Conference ‘Maharishi Nicholas Roerich, Great Friend of India’ at the Roerich Estate in Naggar
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On 10-11 October, the International Roerich Memorial Trust hosted an international scientific and public Conference entitled 'Maharishi Nicholas Roerich, a Great Friend of India'. The Conference was organised by the IRMT in collaboration with the International Centre of the Roerichs (Moscow) and constituted part of the Festival commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of the celebrated Russian artist, philosopher, scientist and public figure.
It is noteworthy that the event was held at the Roerichs' estate in Naggar, situated in the Himalayas, where the artist resided for approximately two decades. From this remote mountain village, communication extended to global cultural and scientific hubs, as well as to esteemed contemporaries of Nicholas Roerich. Despite its inaccessibility, the village became a site of frequent pilgrimage, reflecting the profound interest in meeting in person Maharishi Roerich, a great friend of India and beyond.
The Conference commenced with opening remarks by the Indian and Russian Curators of IRMT. Mr Suresh Kumar, Indian Curator, in his address, extended a warm welcome to all the speakers and participants of the Festival and expressed his profound gratitude to Mrs Natalia Cherkashina, Vice-President of the ICR, who graced the occasion as an honoured guest and active participant. He observed that for many years the International Centre of the Roerichs has been providing invaluable support to the IRMT, participating in festivals and conferences. Without the efforts of the Russian side, much would not have been possible.
Mrs Larisa Surgina, the Russian Curator of the IRMT and an employee of the ICR, noted that, being a true Russian by birth and spirit, Nicholas Roerich was able to understand with great insight the spiritual life of India, to touch the most ancient roots of its culture. He resonated with India, attuned to its profound rhythms and traditions, embracing the tenets espoused by the Rishis, the saints and sages of this land. The ancient spiritual knowledge of India constituted the foundation for the development of the Teachings of Living Ethics, or Agni Yoga. The Roerichs played an instrumental role in this process, and the ideas espoused by this system are reflected in the artist's work. It is unsurprising that, even during Nicholas Roerich's lifetime in India, he was referred to as 'Maharishi', meaning 'Great Sage', in recognition of his esteemed position among the local population.
A special greeting was received from the organisers of the international annual research expedition 'Himalaya', represented by Irina Arkhipova, Ambassador of Culture of the Women's Union of Russia, author of the project 'In Search of Lost Knowledge', founder and producer of the historical film studio 'Faraon', and Rinad Minvaleev, Russian scientist, physiologist, orientalist, professor of St. Petersburg State University. They highlighted the role of the Russian-Indian Festival of Culture in fostering mutual understanding and respect between different cultures, as well as the continued impact of the Roerichs' contributions to world culture in promoting the ideals of Living Ethics. The researchers expressed their gratitude to the respected curators of the IRMT, Mr Suresh Kumar and Mrs Larisa Surgina, for their contributions to the preservation of the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Roerich family over many years.
Subsequently, Olga Karaseva, an employee of the ICR, moderator and translator of the conference, invited Harsh Inder Lumba, an Indian artist and senior research fellow at the Ministry of Culture of India, to take the floor. Harsh Lumba became one of the laureates of the commemorative medal of the International Center of the Roerichs "150 Years of N.K.Roerich". The medal was solemnly presented to the artist by the ICR Vice-President N.N.Cherkashina.
The title of Harsh Lumba’s presentation was in alignment with the overarching theme of the conference, which was "Maharishi Nicholas Roerich, Great Friend of India." In her report, the artist underscored the profound impact of India on the artist's life and work, tracing its origins from his early fascination with the philosophical teachings and cultural heritage of India, his close friendship with Rabindranath Tagore and other prominent Indian contemporaries, to the significant influence of the Himalayas on Roerich's worldview. The Himalayas occupy a unique position within Indian traditions, serving as the abode of saints and a site of divine manifestation. The events described in the Mahabharata are believed to have occurred in this region, and the legends of the Rishi sages, who are said to have imparted philosophical teachings to humanity, continue to be associated with this area. It is noteworthy that the Himalayas became the home and source of inspiration for Nicholas Roerich. His lifetime title, 'Maharishi', is a testament to his significant contributions to Indian and global culture. The artist's endeavours, his life, his thoughts and his actions resonate with the qualities attributed to the legendary Himalayan sages, the Rishis.
