Dipender Manta
Nicholas Roerich Art Gallery at Naggar in Kullu district provides many artists an opportunity to exhibit their paintings.
The International Roerich Memorial Trust (IRMT) at Naggar allows artists to exhibit their work as it is the managing authority of Roerich Art Gallery, which is making efforts to preserve this heritage.
Artists said it provides a global stage to artists to exhibit their talent as foreign and domestic tourists visit the gallery in large numbers.
Bhupinder Dhutti, an artist from Delhi, said: “Nicholas Roerich Art Gallery at Naggar is unique and the best place for artists to exhibit their paintings. It provides a world class stage to artists because a large number of foreign and domestic tourists visit here round the year. It directly benefits artists.”
“I am exhibiting my work here since 2017 and the cooperation of IRMT authority is commendable. There is always a scope for improvement. To display paintings at the art gallery, we have to use panels because there are only three walls, where paintings can be displayed directly on the wall,” he said.
Nilesh Nikam, an artist hailing from Mumbai, said: “I displayed paintings at the art gallery last month, which was a unique experience. I used to exhibit my paintings in different parts of India, but the experience at Roerich Art Gallery was the best. The charges were minimum, which every artist can afford easily. At the same time, artists, who visit, get an opportunity to have a glimpse of unique paintings created by renowned artist Nicholas Roerich, who extensively travelled the world.”
Deep Kanga, an artist from Bilaspur, said: “There is a need to make improvement at the art gallery for the display of paintings for exhibition purpose. However, it is one of best platforms in Himachal Pradesh for artists to display their work.”
Indian curator of IRMT Ramesh Chandra said: “Artists from India and abroad visit every year to exhibit their paintings. IRMT provides an opportunity to them to exhibit their painting at the gallery at minimum charges. They get a week to exhibit their paintings. The artists are asked to donate one of their paintings to the art gallery.”
As many as 79,074 tourists visited the gallery last year, which is the highest so far. The IRMT is making every possible effort to preserve this heritage gallery. Several things were incorporated from tourism point of view to make improvements to it.
“The trust has made significant developments at the art gallery, where four museums (Roerich art gallery, Urusvati, Devika Rani Gallery and Himalayan Folk Art Museum) have been created to keep art intact. Apart from this, the IRMT Cultural-Educational Centre has been set up to widen the range of educational services provided by IRMT to local residents and visitors. Several classes of Indian classical dance, classical vocal, traditional musical instruments and paintings are held at the Helena Roerich Academy of Arts for the children of Naggar and neighbouring villages,” he said.
“We organise international-level seminars and academic workshops every year, in which a large number of students from different parts of India as well as abroad take part,” he said.
Nicholas Roerich’s rich legacy
...and a rich collection
Visitors at the gallery
2012-13 52,279
2013-14 54,079
2014-15 52,107
2015-16 49,116
2016-17 59,223
2017-18 79,074
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