The Governor of Himachal Pradesh (India) visited the International Roerich Memorial Trust
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9th of November 2020 His Excellency The Honorable Governor of Himachal Pradesh Mr. Bandaru Dattatreya escorted by Deputy Commissioner of District Kullu – cum – Director of the IRMT Dr. Richa Verma and other officials visited International Roerichs Memorial Trust. Indian Curator of the IRMT Ramesh Chandra and Russian Curator Larisa Surgina who works for the Trust in the direction of the International Centre of the Roerichs (Moscow) gave the honored guests a tour around the Roerichs Estate.
His Excellency Mr. Bandaru Dattatreya visited the memorial Estate of the great Russian Artist for the first time and demonstrated genuine interest to the Roerichs heritage. The guests spent some time at the bronze busts of Nicholas and Helena Roerichs and then went to the Roerich Art Gallery. The paintings made a deep impression on the Governor. He was watching shining Himalayan summits and passes in the paintings of Nicholas Roerich for a long time. Also he was photographed with the paintings of Svetoslav Roerich Portrait of N.K. Roerich and Gaddi Girl.
Attention of the Governor was attracted by an archive photo of Nicholas Roerich and Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime-minister of Independent India who was on a visit to the Roerichs Estate in 1942 with his daughter Indira. It was then that basis of friendship and collaboration between Russia and India was established during hearty talks and discussing collective plans of creating Indo-Russian Cultural Association.
At the modern time the Roerichs heritage in Kullu Valley was under great attention of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the former Prime Minister of India, the outstanding statesman with the heart of a philosopher and a poet.
It is noted that Nicholas Roerich even today is deeply regarded in India as Maharishi – a great man of wisdom, master and holy man.
Mr. Dattatreya was attentively visiting memorial rooms on the first floor of the Roerichs House, gently looking through the books and manuscripts from the memorial library of the Roerichs. He showed profound interest to a story about Urusvati Institute, created by the Roerichs in Kullu, about Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace that reflects an idea of synthesis of art, science and religion within the circle of Culture.
The Governor left splendid words in the Visitor’s Book that must be shown all in all:
“I am very impressed after visiting Nicholas Roerich Art Gallery. The History and Archeology of the Beautiful Himalayas have been beautifully preserved by his family’s art.
He preserved the beauty of the Indian Culture Heritage since 1929. It is very remarkable and inspiring.
The entire country should know the importance of this place and I urge the authorities to provide all possible help in maintaining the serenity of their beauty.
I also salute the reserve of the Russian team for dedicating their lives in maintaining this memorizing place and heritage.
Bandaru Dattatreya, 9/11/2020.”
At the end His Excellency wrote in Russian “Spasibo” (Thank you).
The visit and tour around the memorial Museum-Estate of the Roerichs by the Governor of Himachal Pradesh symbolizes importance of preserving the Roerichs heritage in Kullu as a part of the worldwide cultural heritage.
The team of International Roerichs Memorial Trust has high hopes that the visit of His Excellence will contribute to further development of International Roerichs Memorial Trust and strengthening cultural relations between our nations.