In her report, "Paintings of Nicholas Roerich as an Artistic Commentary on the Philosophical System of the Living Ethics," Natalia Cherkashina, Vice-President of the ICR, Moscow, Director of the Non-Governmental Museum named after Nicholas Roerich, also addresses the concept of "rishi." She observed that the term "rishi" is exclusively applied to the ancient sages of India, who created under the guidance of the Supreme Being and are the foundation of the country's cultural traditions and philosophical systems. In the present era, individuals who may be considered modern sages are referred to by a variety of names, including sadhu, pandit, baba-ji, and swami. Nevertheless, Nicholas Roerich was bestowed with the title 'Maharishi' – Great Rishi, great sage – during his lifetime, as a result of his role as a principal figure in the development of a new philosophical tradition – Living Ethics, or Agni Yoga – which was guided by the teachings of eminent teachers. Natalia Cherkashina observed that Roerich possessed a distinctive aptitude: his capacity to discern the contours of the past with remarkable precision and to evoke these in his paintings with such fidelity that it seemed as though he himself had been present at the scene of events. A considerable number of the artist's canvases have been identified as visionary in nature. At the time of their creation, neither the artist nor his wife, Helena Roerich, were aware of the significance of these paintings; this was only revealed at a later date. The paintings "The Treasure of Angels," "Masters of the Netherworld," and "The Book of the Dove," created by Nicholas Roerich during his time in Russia, exemplify this phenomenon.
They were created long before the Roerichs met the Masters of the East, who are symbolically represented in the painting "Masters of the Netherworld", long before the Roerichs received the Stone, about which the painting "The Treasure of the Angels" speaks, and before the appearance of the Teaching of the Living Ethics, written down in co-operation with the Great Teachers, about which the painting "The Book of the Dove" symbolically testifies.
The Teacher, the Book and the Stone formed the meaning and content of Nicholas Roerich's life and work. In his works, the artist also refers to the concept of Shambhala, which is sacred to the East. He was the first Western artist to depict in his paintings the hidden fortress, the abode of the Great Brothers of humanity. It is from this land that the help, knowledge, prophecies and warnings needed by mankind come at all times. Roerich symbolically depicts this process of connecting the Reserved Land with the human world in a series of paintings with the word 'Shambhala' in their titles. Although the artist's creative legacy is scattered in many galleries around the world, his paintings, united by one concept - the concept of cosmic evolution - continue to fulfil their mission: to prepare humanity for the coming of the New Era.
The report by Dr Meeta Narain, Professor (retd.) at the Centre for Russian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, was dedicated to her experience in creating an illustrated book, entitled 'Roerich's World in Poetry', which includes translations of Roerich's poetic cycles into two languages, Hindi and English, by the author. The book was formally presented by Meeta Narain on 9 October at the opening ceremony of the Festival, held at the IRMT's Green Theatre.
In her presentation at the Conference, the author outlined the challenges associated with translating Roerich's poetic cycles and the strategies employed to overcome these challenges. She also discussed the process of selecting illustrations for specific poems. The distinctive feature of Dr Meeta Narain's publishing venture is that it marks the inaugural instance of Roerich's poetic works being accessible to a broad readership in three languages – Russian, English and Hindi – in a single edition, featuring illustrations by N. Roerich himself, the creator of the poetic cycles. Currently, Meeta Narain is engaged in further endeavours pertaining to the literary legacy of the eminent Russian artist.
The Centre for Russian Studies of Jawaharlal Nehru University (Delhi) was represented at the Conference by a further report authored by Dr Ashutosh Anand, Associate Professor of the School of Language, Literature and Cultural Studies, and his colleague, Research Fellow Ms Jyoti Kumari. In their report, entitled 'Nicholas Roerich: a veritable ambassador of universal harmony', the scholars addressed the milestones of the journey of the great Russian artist, thinker and traveller.
The report commenced with a quotation from the Indian artist Abanindranath Tagore, nephew of Rabindranath Tagore. Tagore observed that the pen and brush of Nicholas Roerich have earned a place in the annals of world culture. The artist employs a universal language of beauty in both his paintings and literary works, which can be readily understood by any intellectually sophisticated individual. Both his painting and essay-writing demonstrate the artist's vision to be integral and sincere, with the former possessing a unique capacity to convey wisdom and guidance. The authors of the report addressed the continued relevance of Roerich's legacy in the modern era. Among the organisations engaged in the study and promotion of Roerich's legacy, the International Centre of the Roerichs in Moscow is accorded a leading role. The report makes mention of the particular significance of India in the context of the artist's oeuvre, as well as the importance of his work for India as a nation. The art of N.Roerich, imbued with universal spiritual and humanistic values, has become a potent instrument of cultural diplomacy between India and Russia.
