Eco-urbanism of Bolpur-Shantiniketan: The Legacy of the Brahmacharyashram of the Tagore

Abstract

Abstract: Bolpur-Santiniketan is synonymous with Rabindranath Tagore. The urbanism of this town is quite different from that of other urban areas in India, as the Santiniketan ashram dwellers have close ties with nature in every aspect of life, influenced by the life & livelihood of Tagore & his philosophy. This tradition has a ripple effect, which either exists in the present-day Santiniketan or not, is the main question of this research. Literature surveys, observations, and visual ethnography helped in this context to find the answer. The output of this search is that the ecourban legacy of Tagore’s Bhramacharyashram still persists in a few pockets in Patha Bhavan & the core area of the ashram campus. Ashram as well as newly built-up area also bear the main ecourban tradition of Tagore, i.e., green architecture to some extent & also foster ecotourism.