International Women’s Day Celebrated in the Himalayan Roerich Estate
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On 8 March, this wonderful spring day, in the Conference hall of the IMRT a photo exhibition was opened. The exhibition is dedicated to the amazing women of the Roerich family, Helena Roerich, an outstanding thinker, companion and inspirer of the Russian artist Nicholas Roerich, and Devika Rani – a wife, muse and assistant of the youngest son Svetoslav Roerich.
The honored guests of the exhibition were the women – members of the local Ladies Association from the village of Kharogi, located next to the Roerich Estate, headed by the President Mrs. Heera Devi. The Russian curator of IMRT, Mrs. Larisa V. Surgina, a representative of the International Center of the Roerichs (Moscow) in the Trust, led an excursion of the exhibition for the guests, noting that love, harmony, an atmosphere of creativity and mutual aid reigned in the Roerich family. Mrs. Heera Devi told that her parents who worked in the estate, during the lifetime of the senior Roerichs, met and got married here. She also remembered how, being a girl, she repeatedly met Svetoslav Roerich and Devika Rani on their walk, and she has kept these memories in her heart.
The Russian curator Mrs. Larisa V. Surgina congratulated the guests and staff gathered in the Conference Hall, and noted that, on the one hand, the tradition of celebrating Women's Day dates back to the ancient Rome, when in early March the homage was paid to the goddess Juno, as well as to every woman as the bearer of divine energy. And in India, when a girl is born, it is believed that the goddess of happiness Lakshmi comes to the family. But, on the other hand, this Day is connected with the struggle of women for their rights – and this aspect is extremely relevant in India, where the position of a woman is full of contradictions.
Mr. Ramesh Chandra, the Indian curator of the IMRT, spoke about this in his speech. He said that in India, International Women's Day is celebrated to remind of women's rights and necessity to solve their social problems. Of course, at present, women in India are in better position than before – they participate in leadership in the country, drive cars and airplanes, occupy important positions police and army, reach creative height in science and art. But, nevertheless, there are still many issues that need to be solved. The Indian curator expresses respect for all women of the valley and especially to Heera Devi and her Association for their active life position and tireless work.
Mrs. Hira Devi reminded that each single step starts from our home, and our first duty is to create purity and beauty in and around our home together with men. She also stressed the importance of taking care of girls, their upbringing and education. Mrs. Hira Devi finished her performance with a beautiful traditional song from the Kulu Valley, which was shared by all the women. Such songs are sung by women in all countries, enjoying the beauty around us, dreaming of love, peace and happiness for their children. And, despite the difference of languages, in their striving for a better future, women of the whole world understand each other.
As Nicholas Roerich wrote: “Women, it is you who are to weave and unfurl the banner of peace. You shall stand guard over the amelioration of life, you shall light at every hearth a beautiful fire, creative and inspiring. You shall tell your children the first word about beauty. You shall teach them the blessed Hierarchy of knowledge. You shall explain to the little ones the creative power of Thought. You can preserve them from disintegration and at the very beginning of their lives inculcate in them the meaning of heroism and self-sacrifice. You shall be the first to speak to the children of the advantages of spiritual values. You shall say the sacred word Culture.
A great and beautiful work is entrusted to you, Women. Greetings to you!”
