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The Roerichs: The Russian brushstroke on Indian soil

The Roerichs: The Russian brushstroke on Indian soil
In a quiet Himachali town lies a museum honouring a Russian family who reshaped Indian art, cinema, and culture, leaving a legacy celebrated from Parliament to the Padma Bhushan.
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Nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, in the small, serene town of Naggar in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, there exists an art museum dedicated to a Russian family. But why?

Arrival in India

Famous painter Nicholas Roerich and his wife Helena, a novelist, along with sons George and Svetoslav moved to India in 1923. The Roerich family left a deep cultural impact, not just on Himachal Pradesh, but on entire India.

Cultural and scientific legacy

They developed the Treaty on the Protection of Artistic and Scientific Institutions and Historic Monuments, aka the Roerich Pact, signed by 21 countries and also established the Urusvati Himalayan Research Institute. Svetoslav Roerich became an Indian citizen and settled down in Manali.

An artist in his own right

Svetoslav also became a painter of repute - whose work was exhibited throughout the country. His portraits of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi graced the walls of the Parliament Hall too.

The tempera technique

Svetoslav is said to have regularly used tempera, a distinct kind of paint that used egg yolk as the binding agent. It is believed that tempera dried faster, forcing the artist to work quickly and thus, reducing the margin for error.

A cinematic connection

Svetoslav married Devika Rani, dubbed ‘The first lady of the Indian screen’ and the co-founder of Bombay Talkies. She was Rabindranath Tagore’s niece.

His final home

Svetoslav moved to Bangalore, where he spent the majority of the second half of his life. He inaugurated the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath and donated 81 paintings that included some of his father as well.

Svetsolav was also conferred with the Padman Bhusan. He passed away in 1993 and in his final journey, his body was draped in the tri-colour, signifying his contribution to our nation.

*This article has been curated by Hook. All claims and opinions expressed belong to the original author. Hook does not verify or endorse the information presented and is not responsible for its accuracy.*

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