VISVA-BHARATI

(A Central University and An Institution of National Importance)

Department of Anthropology

About the Visva-Bharati

Visva-Bharati is a pilgrimage for education and culture. It reflects the Tagorean ethos of making a complete human being. It is a hallowed place of learning cradled in a serene environment in the lap of Nature, where Rabindranath founded a school for children at Santiniketan and it was around this nucleus that the structure of an unconventional University developed through careful planning and meticulous execution of those ideas and ideals. 

In 1863, on a 20 Bigha plot at the site of the current organisation, Debendranath Tagore, the artist's father, had constructed a little retreat for reflection, and in 1888 he committed, by a trust deed, the land and structures, towards foundation of an Asrama where searchers after truth independent of their formal strict affiliations, organization, doctrine and position could come and ruminate in separation; a Brahmavidyalaya also, a library. Rabindranath's school Brahmacharyasrama which began working officially from December 22, 1901 without any than five understudies on the roll, was, partially, a satisfaction of the wishes of his father who was a huge figure of his time in the field of instructive changes. From 1925 this school came to be known as Patha-Bhavana.

 The school was a cognizant disavowal of the framework presented in India by the British rulers, and Rabindranath at first looked to understand the inborn estimations of old instruction in India. The school furthermore, its educational plan, thusly, meant a takeoff from the manner in which the remainder of the nation saw schooling and instructing. Straightforwardness in facades was a cardinal rule. Classes were held in open air in the shade of trees where man and nature went into a prompt agreeable relationship. Educators and understudies shared the single basic socio-social life. The educational program had music, painting, sensational exhibitions and other performative practices. Past the acknowledged furthest reaches of scholarly and scholastic interests, openings were made for fortifying and supporting the complex resources of human character

After Rabindranath was granted the Nobel Prize in 1913, he was welcome to various visits all finished the world and came near know a huge piece of the world and its kin. By 1917 the scope of his experience and the eagerness of his investigation prompted his own self-explanation with respect to the thought of a focal point of Indian culture at Santiniketan. The middle, as brought about by him, was to give "for the planned investigation of the various societies". As "music and the expressive arts are among the most noteworthy methods for public self-articulation … in the proposed focus of our way of life, music and workmanship must have unmistakable seats of honor". This middle ought not exclusively be a focal point of the scholarly existence of India however, the focal point of the monetary life too. Taking an interest accordingly in all the significant circles of Indian life, the organization would accomplish a delegate character and go into an experience with the remainder of the world.

The institution chose for its motto the Vedic text “Yatra visvam bhavatyekanidam” (where the world makes a home in a single nest). On 23 December 1921 Visva-Bharati became a registered public body which adopted a constitution of its own. The aims and objects as set forth on the occasion have since then remained the objectives of Visva-Bharati.

In May 1951, Visva-Bharati was declared to be a Central University and “An Institution of National Importance” by an Act of Parliament. It was granted the status of a unitary teaching and residential University. The status and function of all the major institutions have been redefined in successive Amendment Acts and the University has continued to grow by giving accreditation to new centers in response to the needs newly felt. 

About the Department

The subject Anthropology in Visva-Bharati initially was in the Department of Rural Development & Social Studies (popularly known as Palli Charcha Kendra) under the School of Rural Reconstructions. On the first day of February 2010, the Department started its journey with five faculty members: 2 Professors and 3 Assistant Professors, of whom three have a specialization in Social/Cultural while two have  specialization in Biological/Physical Anthropology. Presently, department has three faculty members- 1 Associate Professor and 2 Assistant Professors.  The Department now has a combined unit of Biological/Physical, Social/Cultural and Prehistoric/Archaeological Laboratory. The Department offers four semesters M.A./M.Sc. course in Anthropology with specialization on Biological/Physical and Social/Cultural Anthropology. It also offers Ph.D. program conducted by the teachers of the Department on their specialized areas.