To last two days, the show is part of birth centennials of a world-renowned artist (1904-1993), who spent a greater part of his long life in India.
Russian by birth, Svyatoslav Roerich was a genuine Indian to symbolise a deep cultural interpenetration of the two great countries, said Mr. Tyagarajan, university Vice-Chancellor (Rector). He called for ever-closer Indian-Russian cultural, research and artistic contacts.
Svyatoslav Roerich spent half of his life in Tataguni, his country property near Bangalore. He honourably represented his family, who came as a bridge between Russia and India. This month, just as the entire year, is dedicated to the Roerichs. Today's show demonstrates the contribution of the illustrious Russian artist and thinker to the Roerich and the two nations' cultural heritage, said Mikhail Mgeladze, Russian Consul-General in Madras.
The artist's memorial house in Tataguni was opened in a gala, October 17, after thorough repairs, announced Alexei Solodov.
As artist and community activist, Svyatoslav Roerich won the Padma Bhushan (Order of the Lotus), one of India's highest state awards. Of the Indian Prime Ministers' portraits that adorn the parliamentary conference hall, two-Jawaharlal Nehru's and Indira Gandhi's-came from his brush.
An international art festival timed to the Roerich celebrations opened in a gala today at the Police Grounds stadium in Bangalore's heart.
The Svyatoslav Roerich Days will finish, October 27, with an Indian-Russian public conference. Spokesmen of the Russian-based International Roerich Memorial Centre will take part, says Mr. Solodov.
This year is eventful with Roerich-related red-letter dates-the 130th Nicholas Roerich birth anniversary, the 125th of Elena Roerich his wife, the birth centenary of Svyatoslav their son, and the 15th establishment anniversary of the Roerich Memorial Centre.
