Santiniketan
Santiniketan is a small town near Bolpur in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, India, approximately 180 kilometres north of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta). It was made famous by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, whose vision became what is now a university town (Visa-Bharati University) that attracts thousands of visitors each year. Santiniketan is also a tourist attraction because Rabindranath wrote many of his literary classics here, and his house is a place of historical importance.
History :
Santiniketan was previously called Bhubandanga (named after Bhuban Sinha). This area was gifted from the Sinha family (family of Lord SP Sinha) to the Thagore family. Rabindranath's father, Maharshi Debendranath Tagore, found it very peaceful and renamed it Santiniketan, which means abode (niketan) of peace (shanti). It was here that Rabindranath Tagore started Patha Bhavana, the school of his ideals, whose central premise was that learning in a natural environment would be more enjoyable and fruitful. After he received the Nobel Prize (1913), the school was expanded into a university in 1921. By 1951, it had become one of India's central universities. Many world famous teachers came to be associated with it, including C.F. Andrews and Alex Aronson. Some of its illustrious students are Gayatri Devi,Indira Gandhi, Satyjit Ray, Abdul Ghani Khan and Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen.
Rabindranath Tagore with Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi at Santiniketan in 1940
Kala Bhavana, the art college of Santiniketan, is still considered one of the best art colleges in the world. Other institutions here include Vidya Bhavana; the Institute of Humanities, Shiksha Bhavana; the Institute of Science, Sangit Bhavana; Institute of Dance, Drama and Music, Vinaya Bhavana; Institute of Education, Rabindra Bhavana, Institute of Tagore Studies and Research, Palli-Samgathana Vibhaga; Institute of Rural Reconstruction, and Palli Shiksha Bhavana; Institute of Agricultural Sciences. There are also other centres, affiliated to major institutions such as Nippon Bhavana, the Indira Gandhi Centre for National Integration, Rural Extension Centre, Silpa Sadana; Centre for Rural Craft, Technology and Design, Palli-Charcha Kendra; Centre for Social Studies and Rural Development, Centre for Biotechnology, Centre for Mathematics Education, Centre for Environmental Studies, Computer Centre and Indira Gandhi Centre for National Integration. As well as Patha-Bhavana, there are two schools for kindergarten level education; Mrinalini Ananda Pathsala, Santosh Pathsala; a school for primary and secondary education known as Shiksha Satra, and a school of higher secondary education known as Uttar-Shiksha Sadana.
Santiniketan is also home to Amartya Sen, the 1998 Nobel Prize winner in Economics.
Geography
Santiniketan is located at 23.68°N 87.68°E. It has an average elevation of 56 metres (187 feet).
Climate
Temperature (deg C) : Summer- Max.39.4, Min.34.3; Winter- Max.15.7, Min.12.1.
Rainfall : 125 cms ( June to September ). Heavy in JulyAugust.
The weather in Santiniketan is usually a pleasant one although you will come across the normal weather changes during summer, winter and Monsoon. Nonetheless Spring has its own charm in Santiniketan not only because of its natural beauty blooming to its fullest amidst the lush greenery but also due to the famous Vasanta Utsav held to mark the festival of Holi with the onset of Spring.
Shantiniketan can be visited at any time of the year. The climate is moderately warm, like Kolkata, with summer temperatures at around 34-38°C and winter at 12-15°C. July and August see heavy rainfall.
Major events
Numerous social and cultural events taking place throughout the year, have become part and parcel of Santiniketan.These include - Basanta Utsav, Barsha Mangal, Sharodutsav, Nandan Mela, Poush Mela, Magh Mela, Rabindra Jayanti to name a few. Of these, the Poush Mela deserves special mention, this being a major tourist attraction.It is a 3-day fair (Bengali, mela means a fair ),starting on the seventh day of the Bengali month Poush(usually, last week of December).It fetches not just tourists, but also artisans, folk singers, dancers, and the traditional Baul from the neighbourhood.
