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Shantiniketan
Santiniketan, West BengalAbout
Shantiniketan, the abode of peace, was initially an Ashram or hermitage founded in 1863 by Maharishi Devendranath Tagore. In 1901 his son, Rabindranath converted it into an experimental open-air school with just five students. It proved a success. He widened the scope of studies which gradually formed the nucleus of a University. Tripura has played a prominent role in introducing Manipuri dance form in the tradition of dances adopted in Shantiniketan. This role emerged through the close association of Rabindranath Tagore with the Royal family of Tripura. The relationship between Rabindranath and Tripura is a cherished chapter of Tripura's history now. Rabindra literature equally bears the clear impact of Tripura. It was the king of Tripura, Maharaja Birchandra Manikya who warmly felicitated the poet while he was still young. The great poet visited Tripura seven times during his entire life. It was during these visits to the state that he was drawn towards Manipuri dance form. The Maharajkumar of Tripura later sent Manipuri dance teacher from his court to Shantiniketan as desired by the poet. The part played in "Nateer Puja", "Shaapmochan", "Chitrangada", "Nritya natya", incorporating the art of dancing by Tripura's Manipuri dance teacher, was highly appreciated by all. Research has been undertaken to find out as to why Rabindranath felt inspired about dance, and why he adopted dance-training in Shantiniketan. According to Pratima Devi, Rabindranath visited Tripura occasionally and it was during these visits that he could first realise the prospect and potentiality of the art of dancing. Shantidev Ghosh writes that "Gurudev did not merely want to train dancers. His aim was to impart all-round education, knowledge and other faculties of art to mould the society into a creative and peaceful entity. His idea was to adopt the art of dancing as a means towards such an end. During the reign of Radhakishore Manikya in B.S. 1306 (Bikrama Samvut) Rabindranath first paid a visit to Tripura. On this occasion a performance of Manipuri dance was arranged as a part of grand reception accorded to him. Later he also witnessed Manipuri dance in Sylhet as well as at Tripura on various occasions. At one stage, he requested Maharajkumar Brajendra Kishore to find out an experienced dance artist. On consultation with Maharaja Birendra Kishore, the Manipuri Rajkumar Buddhimanta Singha was sent to Shantiniketan. Tagore's biographer, Prabhat Mukherjee stated, "On the establishmen
