21.06.2014
Dr. Alena Adamkova
2002-2012 IRMT Executive Director/Curator

DEVELOPMENT REPORT
OF INTERNATIONAL ROERICH MEMORIAL TRUST
FROM 01.01.2002 TILL 08.09.2012

INTERNATIONAL ROERICH MEMORIAL TRUST
INTERNATIONAL ROERICH MEMORIAL TRUST
Hall Estate
Naggar, 175 130 Kullu distt.,
Himachal Pradesh
INDIA

CONTENTS

* * *

JOINT ACTIVITIES: IRMT & OTHER INSTITUTIONS

10-13th November 2009 - International Seminar "Nicholas Roerich - his Legacy & Quest" in New Delhi, under the aegis of University of Jamia Millia Islamia, Lalit Kala Academi, in collaboration with the IRMT, ICCR and other organizations.

Objective of the Seminar:

  • To comment on Roerich's legacy in the context of Religion & Art in his Banners for Peace series-"Pax Cultura-A Culture of Peace" and in the context of the geographical terrain he covered in his Great Journey (1923-1928).
  • To highlight the mission to save cultural artifacts from armed destruction and discuss Roerich's contribution to this movement through the Roerich Pact & the Hague Convention (1954) in view of contemporary national and international events.
  • To interpret the `co-existence' and `cultures of assimilation' in the light of Roerich's philosophical discoveries expressed in his paintings.

Two exhibitions - 'Central Asian Expedition of the Roerichs' and 'Banner of Peace' were shown to the public, the latter one inaugurated by the Hon'ble Chief Minister, NCT, Delhi, Smt. Sheila Dikshit.

Seminar was honored by presence of many renowned scholars, such as Sh.Karan Singh, President of the ICCR, H.E.Ambassador of the Russian Federation, Mr.A.M.Kadakin, Prof.Lokesh Chandra, President of the Indian Academy of Art; Sh.Ashok Vajpeyi, Head of Lalit Kala Academi, Prof. Madhavan Pallat, Prof. Goswami, Buddhist lamas, all of whom contributed to the creative atmosphere of the Seminar. Less known aspects of N.Roerich's life and activities were thoroughly illumined by the representatives of many world Roerich societies.

Preparation, organization of the exhibitions and seminar were carried out by Dr. Manju Kak (Faculty of Fine Arts, Jamia Milia Islamia University) and Dr Alena Adamkova, ED, IRMT.

12th March till April 11, 2010 - Exhibition: "Nicholas Roerich, An Eternal Quest" at the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi

Ministry of Culture, Government of India and National Gallery of Modern Art organized an exhibition titled "Nicholas Roerich: An Eternal Quest" to commemorate the state visit of H.E. Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister of the Russian Federation to India.

Exhibition showcased 75 original works of Nicholas Roerich brought from the International Centre of Roerichs, Moscow, Russia; IRMT, Naggar; Allahabad Museum; Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery; Bharat Kala Bhavan, Varanasi. Exhibition lasted for one month and was a great success. It was curated by Prof. Rajeev Lochan, Director,NGMA, and Dr A.Adamkova, Director, IRMT Naggar.

13th till 18th November 2010. 'UNITY IN DIVERSITY' - Himalayan Institute of Goodwill and Living Ethics, Darjeeling organized GOODWILL WEEK in connection with the 75th Anniversary of the Roerich Pact and the United Nation Year of Biodiversity. Mr A.V.Mazirka, Vice-consul of the Russian Embassy, Kolkata, and Dr Alena Adamkova, Executive Director, IRMT Naggar were the chief guests of the function. Week long program included inauguration of the Art Exhibition: "Nicholas & Svetoslav Roerich, painters of Kanchenjunga"; cultural programme; Art competitions; Science meetings; inter-religious meeting and the Citizens Forum with the aim to foster a Synthesis of Cultures in Darjeeling.

13.03.2011 till 18.03.2011. REGIONAL PAINTERS CAMP HELD AT THE IRMT NAGGAR (Organized by Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, LAC department, Govt. of H.P. & IRMT Naggar)

Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, LAC dept. Govt. of H.P. and IRMT organized Regional Painters camp. 11 artists from Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Delhi participated at the camp. Function with rich cultural program has been organized during the camp.

KULLU DUSSEHRA - INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF FOLK DANCES

Kullu Dussehra - an annual festival, associated with the victory of Light over the dark forces described in the ancient book of Mahabharata. Kullu valley is the Valley of Gods. Where if not here, the victory of Light should be celebrated so fervently? And so, all local Gods and Goddesses come out from their hilly hamlets and 'travel' on the shoulders of their devotees all the way to Kullu, where they all assemble at the main square of the city. Here they stay till the end of Dussehra.

And at the Dhalpur open air amphitheater famous Dussehra International folk dance festival is going on for the whole week. Best groups and ensembles from around India, and sometimes from abroad perform at the stage every evening. Thousands of people are coming to see this feast of Cultural performances.