Recent developments
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Santiniketan has changed considerably since the days of Tagore. Although Visva-Bharati University still plays an active role, Santiniketan has become a haven for India's nouveau riche: large houses have been built on what used to be barren khoai (desert) and condominiums are becoming commonplace. But travel beyond the outskirts of the ever-expanding "small town" and one is soon back in village India.
Attractions
Prayer Hall in Santiniketan
- Prayer Hall
Upasana Griha : A prayer hall, made of several colored Belgium glasses with marble steps on all the four sides by the poet's father in 1863. During evening service, candle is lit around the prayer hall, and it wears a magnificent look in flickering light. Prayers are held on Wednesday.
- Dehali
Dehali : Rabindranath used to live with his wife Mrinalini Devi in this two storied building.
- China Bhavana
China Bhavana : A centre for Chinese studies. Natir Puja, a dance drama of Tagore is painted on its wall under the guidance of Nandalal Bose, pioneering Indian artist.
- Black House
Black House : A mud building known for its relief works done by stalwarts like Ram Kinkar and Prabhas Sen. Usually the final year student of Visva Bharati stay here.
- Santiniketan Griha
Santiniketan Griha: The oldest building of Santiniketan.
- Kala Bhavan
Kala Bhavan : The College of Fine Arts & Crafts has a museum exhibiting sculptures, frescoes & murals and a library of art books.
- Uttarayan Complex
Uttarayan Complex : The poet lived and worked in the Northern Complex consisting of several buildings as : Udayana, Konarka, Shyamali, Punascha and Udichi. The Bichitra ( or, Rabindra Bhavan ) designed by the poet's son Rathindranath Tagore.
- Bichitra
Bichitra : Also called Rabindra Bhavan, a Research Centre and Museum where the poet's personal belongings, paintings & various editions of his works are exhibited.
- Sangeet Bhavan
Sangeet Bhavan : College of Dance and Music. The University is replete with works on Art, Music and the Humanities.
- Chhatimtala
Chhatimtala : Here Maharshi Devendranath, the father of Rabindranath Tagore, used to meditate. Prayers are held usually at Convocation time. Successful graduates of the Vishwa Bharati University are presented a branch of five leaves each from the Saptaparni trees which abound in the area.
- Kankalitala
Kankalitala: On the bank of the river Kopai is Knankalitala, one of the sacred Satipithas. A temple there.
- Gardens and Parks at Shantiniketan
Deer Park
Deer Park : Near Sriniketan, 3 km from Shantiniketan. Originally, the area was a fast eroding `Khowai'. It is now a large wooded area with herds of deer and makes a natural bird sanctuary.
- Shantiniketan Shopping
Grameen (Bolpur), Sarvodaya Ashram (Bolpur), (Handicrafts & handlooms) Vishwa Bharati Shilpa Sadan (Shantiniketan), Shantiniketan Cooperative Stores (Shantiniketan).
- Famous To Eat at Shantiniketan
The food here is Bengali, one must try the fish curry, brinjal curry because the bengalis here are famous for their fish curry.
- Shantiniketan Distance(s)
- Fullora (40 km)
- Nalhati (104 km)
- Kankalitala (7 km)
- Bakreshwar (58 km)
- Massanjore (78 km)
- Kendubilwa (42 km)
- Nanoor (23 km)
- Tarapith (80 km)
Hindi Bhavana:Department of Hindi Language.There is a very important wall mural called Medieval Saints made by Binode Behari Mukherjee in the main hall.