In her paper, "Nicholas Roerich as an Artist and Spiritual Person," Sadhna Sangar, an artist, President and Founder of the "We" group of Indian contemporary women artists, draws attention to the philosophical component of Roerich's work, particularly the aspects of Indian philosophy and culture that are evident in his paintings and literary works. Ms. Sangar is a member of the Sangit Natak Akademi (Chandigarh) and the Punjab State Government Arts Council, as well as a Yoga Master. The author of the presentation noted that Roerich's spirituality was of a universal nature. He did not confine himself to a single religion or philosophical tradition. Instead, he depicted a range of figures from different religious and philosophical traditions, including the Mother of the World, Christ, Mohammed, Buddha, and Lao Tzu. The artist, as the author asserts, espoused the view that spiritual traditions are interconnected and that all cultures and peoples are related. The notion of cultural unity, the highest spiritual values and the most outstanding achievements of all humanity renders his legacy particularly pertinent in the present era.
The inaugural session of the conference concluded with a brief musical interlude, comprising Tibetan singing bowls, conducted by Sadhna Sangar and another artist from Chandigarh, Simrit Luthra.
The second day of the Conference commenced with a video presentation by Natalia Bazhenova (Kazakhstan), Deputy Head of the Nicholas Roerich Cultural Centre, Head of the Applied Arts Department of Kazakhstan of the A. Kasteev State Museum of Fine Arts of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and member of the Union of Artists of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The focus of her report was the influence of N. Roerich's personality on the work of the Kazakh artist Botagoz Nurpeisova. The report was introduced by Vadim Akhtyamov, a member of the Nicholas Roerich Cultural Centre, chairman of the Almaty Cultural Support Fundation 'Heart of Asia', and a member of the group of volunteers of the International Centre of the Roerichs. Vadim Khanifovich observed that it is a matter of pride for Kazakhstan's cultural organisations that a significant portion of the renowned Central Asian Expedition led by Nicholas Roerich traversed the country's territory. Additionally, he observed that the work of this esteemed artist and thinker had a profound impact on numerous prominent figures, including Botagoz Nurpeisova.
In her report, Natalia Bazhenova discussed various aspects of the creative universe of the gifted Kazakh artist. She highlighted the significant influence of Nicholas Roerich, his art, and his philosophy within this universe. The artist regarded him as a pivotal mentor. Among her paintings, the artist produced notable portraits of Nicholas and Svetoslav Roerichs, characterised by a distinctive inner luminosity, precision, and purity. The art of Botagoz Nurpeisova was inextricably linked to her profound affinity for India, encompassing its rich cultural heritage, enduring traditions, and contemplative philosophies. It is regrettable that the artist's life was cut short at the age of 65. However, her art, which serves as an enduring tribute to beauty, continues to endure and occupies a unique position in the cultural landscape of Kazakhstan and the world.
In her report, Elena Ashikova, an artist and a teacher, member of the family club 'Semitsvetik', discussed the influence of the living example and philosophical ideas of Nicholas Roerich on her life and on her pedagogical activity. Elena's parents had the opportunity to meet with Svetoslav Roerich, the artist's youngest son, in person. These encounters had a significant impact on the subsequent lives and creative output of the Ashikov family. In their family club, ‘Semitsvetik’, they endeavour to operationalise the ideas of the eminent Roerich family, integrating them into the process of child rearing and education. The participants of the studio undertake travel to a variety of countries worldwide, visiting museums, historical sites and cultural monuments. This facilitates the formation of a dynamic connection with the traditions and cultures of diverse nations. The humanistic values espoused by the Roerich family inform the educational system of the family club 'Semitsvetik', enabling its members to foster in the younger generation a keen interest in scientific and artistic activities, as well as respect for a variety of cultures and philosophical systems. Furthermore, the system cultivates students' subtle feelings and creative abilities, which facilitate their understanding of the universal language of Culture.
