindra Bhavana". Campus Map. Visva Bharati. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
- ^ Jump up to:a b c d e f g h i j "Santiniketan". UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
- ^ "Museum and book in memory of Rathindranath Tagore, son of Rabindranath Tagore". Jagran Josh, 1 July 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
- ^ "Museum for 'unsung' Tagore son". The Telegraph. 1 April 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
- ^ "Exploring Tagore's Santiniketan, an abode of Learning Unlike Any in the world". Travel Tales. The Better India. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
- ^ "Tagore's Santiniketan". Tagore’s idea of education. Grade Stak. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
- ^ "Rathindranath Tagore". www.visvabharati.ac.in. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
- ^ "Pratima Devi (1893-1969)". Visva-Bharati. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
- ^ "Marriage of Nandita (daughter of Mira), grand daughter of Rabindranath". Smarak Grantha. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
- ^ Dutta, Hirendranath, Santiniketaner Ek Jug, (in Bengali), pp27-32, Viswa Bharati Granthan Vighag, ISBN 81-7522-329-4.
- ^ "Dinendranath Tagore". Visva Bharati. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
- ^ "Indiradevi Choudhrani". Visva-Bharati. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
- ^ Mukherjee Pandey, Jhimli. "Being Rabindranath Tagore". The Times of India, 1 June 203. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
- ^ "At Home With Tagore". Outlook, 2 October 2006. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
- ^ "Another Tagore Legacy". Pune Mirror, 20 May 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
- ^ "Station: Shantiniketan, Climatological Table 1981–2010" (PDF). Climatological Normals 1981–2010. India Meteorological Department. January 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ "Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. December 2016. p. M240. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ "Visva Bharat". Bachelor Degree. Visva Bharati. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
- ^ "Visva Bharat". Syllabus for Post Graduate courses. Visva Bharati. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
- ^ Mukhopadhyay, Aditya, Birbhumer Mela, Paschim Banga, Birbhum Special Issue, pp. 203–214, (in Bengali), February 2006, Information and Culture Dept., Government of West Bengal
- ^ Basak, Tapan Kumar, Rabindranath-Santiniketan-Sriniketan (An Introduction), p. 36, B.B.Publication
- ^ Jump up to:a b "Welcome to Bolpur Santiniketan". Bolpur-Santiketan.com. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
- ^ "Ballabhpur Wildlife Sanctuary (Deer Park)". Bolpur-Santiniketan.com. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
- ^ "Amar Kutir". india9.com. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
Further reading[edit]
- UNESCO: Santiniketan (on the Tentative List since 2010)
- Places to visit in Santiniketan 2019 Archived 28 April 2019 at the Wayback Machine