Faculties, Departments & Colleges
Vidya Bhavana
A.I. H. C. & A
Arabic, Persian, Urdu & Islamic Studies
Bengali
Chinese Language & Culture
Economics & Politics
English & OMEL
Geography
Hindi / Marathi
History
Indo-Tibetan Studies
Japanese
Oriya
Philosophy & Religion
Sanskrit, Pali & Prakrit
Vinaya Bhavana
Education
Physical Education
Uttar Siksha Sadana
Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Science)
Botany
Chemistry
Computer Science
Environmental Studies
Mathematics
Physics
Statistics
Department of Zoology
Sangit Bhavana
Classical Music
Rabindra Music, Dance and Drama
Patha Bhavana
Palli-Siksha Vibhaga
Palli Charcha Kendra
Siksha-Satra
Silpa-Sadana
Social Work
Music Unit
Palli-Siksha Bhavana
ASEPAN
CIHAB
Plant Protection
Agril.E.E.S
Kala Bhavana
Design
Graphics Art
History of Art
Painting
Sculpture
Courses, Admission & Eligibility
Certificate Courses
Information on various Certificate Programs offered by the Institution
Diploma Courses
Information on various Diploma-level Programs offered by the Institution
Under Graduate Degree Courses
Information on various Under Graduate Degree Programs (generally of 2/3/4 years duration) offered by the Institution
Post Graduate Diploma Courses
Information on various Post Graduate Diploma Programs offered by the Institution
Post Graduate Degree Courses
Information on various Post Graduate Programs (such as MA, MSc, MBA, MD etc.) offered by the Institution
Advanced Post Graduate Diploma Courses
Information on various Advanced Post Graduate Diploma Programs offered by the Institution
Research / Doctoral-level Courses
Information on various Research Programs (such as M.Phil and PhD) offered by the Institution
BRIDGE COURSE
Kala Bhavana (Institute of Fine Arts)
Duration
1 year
Subject
Art History
Eligibility criteria
Under graduates from other than Fine Arts discipline with 60% marks
in Honours subject.
FOREIGN CASUAL COURSE
Vidya Bhavana (Institute of Humanities and Social Science)
Duration
1 year
Subjects
|| A survey of Indian History & Culture || Indian Classics ||
|| Modern Indian Culture with special reference to Tagore and Gandhi ||
|| Indian Philosophy || Ancient Indian History & Culture ||
|| Bengali/ Hindi/ Oriya/ Tibetan Language & Literature ||
|| Sanskrit Language & Literature || Rabindra Literature ||
|| Indian Art (Theory & Practice) || Indian Dance (Manipuri/ Kathakali) ||
|| Indian Music (Tagore Songs/ Hindusthani Classical Music (Vocal)/
Hindusthani Classical Music (Instrumental) - Esraj and Sitar ||
Eligibility criteria
Passed H.S. (10+2) or its equivalent examination. Admission to this course
is restricted to foreigners joining the university as casual students
Kala Bhavana (Institute of Fine Arts)
Duration
1 year
Subjects
|| Painting || Sculpture || Graphic || Design ||
Eligibility criteria
Selection to be done on the basis of specimen of original works
PRE-DEGREE COURSE (10+2 level)
Uttar Siksha Sadan
Duration
2 year
Subjects
Under Humanities Stream
Mathematics/ Ancient Indian and World History/ Philosophy
Statistics/ Political Science/ Psychology/ Rabindra Sangeet/ Sitar/ Painiting
Economics / History/ Manipuri Dance/ Hindustani Classical Music
(Vocal) /Tabla / Esraj
Geography / Elective Bengali/ Elective English/ Elective Hindi/ Sanskrit/
Japanese/ Russian
Under Science Stream
|| Physics || Chemistry || Mathematics ||
|| Life Science (Biology) / Statistics ||
Eligibility Criteria
Humanities Stream with Geography combination
50% marks in aggregate and 50% marks in Geography
Humanities Stream with Economics combination
50% marks in aggregate and 50% marks in Mathematics
(compulsory or additional)
50% marks in aggregate and 50% marks in additional Economics
55% marks in aggregate and 45% marks in Mathematics Science Stream 60% marks in
aggregate and 60% marks in Mathematics (Compulsory or Additional)
Humanities Stream with Mathematics/Statistics combination
50% marks in aggregate and 50% marks in Mathematics
Humanities Stream with Others combination
45% marks in aggregate
Visva Bharati University - Admission Notification for admission into various courses of the University for the academic session 2008-2009
Last date of issue of admission kits by designated branches of UBI is June 30, 2008
Applications on prescribed form are invited for admission to the following courses of the University for the academic session 2008-2009.
