THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A three-day seminar on Svetoslav Roerich’s Travancore connections, a painting exhibition by Russian and Indian artists and a painting competition for school children were organised here to mark the 144th birth anniversary of Russian painter Nikolai Roerich and 114th anniversary of his artist son Svetoslav Roerich.
Organised by the Russian Cultural Centre, poet Rose Mary inaugurated the art exhibition on October 24. “We will always remember the contributions of the Roerich family, not only to the fine arts but also in laying the foundation for Russian-Indian relations,’’ she said. Paintings by Larisa Puthushkova from Barnaul, Russia, and Pooja Kashyap and Ponmany Thomas from India were on display.
Artist and art director S Radhakrishnan inaugurated the seminar on Svetoslav’s Travancore connection. “Nikolai’s contribution was not confined to his paintings alone,” said Radhakrishnan.
His wife Elena Roerich popularised Agni Yoga. Svetoslav stayed in Thiruvananthapuram for almost one month where his association with the members of the royal family helped him learn more about the culture of south India,’’ he said.
The monument to Roerich and the road named after him in Thiruvananthapuram will help the new generation learn more about the contribution of the Roerich family, he said.
The paintings of both Nikolai and Svetoslav were not properly displayed at the art gallery in Thiruvananthapuram. Art lovers should take up the matter with the authorities concerned, he said.
Ratheesh Nair, Honorary Consul of Russia in Thiruvananthapuram and director, Russian Cultural Centre; writer and critic Pradeep Panagad also spoke on the occasion.