14.06.2019

The Art Festival in collaboration with Himachal State Museum, Shimla, at the Roerich Estate

The Art Festival, organized at the International Roerich Memorial Trust on June 14, 2019 in collaboration with the Himachal State Museum, Shimla, highlighted the cultural heritage of Himachal Pradesh. Inaugurated jointly by an Indian Curator, Mr Ramesh Chander, and a Russian Curator, Ms Larisa Surgina, the Art Festival opened with a grand Shimla State Museum exhibition containing contemporary artwork, replicas of classical Kangra miniatures, museum publications, souvenir gifts, and much more.

The event continued with a painting competition and a declamation contest organized for the children of Kullu Valley. The role of the jury in the painting competition was performed by Ms Larisa Surgina and a Shimla Museum officer, Mr Vikas Vanyal. The declamation contest was assessed by Mr Ramesh Chander and a Shimla Museum official, Mr Suresh Chandel.

In the painting competition, the first prize went to Vijay Swamini, DAV School Rangri, Manali; the second prize went to Tenzin Namgyal, Day Star School, Manali; and the third prize went to Vaisiki Thakur, Cambridge International School, Kullu. The consolation prize went to Radha Garg, DPS, Manali.

The first prize in the declamation contest went to Pratyaksh, LMS School, Kullu; the second prize went to Jyoti Sharma, Cambridge International School, Mohal; and the third prize went to Damini, DAV School Rangri, Manali.

Through its exhibitions, activities, and merchandise, the Art Festival – apart from encouraging artistic and intellectual development among the current generation – succeeded in drawing public attention to the Himachal Pradesh cultural heritage, namely – to the pressing need for its protection and preservation.

The Roerich Memorial Trust employees express their gratitude to the Shimla State Museum curator, Mr Hari Chauhan, and his colleagues – Vikas Vanyal, Santosh Kumar, Suresh Chandel and Tej Ram - for their active participation and invaluable contributions which made this event successful.