Feb 18, 2022 ,The education philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore..

This write-up is contributed by Mr. Sugato Roy.

The education philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore….

To the Bengalis in particular wherever they are and wherever they will be in any part of the globe and also to the global citizens,  the name Rabindranath Tagore evokes an unfathomable sense of reverence, respect, admiration and veneration. Even the best of essayists, editors, writers and litterateurs can hardly epitomize Tagore, his works, his creations, his art, his poetry or his songs. Let us here attempt to pen down the key features and characteristics of the education policy of Rabindranath Tagore, the multifaceted Bard of India and what he had envisaged for the students.

Shantiniketan, the abode of peace and Visva Bharati, the communion of the world with India you close your eyes and these two words pop up immediately when someone asks you about Tagore and education. Situated about 160 km from Kolkata, Shantiniketan is nestled quaintly amongst nature, the green expanse, the immeasurable tranquillity and the River Kopai. Tagore firmly believed that education can never be confined within the four walls of a classroom. Rather the students must mingle, interact and interrelate with the environment. Nature, Tagore believed is the best tutor at any point in time. The blue sky, the shades of trees and the environment would impart the best of education that no textbooks would be able to provide. The walls of the classroom would always block the thoughts of the student in his formative years. Not only that Tagore would encourage the students to take up courses that the students found closer to their hearts even if the concerned teacher was not there. Faculty would be arranged in due course. As if to make the student a master of the subject that he is pursuing, Tagore would even extend the concerned class till such time the students and the tutors are fully satisfied with the progression. Rabindranath firmly believed that the creative power of a human being is of utmost importance and to develop and enhance that, Vishva Bharati even today has some of the best departments be it painting, graphics, songs, dance, sculpture, dramatics etc.

Tagore’s thinking and his philosophy on education are unparalleled and beyond any comparison. Even in his highly acclaimed poems Rabindranath stresses three fundamental issues – freedom of thought and expression, active communication and blend of nature and man, and to bring out and nurture the peak of creativity in an individual. The core of his thinking in education was based on naturalism, humanism, internationalism and idealism. Perhaps this is one of the principal reasons why Vishva Bharati has China Bhaban, Nippon Bhaban, Bhasha Bhaban, Kala Bhavan, Pally  Sangathan Bibhag, Bidya Bhaban, Binay Bhaban and the most important of all Patha Bhaban.

The classes of Patha Bhaban are held amidst the natural surroundings in the university campus at Vishva Bharati. Rabindranath maintained that the classrooms for a young kid should not be like a cage where the mind is locked up. In that cage, minds are fed with artificial things whereas the subconscious mind of a child is like a tree and just like a real tree,  the mind tree will gather its food, air and all inputs from the natural surroundings. 

The reason why Rabindranath emphasised that classes be held in natural surroundings is that for every child to grow up as an ideal and perfect human being, a perfect harmony of the mind with nature and the immediate environment and surroundings is of supreme magnitude. Harmony with all things forms the root of education according to Rabindranath. 

Intelligence and wisdom can only be ripened when restrictions, mental blocks and boundaries are not imposed on children. Rabindranath believed that the British type of education would be detrimental to the overall development of children and the classrooms would not be able to deliver the best in comparison to open-air education.

The faculty members at Visva – Bharati have been always outstanding and who’s who in their respective spheres. Rabindranath was light years ahead of his time. He emphasised that the teachers should bestow maximum love, affection regard and compassion for the overall mental growth of the children.

Mr. Sugato Roy

GRADUATE FROM ST XAVIER’S COLLEGE AND POST GRADUATE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CALCUTTA, SPECIALISING IN MARKETING MANAGEMENT AND ADVERTISING MANAGEMENT.  PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE OF 24 YEARS IN VARIOUS CAPACITIES IN ADVERTISING AND PUBLISHING INDUSTRY.  HAS BEEN AWARDED FOR  LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN ADVERTISING AND PUBLICITY MANAGEMENT.

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