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@article{194958,
        author = {PURABI ROY and DR. SOUMI MANDAL},
        title = {ARTISTIC HANDICRAFTS AS CULTURAL PEDAGOGY IN TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {10},
        pages = {5873-5878},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=194958},
        abstract = {This paper explores the integration of artistic handicrafts as cultural pedagogy in teacher training programmes at Vinaya Bhavana, Visva-Bharati. Rooted in Rabindranath Tagore’s holistic philosophy of education, handicrafts transcend mere manual activity and embody cultural wisdom, aesthetic sensibility, and sustainable living practices. Their inclusion in teacher training transforms education into a life-oriented process, connecting learners with indigenous traditions and community values.
Handicrafts function as powerful pedagogical tools, offering interdisciplinary applications across mathematics, science, history, and environmental studies. They cultivate holistic development by harmonising the head, heart, and hand, while simultaneously nurturing creativity, patience, and problem-solving skills. Further, handicrafts preserve cultural identity, strengthen school– community relationships, and foster ecological consciousness through sustainable practices.
The study adopts a qualitative approach, drawing upon Tagore’s philosophy, institutional observations from Visva-Bharati, and secondary literature. Findings indicate that handicraft- based pedagogy enriches teacher education by bridging tradition and modernity, empowering future teachers to deliver inclusive, creative, and culturally responsive learning experiences.
Ultimately, the paper argues that handicrafts are not peripheral or ornamental but central to the philosophy and practice of teacher education at Vinaya Bhavana. They reflect Tagore’s enduring vision of education as “through life and for life,” offering pathways to create thoughtful, socially responsible, and culturally rooted educators for the future.},
        keywords = {Handicrafts, Cultural Pedagogy, Teacher Training, Vinaya Bhavana, Tagore’s Philosophy, Indigenous Knowledge, Holistic Education},
        month = {March},
        }