SANTINIKETAN

Why in news: The 45th world heritage committee added Santiniketan in the UNESCO World Heritage List
https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5495/

Santiniketan, West Bengal, has achieved UNESCO World Heritage Site status during the 45th UNESCO World Heritage Committee session in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, making it India’s 41st UNESCO World Heritage Site. This recognition stems from Santiniketan’s rich heritage, encompassing historic structures, landscapes, gardens, pavilions, artworks, and a continuous legacy of education and culture, all contributing to its Outstanding Universal Value.

Founded by Rabindranath Tagore in 1901 in rural West Bengal, Santiniketan represents a convergence of environmental art, educational reform, architecture, and landscape. It is a renowned cultural and educational institution comprising of the viswa bharati university Key areas like the Ashram, Uttarayan, and Kala- Bhavana stand as testaments to these progressive practices. Additionally, Santiniketan is closely linked to Rabindranath Tagore’s vision and the Bengal School of Art, playing a pivotal role in early Indian Modernism.

Santiniketan’s name itself translates to “abode of peace,” and this UNESCO recognition follows its inclusion in the 2021 Intangible Cultural Heritage List for Durga Puja. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee selects, oversees, and supports world heritage sites while managing heritage funds. India holds a membership in this committee.