Santiniketan – Rabindranath Tagore’s Visva-Bharati University

By George On

Santiniketan is a world-famous university founded by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore in the Birbhum district in West Bengal, India. It is known as Visva-Bharati University or Visva Bharati University.

Kala Bhavan (Art Center) at the University Premises

Kala Bhavan (Art Center) at the University Premises

Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s vision played a significant role in shaping the policies of this great University. 

Rabindranath Tagore’s house and the University attract a lot of tourists. Many of his literary works were written sitting at this house.

Santiniketan means abode of peace. The learning style here is in a natural environment, sitting under trees, which makes learning more enjoyable.

Santiniketan, Rabindranath Tagore's Visva-Bharati University , Shilaidaha Kuthibari, the famous residence of Rabindranath Tagore
Shilaidaha Kuthibari, the famous residence of Rabindranath Tagore in Kushtia

Santiniketan was started in 1901 as a school by Rabindranath Tagore. In 1913, Rabindranath Tagore was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. In 1921, the school was upgraded to a University and became a central university in 1951.

The Chancellor of the Visva-Bharati University is the Prime Minister of India. Santiniketan was earlier known as Bhubandanga.

Kala Bhavana, the art college in Shanti Niketan, Visva-Bharati University, is regarded as one of the best art colleges in the world. Vidya Bhavana is a humanities college, and  Shiksha Bhavana is a science institute. Sangit Bhavana is the Music, dance, and drama college, while Vinaya Bhavana is the education division. There are many other divisions; Rabindra Bhavana is the one that caters to  Tagore Studies and Research.

There are two campuses: one at Santiniketan and the other at Sriniketan. Sriniketan campus is for the study of agriculture, adult education, handicrafts, cottage industries, and village welfare.

Amartya Sen,  an Economics Nobel laureate of 1998, was born in Shantiniketan and studied at Shantiniketan. Indira Gandhi,  Former Indian Prime Minister of India, and  Satyajit Ray, a world-renowned film director, were among the most illustrious students of Shantiniketan.

Where is Rabindranath Tagore’s Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan?

Santiniketan is 212 kilometers north of Kolkata city. Roads connect Santiniketan to all parts of the country.

Kolkata (Calcutta) is the nearest airport. Bolpur Shantiniketan railway station is the nearest railway station to Shantiniketan, which is two kilometers away.