Dmitry Deliukin, a research associate at the Museum-Institute of the Roerich Family (St. Petersburg), presented a report on the philosophical and natural-scientific aspects of Nicholas Roerich's paintings, with the painting 'Mother of the World' serving as a case study. The author draws parallels between the composition and iconography of the painting, which was created by Roerich in Sikkim in 1924, and Buddhist art. In particular, he compares the painting with the thangkas (Buddhist icons on cloth) depicting the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. The painting, entitled 'Mother of the World', was created during the Roerich family's visits to monasteries and Buddhist shrines. In Buddhist iconography, the white lotus throne on which bodhisattvas sit is frequently regarded as a symbol of the Moon. It can be reasonably assumed that the throne depicted in the painting 'Mother of the World' also has such a significance. The author makes an intriguing observation that at certain moments the Earth's magnetosphere, extending towards the Moon, resembles the figure of a guardian angel, while its other part resembles an anthropomorphic head, positioned at an inclination reminiscent of the inclination of the Virgin Mary's head in iconographic compositions.
A halo surrounding Oriflamma's head resembles the circle of the sun. The painting can be interpreted as an illustration of the Sun-Earth-Moon system, which also resonates with the concept of the three worlds: the physical world associated with the Earth, the subtle world associated with the Moon, and the fiery world associated with the Sun. This triple system is encapsulated in the symbolism of the Banner of Peace, which is situated at the centre of the canvas. Dmitry Deliukin observes that the painting 'Mother of the World' employs a multiplicity of symbolic systems, including those pertaining to the natural sciences. The canvas provides insight into the human condition, elucidating our identity, our lived experiences, and our future trajectory.
Subsequently, Alvils Hartmanis, the Head of the Latvian Roerich Society (Riga), delivered a presentation themed “The Roerichs in Naggar and their Society in Riga”. He proceeded to elucidate the fascinating history of the Riga Society, one of the most venerable Roerich societies, and expounded upon the profound connection between the Society members and Naggar, the abode of the Roerich family's life, cultural, and educational pursuits. From this locale, they engaged in a prolific exchange of correspondence with a multitude of cultural and educational institutions and Roerich societies across the globe, including the Latvian Roerich Society in Riga.
The history of the Latvian Society can be traced back to 1920, when Vladimir Shibaev, a native of Riga, was inspired by a meeting with the Roerich family in London. During this encounter, he was particularly drawn to the art of Nicholas Roerich, the ideas of Living Ethics, and Eastern philosophy. Upon returning to his hometown, he resolved to establish a circle of like-minded individuals, dedicated to exploring the tenets of Eastern philosophy and theosophy. From 1921 onwards, the circle was under the direct leadership of N.Roerich. On 13 October 1930, the official opening of the Latvian Roerich Society took place, nine years after the circle's inception. From its inception, the Society has been engaged in significant endeavours, including the organisation of exhibitions and the publication of books. A regular exchange of correspondence was maintained between members of the Society and members of the Roerich family in Naggar. This ceased only in the 1940s, prior to the Second World War, due to the prevailing circumstances in Europe. The Society's ties were severed, resulting in a temporary cessation of its activities. Following a period of inactivity, the Society resumed its activities in 1988 and has continued to pursue its cultural, educational and publishing objectives.
On behalf of the Latvian Roerich Society, Mr Alvils Hartmanis presented the Roerich Memorial Trust with a valuable gift: a postal envelope sent on 1 March 1938 from Naggar to Riga, containing a letter from N. Roerich to the Chairman of the Latvian Roerich Society, Richard Rudzitis. Consequently, the envelope, which had originated in India and subsequently made its way to Latvia, returned to Naggar in India, thus completing a circuit of space and time. The valuable exhibit will constitute a valuable addition to the museum collection of the International Roerich Memorial Trust.
Dr Olga Karaseva, research associate of the ICR, commenced her presentation with an overview of Naggar. It was observed that Roerich's personality, art and philosophy exerted a profound influence on the Indian intelligentsia of the 1930s and 1940s. Naggar was incorporated into the cultural map of India, and a great many students, artists, scientists, writers and public figures travelled there. Many of them left behind written accounts of their experiences, such as Mulk Raj Anand, a prominent Indian writer and social activist. The life and work of Bengali painter Bireshwar Sen underwent a significant transformation following his introduction to the Russian artist. M.S. Randhawa, the author of numerous articles on the life and work of Bireshwar Sen and Svetoslav Roerich, was also an ardent admirer of Nicholas Roerich's oeuvre. In his published work, the author provides numerous examples of the impact of Roerich's personality.
