Sangit Bhavana

Last updated

Sangit Bhavana
Visva-Bharati University
Sangeet Bhavan - 1919 CE - Santiniketan 2014-06-29 5393.JPG
Sangit Bhavana, Santiniketan
Location Santiniketan, West Bengal, India
Coordinates 23°40′52″N87°40′55″E / 23.68101°N 87.68183°E / 23.68101; 87.68183
Founder Rabindranath Tagore
Established1933
Principal Prof. Nikhil Chowdhury
Website visvabharati.ac.in/sangitbhavana

Sangit Bhavana (Institute of Dance, Drama and Music), of Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, started functioning as a part of Kala Bhavana in 1919 and as a separate institution in 1933. It was established by the Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. [1]

Contents

Overview

The Statesman writes, "Like the fine arts, music was an important part of the curriculum taught at Tagore's school. For the Santiniketan community, his songs were a constant source of joy and solace. They were integral to each aspect of Santiniketan's unique way of life and cultural identity. Not surprisingly, the teaching of music and dance received a fresh impetus when Visva-Bharati was founded. A new musical tradition evolved under the guidance of stalwarts like Dinendranath Tagore, Rabindranath's musician grandnephew, and Pandit Bhimrao Hasurkar Sastri, a versatile Maharashtrian musician who taught Hindustani classical music. [2]

"Simultaneously, a new style of dance was created through experimentation with styles borrowed from various traditions and cultures. Traditional Manipuri and Kathakali styles and also non-Indian dance forms such as the Ceylonese Kandy dance were incorporated into this new dance style that had an identity of its own. Such syncretism was a hallmark of Visva- Bharati's distinctive cultural outlook. [2]

"Santiniketan revolutionized Bengali and, by extension, Indian perceptions of culture by challenging social prejudices against the performing arts. The students broke a taboo when they began to participate in performances on the public stage. In short, in Santiniketan the performing arts gained a new respectability." [2]

History

Rabindranath's school, Brahmacharyasrama, at Santiniketan, was formally opened on 22 December 1901. [3] Music was an important part of the curriculum right from the beginning, but the music taught was limited to Rabindra Sangit. [4] In 1919, when Kala Bhavana first started functioning, it taught both music and art. In 1933, the two streams were separated with individual institutes for each stream - Kala Bhavana and Sangit Bhavana. [5]

Dinendranath Tagore, grandson of Dwijendranath Tagore, the poet's eldest brother, was brought up in the culturally rich environment of Jorasanko Thakur Bari and was a talented musician familiar with both Hindustani classical music and music in western culture. He was particularly good with musical notations and was in-charge of the music department from the earliest years. [6] Bhimrao Hasurkar Sastri introduced the teaching of Hindustani classical music in Santiniketan. He was the second adhakshya of the music department from 1923 to 1927. [4] Thereafter, Dinendra Nath Tagore once again took over charge. [6]

Bhatkhande Music Institute set up by renowned musicologist and pioneer in classical music training, Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande, in Lucknow, provided well-trained Hindusthani classical music acharyas to Visva Bharati for many years. [7]

The association of music with the courtesans in those days somewhat damaged its reputation as an art form, and Rabindranath's experiments with the art of dance at Santiniketan were initially received with opposition and criticism from the then existing orthodox society. [7]

In 1919, Rabindranath decided to include Manipuri dance in the curriculum of Santiniketan after witnessing a dance performance in Sylhet. He requested Birendra Kishore Manikya, the king of Tripura, to send a Manipuri dance teacher and the latter sent Rajkumar Buddhimanta Singh to Santiniketan. Later, Nileswar Mukherjee of Bhanugach also joined Santiniketan as a teacher of Manipuri dance. [8]

Rabindranath Tagore was attracted to Kathakali mainly as a result of its rhythmic dance components like kalasam and sari, with only a veneer of gestural abhinaya. He sent Santideb Ghosh, twice to South India to get in touch with Kerala Kalamandalam. In 1939 Poet Vallathol visited Santiniketan. Rabindranath requested him to send a Kathakali teacher to Santiniketan. Santideb Ghosh again visited Kerala for the purpose. Guru Kelu Nair was the first Kathakali teacher at Santiniketan from 1937 to 1941. Subsequently, Haridasan Nair, Balakrishnan Menon, Keshava Poduval, Unni Krishna Kuruppu and Mohan Krishnan Poduval were some of the eminent teachers at Santiniketan for Kathakali dance. In later years, Kalamandalam Govindan Kutty was associated with both Kolkata and Santiniketan. [9]

The institute overview

Eminent names in the musical arena such as Dinendranath Tagore, Bhimrao Hasurkar Sastri, Indira Devi Chaudhurani, Santidev Ghosh, Sushil Kumar Bhanja Choudhuri and Sailajaranjan Majumdar laid down rich traditions in earlier years. [10] In later years the traditions were upheld by such persons as Kanika Banerjee and Nilima Sen. [11] [12]

