Svetoslav Roerich Memorial Day at the Roerich Estate in Naggar (India)
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The 30th of January, 2013 marked 20 years since the passing away of Svetoslav Roerich, remarkable artist, thinker, public figure and founder of the International Centre of the Roerichs (ICR) and the International Roerich Memorial Trust (India). On this day citizens of Naggar, administration representatives, employees of the International Roerich Memorial Trust (IRMT), members of the Russian Embassy in India and staff of the ICR working in India gathered in Kullu valley in the Himalayas in order to pay homage to the loved and loving son of two great countries – Russia and India.
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The function opened with the welcome address to the guests and participants. Mr. B.Kunal, IRMT manager, presented the welcome message of Mr. Sharabh Negi, DC Kullu. Mr. S.Karmalito, Senior Counselor of the Russian Embassy in India, delivered a speech in which he talked about the necessity of further development of the IRMT and the importance of the fulfillment of Svetoslav Roerich’s ideas. Svetoslav was born in Russia and remained Russian by birth and in his heart throughout his life. He passed away in India, a country that he loved dearly and considered his second motherland. Russia and India were united in his life, his art, his lightful paintings, his public activities and even in his private life – for nearly 50 years famous Indian actress Devika Rani, his beloved wife and loyal friend, stood by him. His artistic, multifaceted and eventful life became a bridge that connected Russia and India. Mrs. L.Surgina, Russian curator in the IRMT, presented a report and a slideshow on S.Roerich’s life and art.
Ms. T.Anisimova, employee of the ICR’s scientific library, spoke on book collection of the Roerichs and S.Roerich’s contribution to its preservation. At the moment she is working on systematization and registration of memorial books and magazines from the ‘Urusvati’ Institute collection.
Citizens of Naggar who knew Svetoslav in person shared their memories. Among them was Tsering Dorje, who worked at the Estate for many years, and Ashok Sharma, grandson of Vishnu Sharma, who served as S.Roerich’s manager for 50 years. Rajesh Tanvar told the audience about his grandfather Chet Ram Thakur, prominent Naggar citizen, who lived for 100 years and was a close friend of Svetoslav Roerich. All the memories about the great painter were filled with deep respect, reverence and love.
Inauguration of renovated exhibition at the Svetoslav Roerich memorial, situated at the painter’s summer studio down the hill from the Roerich House, became the second part of the function. Exposition that includes reproductions of Svetoslav’s paintings and archive photographs prepared by the ICR along with the new computer with a video program dedicated to the art of Svetoslav Roerich was gifted to the International Roerich Memorial Trust, Naggar by the International Centre-Museum named after Nicholas Roerich, Moscow.
Svetoslav Roerich Memorial Day, prepared and organized by joint work of Russian and Indian specialists at the Roerich Estate in India, marked a new stage in the life of the IRMT and the ICR – a stage of beneficial, constructive and fruitful cooperation.
