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RUSSIA INDIA REPORT
Culture
BOOKMARKS
IN ASSOCIATION WITH ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA, RUSSIA THE TIMES OF INDIA WEDNESDAY_OCTOBER 27_2010
www.roerichtrust.org The International Roerich Memorial Trust i www.roerich.org Nicholas Roerich museum in New York
… All the great symbols, all heroes, seem to be brought close to the Himalayas as if to the highest altar, where the human spirit comes closest to divinity. Are the shining stars not nearer when you are in the Himalayas? Are not the treasures of the earth evident in the Himalayas?...” (Nicholas Roerich. The Heart of Asia.)
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MEMORY INDIA BACKS RUSSIA'S PROPOSAL TO CREATE THE INTERNATIONAL ROERICH ART ACADEMY
SPEAKING LANGUAGE OF SOUL
Alexander M. Kadakin, Russian ambassador to India
Fact file The Memorial Complex of the Roerichs in the township of Naggar in the serene Kullu Valley comprises the Estate where the illustrious Russian family of the elder Roerichs lived from 1929 to 1947, an Art Gallery and the 'Urusvati' Himalayan Research Institute. Until his death in 1993, it was the abode of Svetoslav Roerich and his legendary film star wife, Devika Rani. The Estate is justly considered one of the unique treasure-houses of world culture. The International Roerich Memorial Trust (IRMT) is now functioning under the patronage of the Co-Chairmen of the Russian-Indian Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC).
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The organisers received a welcome note from Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, who is on the board of trustees of the IRMT. In her message, she stressed that“Roerich's heritage, much admired by leaders like Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, brought a closer understanding of Russia to the people of India,an appreciation of each other from the heart and soul”. She assured that IRMT can rely on the unflagging support of the External Affairs Ministry. The principal guest of honour was Professor Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. Other high profile participants included Mr.Doulat Kuanyshev,Ambassador of Kazakhstan to India, political and public figures, senior officials and influential gurus of the cultural and spiritual elite. Representatives of Roerich societies from Australia, Austria, Brazil, Estonia, Italy,Latvia,Lithuania,Ukraine and the USA joined the festivities along with hundreds of KulluValley residents and Indian and foreign tourists. Guests were treated to a grand concert lasting late into the evening on the stage of the Green Theatre set up on the Estate's terraces. The audience roared with ovation after a brilliant show of the 'Inspiration' Choreographic Ensemble from Temirtau in Kazakhstan,which performed folk dances from Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Belorussia, Mexico and Korea. Connoisseurs of classical Indian music could savour performances by such virtuosos as flutist Rajendra Prasanna and sitar player Paramanand Bansal. Looking at those radiant faces
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aglow with spiritual intensity, I floated in my thoughts to the distant days when one of the last Roerichs,the famous painter Svyatoslav Roerich,came out with the daring idea of building a full-scale international cultural centre in Naggar,a remote village where Nicholas Roerich had lived with his family.That dream is now a living reality. Another equally forward-looking humanistic project was accomplished three quarters of a century ago. A unique international document on the protection of artistic and scientific institutions and historic monuments known as the Roerich Pact was signed. Along with it, mankind received a symbol of protection of its cultural and historic heritage – the famous Banner of Peace. This very banner now proudly flutters along with the national flags of India and Russia near Roerich’s house. The idea of uniting the efforts of the world community in protecting cultural treasures had overwhelmed Roerich long before it took real shape, bringing together like-minded people from across the world.It is deeply symbolic that the Roerich Pact was signed at a time when its author lived and worked on the Indian soil, in the laps of these majestic mountains that he depicted so splendidly in his paintings, providing an inexhaustible source of inspiration to his muse. As Roerich said memorably in his book “The Heart of Asia”:“… All the great symbols, all heroes, seem to be brought close to the Himalayas as if to the highest altar, where the human spirit comes closest to divinity.Are the shining stars not nearer when you are in the Himalayas? Are not the treasures of the earth evident in the Himalayas?...”(Nicholas Roer-
RIA-NOVOSTI
Nicholas Roerich (1874-1947): Painter, poet and philosopher... Nicholas Roerich was a multi-faceted personality, an individual with an immense thirst for knowledge and a deep appreciation for beauty in all forms. A trained painter and lawyer, also ethnographer, geographer, poet, philosopher, traveller, fighter for peace, defender of cultural values, Roerich devoted himself to the common good of mankind. Early on, Roerich distinguished himself as his generation's best painter of scenes from ancient Russian history. He was associated with several Symbolist literary-artistic journals and directed the School of the Imperial Society for the Encouragement of the Arts. After the October Revolution, he and his family left
ich.The Heart of Asia. p.13). Probably here, in the legendary Valley of the Gods, in the heart of the world’s greatest mountain range,the magical power of beauty and harmony in creating cultural heritage and the development of human civilisation revealed itself to Roerich. “Where there is culture, there is also peace. There is also heroism,as well as appropriate solution of the most difficult social problems. Culture is an accumulation of the highest bliss, of the highest beauty, of the highest knowledge,”wrote Roerich. This truth is evident in thousands of Roerich’s paintings that became priceless heritage, a monumental testimony to the greatness of his genius.Some of them are exhibited in the Roerich Gallery, in his house where he lived with his illustrious family for many years. His canvases depict sacred peaks,boulders with mantras and magic signs inscribed on them, monasteries and temples. Looking
Russia. As emigres, they lived in Finland, the UK, and the US, finally settling in an idyllic hilly place in northern India. In 1928, Roerich and his wife Elena founded the Institute of the Himalayan Studies "Urusvati". He also spearheaded an international campaign for the adoption of the 'Banner of Peace' pact to protect art and architecture in times of war.
Nicholas Roerich. Tibet: A Monastery, 1944. BRIDGEMAN ART/FOTOBANK
at them, one clearly senses the primordial material and spiritual environment which was always indispensable for the life of people of this strikingly beautiful and blessed Indian land. Observing the anniversary celebrations of the Roerich Pact, we should remember one of its major precepts.If we fail to preserve our common cultural heritage, the pact warns that we will inevitably doom ourselves to extinction just like the mighty deodars in sacred forests would surely die if their roots are cut. The works of Roerich, permeated by immortal ideas of great teachers and sages of India and the Orient, teach us to cherish and replenish the world’s cultural trove. The great project initiated by Nicholas' son Svyatoslav Roerich and the Russian
Embassy in India almost 20 years ago today is bearing a rich harvest.The museum complex and the Roerich art gallery have been included in the list of the most attractive places of interest in Kullu Valley and Himachal Pradesh.Thousands of Indians and foreign guests visit this memorial estate, that also helps promote tourism and employment to people of the state. Contrary to what pessimists say, it is worth recalling other achievements of IRMT. Look at this wonderful theatre where musicians,singers,dancers and other masters of arts perform regularly.They display numerous exhibitions introducing creative works of young artists to visitors. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5