VIDYA-BHAVANA (INSTITUTE OF HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES)
1. Two year M.A. Courses in Sanskrit; Bengali; English; Hindi; Oriya; Indo-Tibetan Studies; Chinese; Philosophy; Comparative Religion; Economics; History; Persian; Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology; Geography; Japanese; Mathematics; Journalism & Mass Communication.
2. Two year M.A. Course in Functional Hindi (Translation).
3. Two year M.Phil. Courses in AIHC&A, Economics, English, History and Oriya.
4. Three year B.A. (Honours) Courses in Sanskrit; Bengali; English; Hindi; Oriya; Philosophy; Comparative Religion; Economics; History; Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology; Geography; Persian; Tibetan; Japanese; Mathematics.
5. Four year B.A.(Honours) Courses in Persian (Preparatory); Tibetan (Preparatory); Chinese; Japanese (Preparatory).
6. Three year B.A. Course in Functional Hindi (Vocational).
SIKSHA-BHAVANA (INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE)
1. Two year M.Sc. Courses in Physics; Chemistry; Mathematics; Zoology; Botany; Statistics; Environmental Science; Computer Science.
2. Three year B.Sc.(Honours) Courses in Physics; Chemistry; Mathematics; Zoology; Botany; Statistics; Computer Science.
SANGIT-BHAVANA (INSTITUTE OF MUSIC, DANCE & DRAMA)
1. Two year M.Mus. Courses in Rabindra Sangit; Hindusthani Classical Music (Vocal); Hindusthani Classical Music :Instrumental (Sitar/ Esraj /Tabla / Pakhawaj); Kathakali and Manipuri Dance.
2. Three year B.Mus.(Hons.) Courses in Rabindra Sangit; Hindusthani Classical Music (Vocal); Hindusthani Classical Music : Instrumental (Sitar/Esraj/Tabla/Pakhawaj); Kathakali Dance; Manipuri Dance; Drama and Theatre Arts.
KALA-BHAVANA (INSTITUTE OF FINE ARTS)
1. Two year M.Fine Arts (MFA)/ Advanced Diploma Courses in Painting; Mural; Sculpture; Graphic Art (Print Making); Design (Textile); Design (Ceramic); History of Art (only for M.F.A.).
2. Four year B.Fine Arts (Honours) (B.F.A)/ Diploma Courses in Painting; Sculpture; Graphic Art (Print Making); Design (Textile); Design (Ceramic); History of Art [only for B.F.A.(Hons.)].
3. Two year Certificate Course in Design.
4. Bridge Course (leading to M.F.A.) in History of Art Course (three year [one year Bridge course + two year regular course]) for students from other than Fine Arts discipline.
5. One Year Casual Course for Indian Nationals in Painting / Sculpture / Graphic Art (Print Making) / Design (Textile / Ceramic) / History of Art.
PALLI SIKSHA BHAVANA (INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE)
1. Two year M.Sc.(Ag.) Courses in Agronomy; Plant Protection; Agricultural Extension; Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry and Horticulture.
2. Four year B.Sc. (Ag.) Honours Course.
PALLI SAMGATHANA VIBHAGA (INSTITUTE OF RURAL RECONSTRUCTION)
1. Two year M.A. / M.Sc. Course in Anthropology
2. Two year M.A. Course in Rural Development
3. Two year M.S.W. Course
4. Three year B.S.W. (Honours) Course
5. Three Year Diploma Courses in (i) Textile Technology (Handloom), (ii) Furniture Technology and Interior Design, (iii) Pottery and Ceramic Technology.
6. Two year Certificate Courses in (i) Hand-made paper making; (ii) Artistic Leather Craft; (iii) Batik Work, (iv) Book Binding & Hand made packaging, (v) Handloom weaving, (vi) Pottery, and (vii) Wood work.
VINAYA-BHAVANA ( INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION )
1. Two year M.A. in Education.
2. Three year B.A. / B.Sc. (Honours.) in Physical Education.
3. One Year B.P.Ed.
Details of each course, eligibility criteria etc. are available in the Admission kits (Information Brochure and application form), from the office of the respective Institutes and in the University website : www.visva-bharati.ac.in
Reservation of seats : In each course, admission of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and Physically Handicapped candidates will be governed as per rules of the Government of India.
