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February 27, 2010 11:01

House Roerich

saved from death Roerich in the South Indian city of Bangalore in need of urgent conversion to a museum, or to talk about his future is difficult

Bangalore. February 27. INTERFAX.RU - famous Roerich Tataguni, located on the outskirts of the South Indian city of Bangalore, "escaped death, but urgently needs to be turned into a museum, believes Russia's ambassador to India, Alexander Kadakin.

"For the first time in many years, I left Tataguni without heaviness in his heart, because convinced that his farm is now maintained in perfect order - said Kadakin, who visited the estate on Friday. - But it is all kept on the enthusiasm of the true devotees, meanwhile, analyzed their archived Materials should be the foundation of permanent museum display, - he said. - It is also important to urgently address the restoration of the most affected paintings of Svetoslav Roerich. Fortunately, many of them. The remaining canvases require only a few "cosmetic care for refreshment."

Throughout the long years of unique estate is threatened total loss of its cultural and spiritual treasures, they have gathered Svetoslav Roerich and his famous wife, the first Indian movie star, Devika Rani. During a half-decade-long litigation over Tataguni. Former secretary of the family is trying by hook or by crook to defend his questionable right to inherit the outstanding Russian artist and thinker. And most of that time the mansion was virtually abandoned, gradually coming to a complete desolation.

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Things began to change only when Russia's side and the Indian public raised the alarm after learning that the estate is literally pulled apart into pieces. "The previous government of Karnataka, headed by the current Minister of Foreign Affairs Somanahalli Mallayya Krishna, done a lot in order to convert the former homestead in the memorial, museum and cultural center of international importance", - said Kadakin.

On his impressions, Krishna, who is now co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation, left in Bangalore "big hurt". An invaluable contribution to the preservation of cultural and spiritual heritage have made indifferent enthusiasts - Nile Mandzhunath, the Commissioner of the historical and architectural heritage of the state and state managing Roerich "Tataguni" from the administration of Karnataka, Nudzhib Ahmed. "The house where they lived Roerich, a workshop, where he worked as a painter and his paintings were - it all cleaned and put in order. Archival materials, including correspondence, photographs, carefully codified, - says the ambassador. - In perfect condition, and a marble memorial, where rest Svyatoslav and Devika. Even the lake on the estate is now filled with water, although more recently it was thought that it dries and is doomed to destruction.

"Through the efforts of these highly educated people laid the foundation of the museum exhibit - said Kadakin - but there was still everything related to the ongoing litigation. The litigation makes it impossible to open the farm for tourists."

As the final verdict on this case yet, under arrest are paintings of Svetoslav Roerich and many valuable things. During his visit to Bangalore, Russia's ambassador visited paintings, which were transferred to the custody of the funds of the National Art Gallery.

"In general, their condition is satisfactory. Moreover, proceeding from the fragmentary information that we receive, I expected it to be much worse. However, more time can not be overlooked. In principle, the Indian law is a clause allowing now to begin restoration work, but it requires a determined effort to deal headway. Russia has fully prepared for this, there is also a tentative agreement with local sponsors, who wish to provide financial assistance ", - said Kadakin.

As the head of Russia's diplomatic mission is seen in India, Tataguni should be created, this museum complex with an art gallery, a permanent exhibition of collections, photographic archives, correspondence, personal effects of the Roerich family, as well as children's school of painting. "The Indian side is positively disposed to cooperation in this matter, - the ambassador said. - In my meetings with representatives of the cultural elite of Karnataka, many say, how precious legacy of this extraordinary family, bringing together two people. It is noteworthy that, and now Bangalore is connected with Russia multitude of invisible but very tangible threads. This applies to the space industry and science-intensive industries, electronics, aerospace and IT-technology. The new model was opening an assembly plant KamAZ last Thursday. "Establishment of a new museum complex in the estate Tataguni - convinced Kadakin - should serve as an important part of our joint efforts to strengthen the Russo-Indian cultural and spiritual ties, without which there is our partnership in the new millennium.

BACKGROUND:

In 1948 Svetoslav Roerich and his wife Devika Rani (the star of early Indian cinema and the grandniece of the great poet Rabindranath Tagore) purchased from a British country estate "Tataguni" which is located 20 km from state capital Bangalore, Karnataka. Manor has an area of 468.33 acres (about 135 ha). In life he dreamed of turning this country estate in the cultural and scientific center.

S. Roerich died in January 1993 at the age of 89 years, in March 1994, died Devika Rani. Heirs they left. After their death, former secretary of the artist Mary Punacha filed several fraudulent wills, declaring himself the sole heir to the estate.

The government of Karnataka were not able to take steps to preserve personal property Roerich. M. Punacha able to assign almost all values. Disappeared many paintings, created by S. Roerich in the Kullu valley, a large collection of jewelry. Authorities stopped the theft, M. Punacha filed against some 13 criminal cases.

In 1996, the decree of the President of India was created by the International Roerich Memorial Trust, the Board of Trustees which includes representatives of the Indian government and state administration. According to the testament of Svetoslav Roerich in the estate decided to open a center of fine arts.

For the decree of President of India was followed by enactment of Karnataka from November 21, 1996 on the nationalization of the estates' Tataguni "(The Roerich and Devikarani Roerich Estate Act 1996)

In July 2002, the Karnataka High Court dismissed the private company Kay-Tee-Planteyshnz "on the transfer of her ownership of 223 acres of the estate" Tataguni. The company claimed that in 1992, Devika Rani, allegedly signed her contract for the sale of this site. However, the deal raised doubts since it was initiated M. Punacha, for their own greed, who convinced the elderly D. Rani sign the contract.

July 27, 2005 Supreme Court of India once again indefinitely postponed a final decision on real property of the Roerich family.

Browser Eugene Lenz /Interfax /
http://www.interfax.ru/culture/txt.asp?id=125536