Shantiniketan or Santiniketan – the university town immediately brings out an image of Rabindranath Tagore writing from this quaint town. It has been on my wishlist for a long time. I had goosebumps when I got down at the Bolpur station – something that I experience every time I finally manage to be.
History of Shantiniketan
Shantiniketan was set up by Maharishi Devendranath Tagore sometime around the 1860s. The land always belonged to the Tagore family but it was probably inhabited by dacoits. It was even named after one of them – Bhuban Dakat. Devendranath while passing by this landscape was enticed by the beauty of the red soil and the Chhatim trees. He decided to build himself a house here and called it Shantiniketan. Little did he know that the name would become a cultural icon one day. Over a period of time, the whole place would take the same name. Literally, it means the abode of peace.
This home took the form of an Ashram that was open to people who wanted to come and meditate or pursue their spiritual quests. It played an important role in the Brahmo Samaj movement of Bengal.
Devendranath’s son Rabindranath Tagore started Patha Bhavan – a small school with just 5 students. His idea was of learning in the natural environment rather than in an artificial classroom. The system came to be known as the Ashram system. I think it is a good blend of the ancient Guru-Shishya system and the modern classroom system. Even today you can see the classes being held under the giant trees.
This school would later grow into the Viswa Bharti University.
Things to See at Shantiniketan
You can do most of the places to see in a day. Here is a brief guide to things to see there.
Rabindra Bhaban Museum or Tagore Museum
Housed in one of the many houses in the Uttarayan complex, this is a small but interesting museum. The whole of the museum is all about Tagore. The biggest attraction of this museum – the noble prize medallion of Tagore was stolen a few years back. This has made the staff extra vigilant. I was surprised at the number of people posted in the museum – probably more than the visitors at any point in time.
The museum tour begins with the Tagore family genealogy. Family’s personal items on display like – utensils, combs, pooja articles, and medicine boxes. There are collectibles like gifts received from China, French & Japanese porcelain, and Roman vases. There are personal artifacts of Tagore like his paintbrushes and colors.
The passport of Tagore in the form of a letter is intriguing. Wonder when they started the booklets we have now.
There are various portraits. The one I remember most clearly is the portrait of Tagore himself while painting. There is documentation of his meetings with Gandhi, Einstein, Freud, Bernard Shaw, Hellen Keller, Bose, Nehru & many other stalwarts of the era. There are many letters on display.
Everything written only in Bengali turned out to be my barrier at the museum and in the rest of the Uttarayan complex. I wish there was at least an English or a Hindi Translation.
Photography is strictly prohibited.
Uttarayan Complex
This is a complex of various houses built by the Tagore family. They are named Udayana, Konark, Shyamali, Punascha, and Udichi. On the face of it, houses look simple in their pale yellow and white exteriors with red floors. However, the displays there make them special. There is a printing machine outside one house. A garage has the car owned by Rabindranath Tagore. Some houses have exquisite wood-carved panels. Others have a well-laid-out Diwan with tasteful upholstery.
Gardens have sculptures and plants competing for your attention.
There is an open portico called Mrinmoyee.
A big Banyan tree with its uncountable branches looms large. I looked at the tree and it said – you know I have seen this place since the time it was a mere hut.
The famous sculpture of a Santhal family stands on one of the grounds.
There are artworks on display in the compounds and in the open spaces between the houses. I would later discover that art is very much a part of the culture. Wherever you stand in the town, you just cannot miss an artwork around. Some of them belong to illustrious names like Nand Lal Bose but most of them are students of the institution.
Walk around the Viswa Bharti, Shantiniketan
We started this tour from Brahma Mandir or the Upasana Griha. Behind the gate is a marble plaque with a Sanskrit verse.
In the middle of a garden stands an ornate glasshouse, the kind you see in most gardens left behind by the British. This is in fact, the Brahma Mandir. It opens on specific dates and is closed most of the days of the year.
A little walk inside from here, we met the open-air classrooms. Low circular benches surround the old trees. A bell hangs on a red frame that looks like the simplified arches of Sanchi Stupa.
