The historic Visva-Bharati University, established by Rabindranath Tagore in 1921, is on track to become the first-ever ”living heritage university” worldwide. This prestigious recognition is anticipated to be confirmed by UNESCO in April or May 2023, a novel concept in the history of heritage tagging that usually focuses on monuments and buildings.
Visva-Bharati University’s Road to Heritage Status
Situated in Shantiniketan, West Bengal, India, the university was initially named after the Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore when it was established in 1921. It was only when the Visva-Bharati Society was registered as an organization in May 1922 that its official name came about. Tagore, staunchly believing in open-air education, introduced this unique method at the university which continues to this very day.
By 1922, Visva-Bharati was inaugurated as a Centre for Culture according to UNESCO, committed to exploring the arts, languages, humanities, music, and maintaining these through various diverse institutes that persist in their educational programs today. These include studies in Hindi, Sino-Asian topics, humanities, fine arts, and music, all rooted deeply in the foundation of excellent culture and culture studies.
Prior to India’s independence, Visva-Bharati operated as a college. After independence, however, it received Central University status in 1951 via a Central Act. The eclectic range of structures within the university’s institutes are particularly noteworthy due to their architectural diversity.
Architectural Highlights of Visva-Bharati University
Among the standouts at the university are the Kalo Bari (a mud structure with a coal tar finish enhanced by sculpture panels) and the Mastermoshai studio, a single-story building initially constructed to accommodate Nandalal Bose, Kala Bhavan’s first principal. Additionally, the murals and paintings on Cheena Bhavan and Hindi Bhavan enhance the diverse architectural expressions at the university.
Understanding UNESCO
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, is a specialized entity under the United Nations that advocates for cooperation among nations. This is achieved through education, science, culture, and communication, with the ultimate goal of promoting peace, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue.
Key Initiatives Led by UNESCO
Some of UNESCO’s major initiatives include the Man and Biosphere Programme, the World Heritage Programme, the Global Geopark Network and the Network of Creative Cities. These initiatives have been driving forces behind the organization’s mandate to foster intellectual cooperation and sustainable development.
The journey of Visva-Bharati University from inception to the verge of becoming the world’s first living heritage university signifies the deep cultural roots and tradition of innovative educational methods. The anticipated UNESCO recognition is further affirmation of these achievements.
