Sahaj Path: Tagore’s Eco-Philosophy and Ecological Pedagogy/ সহজ পাঠ : রবিঠাকুরের ইকো-ফিলোসফি এবং ইকোলজিকাল পেডাগজি

Abstract

Rabindranath Tagore’s Sahaj Path is widely regarded as a foundational textbook for Bengali language learning, yet its significance extends far beyond the teaching of alphabets and grammar. This seemingly simple book embodies Tagore’s eco-philosophy and pedagogical vision, where language, culture, and nature are seamlessly interwoven. Through rhymes, simple prose, and everyday observations of animals, plants, rivers, and seasons, Tagore introduces children not only to the structure of language but also to the rhythms of nature and the ethics of coexistence.

             Tagore’s eco-philosophy emphasizes the inseparable bond between humans and the natural world. For him, education cannot be isolated from the environment in which children live. He believed that learning should grow organically out of the child’s experiences in fields, riversides, and villages, thereby nurturing ecological sensitivity alongside intellectual growth. Sahaj Path exemplifies this vision, embedding ecological pedagogy in its very structure by connecting letters and words to natural phenomena and everyday rural life.

             This research paper explores the ecological pedagogy of Sahaj Path in detail. It examines how Tagore’s ideas resonate with modern concepts of ecological education and sustainable development. At a time when climate crisis and ecological degradation are pressing global challenges, revisiting Tagore’s insights offers valuable lessons. His pedagogy continues to inspire the integration of sustainability, culture, and environmental ethics into education.