Prakriti Bhavan

Prakriti Bhavan is a nature art museum located near Sonajhuri forest at Ballavpur in Santiniketan, Birbhum, West Bengal. Created by artist Subrata Ghosh, it houses a unique collection of naturally formed driftwood, stones, tree branches and other natural objects that resemble human figures, animals and abstract forms. The museum reflects Santiniketan's art-nature philosophy and is situated close to the weekly Sonajhuri Haat, attracting visitors interested in natural art and creativity.

Visitors can expect a small, indoor museum displaying a curated collection of natural art objects including driftwood sculptures, uniquely shaped stones, roots and branches that naturally resemble figures, animals and deities. The exhibits are arranged in galleries with labels, set in a quiet forested surroundings near Sonajhuri. The visit involves walking through display rooms observing the natural forms, with opportunity to understand the art-nature concept promoted in Santiniketan.

Prakriti Bhavan was established by artist and collector Subrata Ghosh who spent decades collecting naturally shaped wood, stones and natural objects from various regions. The museum was developed to preserve and display these natural art forms and to promote appreciation of nature's own artistry in line with Santiniketan's artistic heritage influenced by Rabindranath Tagore and Visva-Bharati.

The museum represents Santiniketan's cultural emphasis on harmony between art, nature and creativity. It showcases the concept of finding art in natural forms without human intervention, aligning with the Visva-Bharati ethos of learning from nature and is a cultural attraction for art students and visitors to the Sonajhuri area.