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Source: The post is based on the article “Santiniketan chronicles: Unesco tag adorns the idyllic haven” published in Business Standard on 25th September 2023.
Syllabus: GS 1 – Art and Culture – Indian Heritage Site
Relevance: About Santiniketan receiving UNESCO’s World Heritage site status
News: Santiniketan was recently granted UNESCO World Heritage site status. It’s now the 41st site in India and the third in West Bengal to receive this prestigious recognition.
The other two World Heritage sites in West Bengal are Sundarbans National Park and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway as part of Mountain Railways of India.
What is Santiniketan?
Visva-Bharati was declared an institution of national importance in 1951 and evolved into a central university through an Act of Parliament.
After the inclusion of Santiniketan in the UNESCO World Heritage site List, Visva-Bharati became the only living institution to receive this prestigious tag.
How did Santiniketan achieve the UNESCO World Heritage site status?
Santiniketan’s UNESCO World Heritage nomination initially in 2009 faced rejection by International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). In 2021, a revised nomination was prepared with simplifications.
Moreover, in order to achieve UNESCO recognition, sites must have outstanding universal value (OUV) and meet at least one of the 10 selection criteria.
Hence, to meet UNESCO criteria, the focus shifted from “gurukul” and “tapoban” traditions to highlighting ensemble art, architecture, and Pan-Asian culture, making it more tangible for recognition.
The revised proposal positioned Santiniketan as a symbol of India’s new modernity.
Further, during the period of independence struggle and revivalism, Santiniketan shifted away from Western influences, embracing Indian crafts, local materials, and folk and classical Indian art.
This fusion created a harmonious blend of Balinese, Burmese, Chinese, and Japanese traditions in this living heritage site.
What challenges does Santiniketan face now after it has attained UNESCO World Heritage site status?
The challenge now is preserving this status. For this, strict conditions must be upheld, and haphazard construction should be avoided to prevent a situation like Dresden.
Dresden lost its UNESCO status in 2009 when it built a four-lane bridge within its cultural landscape.
Further, ICOMOS conducted an onsite visit to Santiniketan two years ago, resulting in strict regulations against construction within the ashram area.
However, the presence of physical barriers has sparked debates, as it appears to contradict Tagore’s concept of openness.
Therefore, preserving the serene atmosphere of Patha-Bhavana, where classes take place under the shade of mango trees, remains a priority.
Must Read: Tagore’s home Santiniketan added to UNESCO World Heritage List and For Santiniketan, Unesco World Heritage status has been a decade-long wait
What lies ahead?
Balancing tourism and preserving its educational mission is a challenge for Santiniketan. Therefore, to manage this, it’s considering phasing visitor entry and preparing to welcome tourists with new signage while also maintaining its educational vibrancy and rich heritage.
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