From Russia, with love: The Svetoslav story

Russian painter Nikolas Rorich _ 6-4-1966Svetoslav Roerich Photos.

Russian painter Svetoslav Roerich.

Rorich and Devika Rani Rorich interacting with a film festival organiser in Bangalore_ 3-1-1980Svetoslav Roerich Photos.

Nikolas Rorich Russian Painter at his Tataguni estate near Bangalore _6-4-1966Svetoslav Roerich Photos.

Nikolas Rorich Russian Painter at his Tataguni Estate near Bangalore _6-4-1966Svetoslav Roerich Photos.

Rorich Couple Nikolas Rorich was Russian painter and Devika Rani was film actress_6-4-1966Svetoslav Roerich Photos.

A lady police on Governor duty take time off to view an exhibition of paintings

Veteran painter Nikolas Rorich observes children engaged in on the spot painting contest organised Junior Chamber of Commerce at Lalbagh Glass house in Bangalore_10-11-1963Svetoslav Roerich Photos.

Devika Rani and Rorish with a family member at their estate near Bangalore _6-4-1966Svetoslav Roerich Photos.

Balu artist and Coffe board official_ Rorich _ Devika Rani and Mrs Balu_ 6-4-1966Svetoslav Roerich Photos.

Russian Artist Nikholas Roerich with his art works_ 5-8-1983Svetoslav Roerich Photos.

Dead body of artist Roerich at Chitrakala Parishat in Bangalore_ An USSR representitive_ chitra Kala Parishat president Rorich and others were near the body_ 1-2-1993Svetoslav Roerich Photos.

Rorich and Devika Rani Rorich interacting with a film festival organiser in Bangalore_ 3-1-1980Svetoslav Roerich Photos.

The Snowy Mountains 1930 - 40. International Centre of the Roerichs. Painted by Svetoslav Roerich

Two Рeaks-Gepang-Svetoslav Roerich-1934-International Centre of the Roerichs. Painter by Svetoslav Roerich

At the height of the Russo-Japanese War in 1904, the Russian naval command was preparing for action, with Russian warships entering the North Sea. In the capital, St Petersburg, Helena and Nichols Roerich welcomed their second son Svetoslav Roerich. Helena was an author from an aristocratic family and Nicholas was a famous and influential painter. Both were public figures who moved out from Russia to Finland and thereafter to London, New York before finally settling in Himachal Pradesh, India.

Svetoslav and his elder brother, George’s upbringing helped shape their lives. George went on to carve a niche as a renowned Tibetologist and linguist. Svetoslav, under the tutelage of his father, took up paintbrush and palette, and excelled.

Academically trained as an architect in London, he continued his studies in universities in the US, where he became an avid painter before moving back to Himachal in 1931.

Svetoslav was mesmerised by the beautiful landscape that his parents made their home in Himachal. He found his inspiration here in the foothills of the Himalayas. The magnificent mountains, flowers on the banks of the streams, birds and blue sky — he captured them all on his canvas. His style was also influenced by his father, his first teacher.

In 1945, he married Devika Rani, the grand-niece of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. She was famously known as ‘the first lady of Indian cinema’, having had a successful 10-year career as an actress on the silver screen. The couple moved to Bengaluru in 1947 and went on to acquire a 450-acre land in the periphery of the city called Tataguni Estate in 1948. Interestingly, Rumale Channabasavaiah, the painter laureate of Karnataka, played a role in Svetoslav settling in ‘Namma Bengaluru’.

Apart from bringing life to the rich landscape paintings, Svetoslav painted several portraits. His wife Devika Rani was his muse, often holding flowers and standing before bright colourful backgrounds. It is said that he created his own paints, and his canvas reflected vibrant, fresh colours. His landscape works are not realistic but have a charm of their own. Critics have labelled his work ‘romantic and mythic’, with a great deal of influence from his father.

The landscape work shows his love for the mountains of Kullu valley. The trees and slow-moving rivers are depicted in striking colours. His portraits too, bring a sense of the mythical element to the faces of the people.

The Roerich family

The Roerichs were an influential family with links to top leaders in not only India, but also across Europe and the US. Svetoslav’s portraits of Nehru, Indira Gandhi and S Radhakrishna adorn the walls of the Central Hall of Parliament.

Svetoslav Roerich stood out in his appearance with a long white beard, thick moustache and broad shoulders. His paintings went on to be exhibited across the country, fetching him the Padma Bhushan, Order of Friendship of Peoples by the Soviet Union, and an Honorary Doctorate from the Veliko Tarnovo University, Bulgaria for his immense contribution through art.

During his time in the city, he played an important role in building the Chitrakala Parishath in its early days. The Russian painter was a part of the artist community, yet stayed away from the local artists. He contributed a lot of his work along with his father’s paintings to the Parishath.

The artist breathed his last in the city on January 30, 1993. His body was wrapped in the tri-colour and several dignitaries paid their last respects to him. In a little over a year, Devika Rani too, passed away.

The Supreme Court, in 2011, awarded Tataguni Estate to the Karnataka government after years of legal battles over the sprawling estate. Sadly, it remains largely neglected. The estate houses several paintings belonging to Svetoslav Roerich and Devika Rani.

At present, Roerich’s work is housed in the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, International Roerich Memorial Trust in Kullu and the International Centre of the Roerichs in Russia.