How to apply: (i) In person: Prescribed application forms and information brochures (admission kits) may be obtained in person from the under-mentioned designated branches of the ‘United Bank of India’ (UBI) on payment of Rs.200/- for general/unreserved and OBC candidates and Rs.70/- for the SC and ST candidates :
Designated branches of UBI for issue of Application Forms and Information Brochure:
West Bengal: Kolkata - (1) Old Court House Street, (2) Shyambazar, (3) Gariahat, (4) Behala, (5) Bidhannagar (Salt Lake City), (6) Burdwan, (7) Durgapur (City Centre), (8) Asansol, (9) Maldah, (10) Cooch Behar, (11) Jalpaiguri, (12) Darjeeling, (13) Siliguri, (14) Raiganj, (15) Balurghat, (16) Berhampur, (17) Suri, (18) Bolpur Bhubandanga, (19) Rampurhat, (20) Bankura, (21) Purulia, (22) Raghunathpur, (23) Medinipur, (24) Contai, (25) Jhargram, (26) Tamluk, (27) Howrah, (28) Chinsurah, (29) Srirampore, (30) Krishnanagar, (31) Barasat, (32) Barrackpore, (33) Baruipur, (34) Diamond Harbour, (35) Bihar: Patna, (36) Jharkhand: Ranchi, (37) Orissa: Bhubaneswar, (38) Sikkim: Gangtok, (39) Assam: Guwahati, (40) Tripura: Agartala, (41) Manipur: Imphal, (42) Nagaland: Kohima, (43) Arunachal Pradesh: Itanagar, (44) Meghalaya: Shillong, (45) New Delhi: Connaught Circus, Jammu & Kashmir: (46) Srinagar, (47) Jammu, (48) Punjab, Hariyana, Chandigarh: Chandigarh, (49) Himachal Pradesh: Simla, (50) Uttaranchal: Dehradun, (51) Uttar Pradesh: Lucknow, (52) Rajasthan: Jaipur, (53) Gujarat: Ahmedabad, (54) Maharashtra: Pune, (55) Goa: Panaji, (56) Madhya Pradesh: Bhopal, (57) Chhattisgarh: Raipur, (58) Kerala: Trivandrum, (59) Tamil Nadu: Madras, (60) Andhra Pradesh: Hyderabad, (61) Karnataka: Bangalore, (62) Pondicherry: Pondicherry, (63) Andaman and Nicobar Island: Port Blair (Junglighat).
(ii) By Post: Application form may also be obtained from the office of the Deputy Registrar (Academic & Research), Visva-Bharati on payment of Rs.200/- for general/unreserved and OBC candidates and Rs.70/- for the SC and ST candidates by a crossed Demand Draft drawn in favour of ‘Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan’ and payable at ‘State Bank of India, Santiniketan Branch (Code 2121)’ along with a self-addressed envelope (37 cm. X 27 cm) affixed with postage stamps worth Rs.40/- only. The application form, details of the courses, eligibility criteria and relevant information may also be downloaded from the University website. In that case, the application form duly completed along with crossed Demand Draft of Rs.200/- for general/unreserved and OBC candidates and Rs.70/- for the SC and ST candidates and necessary documents may be sent to the Principal of the Institute concerned. However, an application in prescribed form of the University shall have to be submitted to the authority, if asked for. Application form completed in all respects should reach the Principal of the Institute concerned within June 30, 2008.
Candidates willing to apply for more than one course/stream should apply separately. Incomplete applications are liable to be rejected. Rights of cancellation or selection/admission lie with the Admission Committee of the Institute concerned. The University reserves the right to limit the number of eligible applicants to be called for admission test.
Admission kits will be issued from the designated branches of UBI from: June 04, 2008 to June 30, 2008.
Last date for receipt of application in prescribed forms (for All Courses unless specified otherwise): 30 June, 2008
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