KULLU DUSSEHRA - INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF FOLK DANCES

Executive Director/Curator of the Roerich Trust, Dr. A.Adamkova was time to time requested by the Deputy Commissioner, Kullu to invite inspiring foreign ensembles for this festival. Thus, in 2004, folk ensemble 'Yarmanka' from Altai, Russia performed at Dussehra; in 2009 in cooperation with Mrs Natalya Pivovarova, President of the 'Assembly of continental cultures' and Altai region authorities, Russia, vocal & choreography ensemble 'SIBERIAN VECHIORKI' gave an inspiring performance; in 2010 - Kazakhstan youth folk dance ensemble "INSPIRATION"; in 2011 three bright ensembles were brought for the festival: National folk dance ensembles 'Image' (Kaluga city),"Rainbow" (Voronezh city) from Russia, and another dance ensemble came from South America - from Brazil. Artists from the well-known 'Mandaia' music group and two Capoeira experts performed a dialogue between "Chorinho" (Brazilian popular music instrumental style) and "Capoeira" (Brazilian traditional martial art that combines movement, rhythm and music), giving to the assembled people absolutely unique opportunity to witness the art of this far away Latin American country.

Each time these ensembles were further performing in some other cities of Himachal Pradesh - Barmana, Darlaghat and Shimla (in a reconstructed, famous Gaiety Theatre), as well as in Chandigarh and Delhi.

2004

Folk ensemble 'Yarmanka' from Altai, Russia performs at Kullu Dussehra on 29.10.2004

Folk ensemble 'Yarmanka' from Altai, Russia performs at Kullu Dussehra
Folk ensemble 'Yarmanka' from Altai, Russia performs at Kullu Dussehra
Public at the festival Honorable Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sh.Virbhadra Singh enjoys 'Yarmanka' performance
Special performance of 'Yarmanka' after the festival, Altai gifts for the Head of the State, and of course, photos with the ensemble for good memory

2009

Laureate of the international and Russian competitions, vocal & choreography ensemble 'SIBERIAN VECHIORKI'- a professional dance and vocal group established in Barnaul, the capital of Altai region of Russia about 20 years ago. 'Vechiorki' ensemble is most loved in Altai, performing at the various stages of the region. Group performs also in other cities of the entire Russia, as well as in Europe. Members of the ensemble are not only performers, but also scholars - they are passionate about research of folk nuances of different ethnic groups that inhabit the ancient land of Altai. This adds to the charm of their performances, which is not strictly academic, but alive, energetic and innovative.

Performance of the 'Vechiorki' Altai ensemble at Kullu Dussehra on the 1st and 2nd October 2009

2010

'INSPIRATION'- RENOWNED YOUTH DANCE ENSEMBLE, KAZAKHSTAN, established in 1991 in the city of Temirtau by Mme. Margarita Chistiakova, a renowned pedagogue and Art Director. Ensemble achieved a lot of success both in the national and international level, they became Laureates of the International Festivals 'Bodrum', Turkey 2000; 'Star Rain', Germany and 'Slavonic Bazar', Bielorussia 2002; 'Fomged', Turkey 2004; of the International competition 'Open Europe', Moscow, Russia2005; 'Hopes of Europe', Sochi 2006; of the All Russia competition 'Rose of the Winds', Sochi 2008; of the International competition in Slovakia'; Mordovia 2009; 'Viatsk roundabout', Kirov, Russia 2010. Ensemble is 12 times holder of Gran-pri awards at the international youth festivals. The group that performed at Dussehra, is the middle age group (14 to 16 years), they presented the choreographic compositions of different world nations.

The group at the Dussehra festival   with DC Kullu, B.M.Nanta
The group at the Dussehra festival with DC Kullu, B.M.Nanta
With the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sh. Prem Kumar Dhumal at Shimla Gaiety Theatre
With the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sh. Prem Kumar Dhumal at Shimla Gaiety Theatre

2011

National folk dance ensembles 'Image' (Kaluga city) and "Rainbow" (Voronezh city) from Russia. Ensemble 'Image' performed earlier on the stages of Europe, Russia and Asia, and is a holder of many prestigious awards of various international youth festivals. During the concert they presented dances of different nations, as well as the classical ballet choreographic compositions and waltz dance. Besides the dances, guests also appreciated accordion items performed by Laureate of the international competitions, Yevgeniy Kunakovskiy.

Another dance ensemble came as far as from South America - from Brazil. Artists from the well-known 'Mandaia' music group and two Capoeira experts performed a dialogue between "Chorinho" (Brazilian popular music instrumental style) and "Capoeira" (Brazilian traditional martial art that combines movement, rhythm and music), giving to the assembled people absolutely unique opportunity to witness the art of this far away Latin American country. It goes without saying, that it was first time ever that Brazil Art was performed at the Kullu valley…

Russian folk dance ensembles performed on 6th October, and the Brazil group on the 11th October. Both the concerts were enjoyed very much by the assembled guests.

Dr Adamkova and Sheru Baba announce the performance of 'Mandaia' music group, dancer Isabela Pimentel Saffe and 'Capoeira' masters from Brazil cultural team
Dr Adamkova and Sheru Baba announce the performance of 'Mandaia' music group, dancer Isabela Pimentel Saffe and 'Capoeira' masters from Brazil cultural team