A review of the biographies of artists from that period reveals numerous instances of their close engagement with Nicholas Roerich. In addition to esteeming his artistic contributions, they also held him in high regard for his exemplary moral character. The residence of the Roerichs in Naggar was referred to as an ashram. M.S. Randhawa, a writer, scientist, and collector of traditional paintings from the Punjab and Western Himalayas, was connected with the Russian artist by an extramural friendship. Randhawa attended numerous exhibitions held by Roerich, including those in Lahore, London, and New York. It had been intended that he should meet Roerich at an exhibition in Delhi in 1947; however, a week before the exhibition was scheduled to open, Roerich passed away. Subsequent to the demise of the artist, Randhawa proceeded to visit the Roerichs' estate. O. Karaseva provided insightful information about Naggar, which Randhawa references in his account of his journey to the residence of the two artists, as he refers to Naggar. It seems reasonable to posit that the Roerichs were aware of these facts, and that their decision to settle in Naggar was not arbitrary. A description of Naggar during the Roerichs' tenure offers insights into the lives of this prominent Russian family and the atmosphere in which they lived.
The Conference concluded with Tamara Merges' presentation, entitled "The Festival ‘The Roerichs' Realm’: the Roerich Family through the Eyes of Children and Youth." Since 2017, Tamara Merges has been heading a group of volunteers of the International Centre of the Roerichs (Moscow) and is the coordinator of the children's and youth festival 'Russia-India: from Heart to Heart', which was initiated at the Roerichs' memorial estate in Naggar. In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Nicholas Roerich, the International Centre of the Roerichs (Moscow) organised the international festival 'Roerichs' Realm', scheduled to coincide with the anniversary dates of the distinguished Russian family and informed by the experience of the children's and youth festival of previous years. N. Cherkashina, Vice-President of the International Centre of the Roerichs (Moscow), assumed the role of President of the Festival. New nominations were approved for the festival 'Roerichs' Realm', which included not only the visual arts, but also artistic text and scientific research. Both the youngest participants and students from art schools and the Stieglitz Academy took part in the competitions. On 29 February 2024, the first event of the festival - the international exhibition 'Master of Mountains', dedicated to the 150th anniversary of N.Roerich, was inaugurated at the Academy named after A.L.Stieglitz.
Lyudmila Kirsanova, Professor of the Academy, delivered a video address on the present conference in which she discussed the long-standing collaboration between the Stieglitz Academy and the IRMT. She highlighted the participation of the children of the Kullu Valley in numerous exhibitions held at the Academy, as well as the presentation of the Academy's students' works at exhibitions held by the Roerich Trust on multiple occasions. L.Kirsanova observed that this year the festival, entitled 'Roerichs' Realm', had attracted participants from over 30 countries worldwide, with the number of young artists exceeding 750. The inauguration of the exhibition, entitled 'Master of the Mountains', in St. Petersburg preceded the commencement of the extensive international festival, which commenced on 9 October in the Kullu Valley at the International Roerich Memorial Trust. In her address, Ludmila Kirsanova conveyed greetings from Roerich's homeland, St. Petersburg, the city on the Neva River, to Naggar where the artist spent the last 20 years of his life.
In addition to the Stieglitz Academy, the exhibition was organised at the N.Roerich School of Art, situated in close proximity to the Roerichs' estate, "Izvara", near St. Petersburg and at the Rabindranath Tagore School in St. Petersburg. On 5 October, the exhibition of the winning works from the Roerichs' Realm Festival was inaugurated at the Roerichs' Himalayan estate, symbolically uniting Russia and India, two countries held in high regard by the Roerichs, through the bright creativity of children and youth.
The second and final day of the Conference concluded with a tour of the exhibition at the Helena Roerich Academy of Arts.
At the end of the Conference, the attendees exchanged gifts, and the Indian and Russian Сurators of the International Roerich Memorial Trust, on behalf of the IRMT, presented certificates of participation in the Festival dedicated to Maharishi Nicholas Roerich to all Conference participants.
The papers presented at the Conference demonstrated the profound impact of the life, work, and ideas of the Russian Maharishi Roerich, a revered sage, friend of India, scientist, artist, on his contemporaries and on contemporary scientists, artists, and educators. It is challenging to overstate the extent of this influence. The artist's unwavering advocacy for the preservation of cultural values, his vision of peace through culture, and his insights on the cosmic evolution of humanity, as articulated in his artistic, literary, and epistolary works, are gaining increasing relevance. As evidenced by the reports of the Conference participants, the legacy of this eminent artist remains a subject of scientific inquiry, and his principles continue to resonate and be actualized.