Paintings
The university buildings, though simple still carry the distinct markers of Indian and Indo-Islamic architecture. Our guide pointed out to the girl’s hostel where Indira Gandhi lived for some time. Some of the buildings have exquisite paintings. Some of the original paintings that were done by prominent artists of the time are still preserved.
It is the design school of Viswa Bharti that blew my mind. The building in black with murals in white can take your breath away. Another building next to it has relief sculptures in black again.
To add to the aura, current students of the university were busy creating their own works of art. I chatted with a few of them and it was wonderful to see creativity all around inspiring more creativity.
A silk shade building had verses in Bengali written all over it. How I wish I could read Bengali, then.
Sculptures replicating some of the scenes from Ellora adorned another wall.
Small huts are given a makeover by the student artists. I loved the one that had colorful mirrorwork on it.
Aura of Tagore
Walking around the campus is like walking in a country called India 100 years ago. You almost feel that Tagore is going to walk out of one of his houses, or maybe one of the schools, and talk to you. He does speak to you from every corner of the space he created.
In the month of May, the yellow laburnums were adding a golden color to the campus, making it look bright and shiny.
Come to think of it how many spaces can claim that they have been designed by a poet and a thinker?
Srijini Shilpagram
A few km away from Viswa Bharti is this art village that celebrates the tribal heritage of India. There are tribal murals and other artworks on display from most tribal regions of India.
I will probably do another post on the wall murals of Srijini Shilpagram.
You can spend 1-2 hours here depending on your interest in tribal art, particularly wall murals.
I guess this is a space that is still work-in-progress.
Amar Kutir
Amar Kutir is a handicraft shop where you can buy handmade artifacts of the place. Good items to buy include garments, linen, Dhokra art, coconut shell jewelry & leather work.
Music of Bauls at Shantiniketan
The region of Bengal where Shantiniketan falls is known for Baul singers. We were lucky to meet a Baul singer near Amar Kuti singing under a tree. Listen to him singing Tagore’s song – Ekla Chalo Re
I was so inspired by him that I wrote a full post in Ekla Chalo Re…
Travel tips
Shantiniketan is well connected by rail and road with Kolkata. Bolpur is the station to reach, which is hardly any distance from the town. In fact, at Bolpur station itself, you see the first glimpse of the town.
We stayed at West Bengal Tourism Lodge in the town – it is at a walkable distance from most places. Battery-operated rickshaws or Tuk-Tuks are available everywhere.
Recommend you read the following travel blog on places to visit in Bengal.
Cooch Behar – Places to see in Royal City
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway – A Living Dream
The Tuk Tuks are called Toto(cousin of auto) precisely. The area was known as “Bhuban Danga” not any Bhuban Dakat.
Thanks for adding the details. I now remember the rickshaws being called ToTos – I think I confused with the Tuk Tuk. For Bhuban Danga – can you please share a reference.
There is still neighborhoods named as Bhuban Danga. Regarding the very person named Bhuban Dakat, there may not be 100% true authentic info available as Bengal in early days of British occupation(1700-1850) were frequented by dacoits/thuggees, some of them were so influential that became myth(semi truth). These dacoits/rebels had often huge popularity as well among the downtrodden due to their benevolent work for the poor by plundering the rich,cruel Jamidars(Feudal Lords)/East India Company(Robin Hoods of Bengal). Bhuban Dakat might be one of such half myth half truth characters, who used to operate under many pseudo identities. I may not be 100% correct, but people with access to archives can put more detailed insight on this.
Thank you Amitava for adding this precious information to the post.
Shantiniketan is the place where we really want to visit and after reading your blog our excitement to visit here has increased much more. Amazing blog. Thank you for sharing this with us.
You should visit Shanti Niketan and spend some time there. It is how learning places should be.
Hi Anuradha,
Great article on Shantiniketan. I went there on last basanta utsav though reading your article now. We missed design school. But next time we won’t miss anything you wrote about.
You can cover Basanta Utsav and Poush Mela here. As these are two big festivals and thousands of people each year come to Shantiniketan to celebrate.
Sourav – glad we have given you another reason to visit Shanti Niketan. I also want to attend both Basant Utsav and Poush Mela – hopefully some day soon.