Rabindranath Tagore – a poet, a Nobel Laurate, a visionary who is still considered one of the most progressive educators of his time.Born during a period of struggle in pre-independent India, Tagore envisaged of a holistic education system, deeply rooted to one’s culture and surroundings yet connected to the wider world beyond geographical boundaries. He dedicated forty years of his establishing Visva Bharati, a unique educational institution that emphasized on the overall development of a student.
The name ‘Visva Bharati’ implies the communion of the world with India. Tagore felt the need of an education system where students will not only learn to appreciate their own culture but would be able to identify themselves as global citizens. As the university town attracts many tourists across the globe, one can find many hotels, resorts and home stays near Visva Bharati. Panthashala is a guest house near Visva Bharati that offers all modern amenities for a safe and comfortable stay. Adorned by splendid sculptures, murals and gardens – Panthashala offers a home stay experience with great value for money.
Tagore’s idea of self-education:
Since childhood, Tagore was against the conventional school education system and described as mundane and lifeless, even compared it to prison. He always promoted the power of imagination, curiosity and creative joy that help a child to learn and grow. According to him, children should learn unconsciously without being guided by a fixed purpose. He believed in self-education based on self-realization that compels the children to be self-disciplined. Students should be allowed to think freely and grow a sense of faith in themselves which is only possible when they are treated with patience, sympathy and respect.
Tagore’s idea of open-air education:
For Tagore, educational institutions should not become cages in which the heads of a living being feed on artificial food.He always saw nature as an indispensable for healthy mental and physical growth of children. At Visva Bharati, students are taught under open sky instead of traditional classroom setting. To him, the goal of education should be establishing the harmony of the students with environment. The main objective isto cultivate love for nature among students while imparting knowledge in one’s native language and provide freedom of mind. It was Tagore who celebrated different seasons in Shantiniketan instead of religious festivals. He praised nature in many of his poems, plays and music and incorporated its various aspects into the daily campus life.
Tagore’s idea of physical development:
Tagore condemned the idea that educational institutes should merely be concerned about students’ intellect and always thought thatphysical wellbeing of the students should equally be taken care of. According to Rabindranath, “Education of the body in the real sense, does not exist in ply and exercise but in applying the body systematically to some useful work”. He always promoted physical movement of the children through different sports activities which will give them the strength to assimilate new facts and emphasized on the importance of good diet.
Tagore also refers to Tapovans (ancient Indian jungle colonies) where students used to lead simple lives close to nature and with an inspiring Guru. A Guru would not only impart bookish knowledge to the students but would emphasize on spiritual knowledge and give their whole selves to the students to contribute to their overall development going beyond the limitations of formal curriculum.
Final Thought:
Rabindranath Tagore’s educational efforts were motivated by post-colonial notions of liberation. He saw education as the key to self-esteem and self-confidence to overcome the political, social and economic oppression. Education to him was the biggest weapon to prepare individuals who can think for themselves and the welfare of others. Individuals who will not be afraid of exploring new ideas from other cultures and create world communities founded on peace, harmony and universal brotherhood.