New UNESCO World Heritage Site In India: Santiniketan, The Enchanting Town Of Rabindranath Tagore

Santiniketan, where Rabindranath Tagore built Visva-Bharati over a century ago with the vision of a place of learning that transcends religious and regional boundaries, was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site on Sunday.

Santiniketan/ X

With 42 sites, India now has the sixth largest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites worldwide. The countries with 42 or more world heritage sites are Italy, Spain, Germany, China and France, UNESCO said.

Who gives the UNESCO World Heritage tag?

The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) decided to tag Santiniketan as a UNESCO World Heritage site in its 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh - the committee's first meeting since the pandemic in 2020.

ICOMOS is a professional association that works for the conservation and protection of cultural heritage places around the world. ICOMOS offers advice to UNESCO on World Heritage Sites.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations that promotes world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture.

How is the UNESCO World Heritage tag chosen?

To be deemed a World Heritage site, the location must be of Outstanding Universal Value, demonstrating international significance; it must "transcend national boundaries and be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity". (Operational Guidelines 2012).

Each state party of UNESCO makes a "Tentative List"¡ªessentially taking stock of any sites within its territory demonstrating natural and cultural importance.

Once the list is submitted, the Advisory Bodies must approve it before sending it to the World Heritage Committee.

This Committee meets once per year and determines which sites meet the Outstanding Universal Value criteria necessary for Inscription. It can reject or defer a decision and remove spots from the list if they no longer meet the mandatory criteria.

What is Santiniketan?

Santiniketan was established as a residential school and centre for art based on ancient Indian traditions and as a centre of learning and cultural exchange.

Distinct from the prevailing British colonial architectural orientations of the early 20th century and European modernism, Santiniketan represents approaches toward pan-Asian modernity, drawing on ancient, medieval and folk traditions from across the region.

When and where was Santiniketan established?

Santiniketan was established in rural West Bengal in 1901 by renowned poet and philosopher Rabindranath Tagore.

Rabindranath Tagore/ Santiniketan.com

A town in West Bengal, Santiniketan initially began as Shantiniketan Ashram, a meditation centre founded and endowed in 1863 by Maharishi Debendranath, the father of Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore.

Rabindranath Tagore later established a Brahmo Vidyalaya (school) and, in 1901, another open-air laboratory school.

By 1921, the latter had expanded into Vishva-Bharati University or a 'world university', a residential school and centre for art based on ancient Indian traditions.

Vishva-Bharati University subsequently became a Central University and an Institution of National Importance in 1951 and is now one of the most prestigious universities in India.

What relevance does Santiniketan hold today?

Santiniketan became a hub of cultural and intellectual activity, attracting scholars and artists from around the world. It became known for its natural beauty, lush green forests, fields, and peaceful, serene atmosphere.

Santiniketan - The enchanting town of Tagore/ santiniketan.com

Today, while Santiniketan continues to be a centre of learning and cultural exchange, it has also become a popular tourist destination, with its many cultural institutions, beautiful natural surroundings, and rich history.

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