In addition to those who studied at Santineiketan and remained back as notable teachers, some of the students who have emerged as popular singers, beyond Santiniketan, are: Suchitra Mitra, [13] Subinoy Roy, [14] Sumitra Guha [15] and Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya. [16] [17]

Sangit Bhavana "focuses on the realms of music and dance. The courses vary from PG to undergraduate study and from diplomas to certificate courses. Almost all forms and styles of Indian music and dance are dealt with under one roof." [18] Sangit Bhavana imparts training in Rabindra Sangit, Hindusthani classical vocal and instrumental music (esraj, sitar, tabla, pakhvaj), Manipuri and Kathakali dance styles, dramas and Tagore's own musical dance-dramas. For exceptionally talented post-graduates, there is scope for research. [10]

See also - Special programme on Rabindranath Tagore and Scottish poet Robert Burns

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shantiniketan</span> UNESCO heritage site in West Bengal, India

Shantiniketan is a neighbourhood of Bolpur town in the Bolpur subdivision of Birbhum district in West Bengal, India, approximately 152 km north of Kolkata. It was established by Maharshi Devendranath Tagore, and later expanded by his son, Rabindranath Tagore whose vision became what is now a university town with the creation of Visva-Bharati. It is also the birthplace of Amartya Sen, an Economist, Philosopher, & Nobel Laureate

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visva-Bharati University</span> Central university in Shantiniketan, West Bengal, India

Visva-Bharati, is a public central university and an Institute of National Importance located in Shantiniketan, West Bengal, India. It was founded by Rabindranath Tagore who called it Visva-Bharati, which means the communion of the world with India. Until independence it was a college. Soon after independence, the institution was given the status of a central university in 1951 by an act of the Parliament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kanika Banerjee</span> Indian singer

Kanika Banerjee was a Bengali Rabindra Sangeet singer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patha Bhavana, Santiniketan</span> School associated with Visva-Bharati University

Patha Bhavana is an institution of primary and secondary education in Santiniketan, West Bengal, India. Founded by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in 1901, starting with only five students, the school is characterized by its philosophy of learning with the heart in closeness to nature without any superficial barriers between teachers and students, as opposed to the strict, repetitive and the rote learning system that was mainstream during Tagore's childhood. Often referred to as an ashram system, initially what started out as this school, later grew into what is now Visva-Bharati University. It is one of the two primary and secondary school affiliated with the Visva-Bharati University; the other being Siksha Satra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suchitra Mitra</span> Indian musical artist (1924–2011)

Suchitra Mitra was an Indian singer, composer, artist exponent of Rabindra Sangeet or the songs of Bengal's poet laureate Rabindranath Tagore, professor, and the first woman Sheriff of Kolkata. As an academic, she remained a professor and the Head of Rabindra Sangeet Department at the Rabindra Bharati University until 1984. Mitra was a playback singer in Bengali films and was associated for many years with the Indian People's Theatre Association.

Guru Kelu Nair was a renowned Kathakali dance artist and teacher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santidev Ghosh</span> Indian author, singer, actor, dancer (1910–1999)

Santidev Ghose was an Indian author, singer, actor, dancer and maestro of Rabindra Sangeet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nilima Sen</span> Musical artist

Nilima Sen was a famous Rabindrasangeet singer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dinendranath Tagore</span>

Dinendranath Tagore, also known as Dinu Thakur, was a Bengali musician, singer and poet.

Rajeshwari Dutta born as Rajeshwari Vasudev was an Indian singer, considered one of the best-known exponents of the songs of Rabindranath Tagore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rezwana Choudhury Bannya</span> Bangladeshi singer

Rezwana Choudhury Bannya is a singer from Bangladesh. She is an exponent of Rabindra Sangeet, the songs written and composed by Rabindranath Tagore. She has won many awards including Bangladesh's highest civilian award, the Independence Day Award (2016) and India's fourth highest civilian award, Padma Shri (2024).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kala Bhavana</span> Fine arts school of Visva-Bharati University

Kala Bhavana is the fine arts faculty of Visva-Bharati University, in Shantiniketan, India. It is an institution of education and research in visual arts, founded in 1919, it was established by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adity Mohsin</span> Musical artist

Adity Mohsin is a Bangladeshi Rabindra Sangeet singer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rabindra Jayanti</span> Day of celebration

Rabindra Jayanti is an annually celebrated cultural festival, prevalent among Tagorephiles around the world, in remembrance of Rabindranath Tagore's birthday anniversary. It is celebrated in early May, on the 25th day of the Bengali month of Boishakh, since Tagore was born on this day of the year 1268 of the Bengali calendar. Every year, numerous cultural programmes and events, such as: Kabipranam (কবিপ্রণাম) – the songs, poetries, dances and dramas, written and composed by Tagore, are organised in this particular day, by various schools, colleges and universities in Bengal, and is also celebrated by different groups abroad, as a tribute to Tagore and his works. Throughout the globe, Tagore's birth anniversary is largely celebrated at Santiniketan, Birbhum in West Bengal, chiefly in Visva-Bharati University, the institution founded by Tagore himself for the cultural, social and educational upliftment of the students as well as the society. In 2011, the Government of India issued a five-rupee coin to mark the 150th anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore's birth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pratima Devi (painter)</span> Indian artist (1893–1969)

Pratima Devi (1893–1969) was an Indian Bengali artist, widely known for her artistic abilities. She was the wife of Rathindranath Tagore. The poet took special interest in developing her capabilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indira Devi Chaudhurani</span> Bengali literary figure, author and musician, born to the Tagore family

Indira Devi Chaudhurani was an Indian literary figure, author and musician. Born to the Tagore family, Indira was the younger child of Satyendranath Tagore and Jnanadanandini Devi and younger sister of Surendranath Tagore. She is noted for her work in scoring the music for a number of songs by her uncle Rabindranath, with whom she was particularly close. Indira Devi Chaudhurani died in 1960.

The following is a list of notable people associated withVisva- Bharati University and/or Santiniketan, a neighbourhood in Bolpur city in West Bengal, India:

Sailajaranjan Majumdar was a distinguished exponent and teacher of Rabindra Sangeet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamuna Sen</span> Indian artist from Santiniketan

Jamuna Sen was an Indian artist, known for her design work in a variety of mediums including Batik and Alpona as well as developing, in an Indian context, a variety of traditional crafts from across the world. She was a pioneer in establishing the practice of Batik in India in modern times. Daughter of Nandalal Bose, a central figure in modern Indian art, she was brought up in the artistic and intellectual milieu of Santiniketan and made significant contributions in the field of design.

Pallavi Krishnan is a leading exponent of the dance form, Mohiniyattam. She received the Sangeet Natak Academi award for 2022 in Mohiniyattam from president Murmu.

References

  1. "Sangeet Bhavan is still relevant while completing hundred years". www.anandabazar.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 Chanda, Sukalyan (4 February 2019). "Centenary of the Nest II". The Statesman, 5 February 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  3. "Visva Bharati". History. Visva Bharati. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  4. 1 2 "Bhimrao Hasurkar Sastri". Visva Bharati. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  5. "From Bharmacharyashrama to Visva-Bharati: A Chronicle of Metamorphosis of a Tiny School into an Internationally-Acclaimed Centre of Learning" (PDF). Visva Baharati. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  6. 1 2 "Dinendranath Tagore (1882-1935)". Visva Bharati. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  7. 1 2 "Sangit Bhavana and Rabindranath's Vision" (PDF). Sodhgnga. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  8. Naorem Sanajaoba (1988). Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization. Mittal Publications. p. 131. ISBN   978-81-7099-853-2.
  9. "Dance Education in Santiniketan" (PDF). Shasthrapathi Chandani Kasturi Arachchi. Sangeet Galaxy, July 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  10. 1 2 "Sangit Bhavana". Visva Bharati. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  11. "Kanika Bandopadhyay". Visva Bharati. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  12. "Nilima Sen profile". Veethi. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  13. "Rabindra Sangeet exponent Suchitra Mitra passes away". The Indian Express . 3 January 2011.
  14. "Kolkatar Karcha". (in Bengali). Ananda Bazar Patrika, 6 November 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  15. "Sumitra Guha". Underscore Records. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  16. "Meet Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya, a Bangladeshi exponent of Rabindra Sangeet". The Economic Times, 7 August 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  17. "Rezwana Chowdhury Banya". Biography. last.fm. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  18. "Tagore's Vision of an Institution". Colleges. 26 March 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  19. Women, Speak, Nation: Gender, Culture and Politics. Taylor and Francis/ Google. 24 July 2019. ISBN   9781000507270 . Retrieved 6 September 2019.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  20. Performing Otherness: Java and Bali on International Stages, 1905-1952. Springer/ Google. 27 October 2010. ISBN   9780230309005 . Retrieved 7 September 2019.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  21. "Over The Years". Sudip Bhattacharya, page 65. Edurecreation Publishing / Google. 26 December 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  22. "Together with Tagore". The Telegraph, 9 May 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
  23. "Tagore in Tune". The Hindu, 25 October 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  24. "Tagore drew inspiration from Scottish bard for his poem". The Times of India, 20 November 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  25. "Now, a Rabindranath Tagore hub in Edinburgh University". DNA 10 May 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  26. "Pallavi Krishnan". Pallavi Krishnan. Archived from the original on 21 September 2019. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  27. "Pallavi enthuses effortless grace". The New Indian Express, 3 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
External videos
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Visva Bharati and Preparation of Basanta Utsav (commentary in Bengali)
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg DD Santiniketan 22 she Sravan