It was 80 years ago, when on 24th July 1928 family of the famous Russian painter, philosopher, traveler, peace activist and writer Nicholas Roerich founded in Darjeeling the Urusvati Himalayan Research Institute. Family just arrived from the unprecedented Central Asiatic Expedition during which they traversed twice the whole Central Asia and collected enormous amount of scientific, linguistic, artistic and philosophical information and riches. To develop these findings, they decided to lay the foundation of the institute that would continue in the research they initiated on their journeys.
Later in 1928 the Institute shifted to Western Himalayas, where Roerichs finally settled in the beginning of 1929. And the work of the Institute fully unfolded here, in the beautiful Kullu valley.
Today, in our celebration we remembered both the Central Asiatic Expedition and the Urusvati Institute. Devotional incantations from the Shanti puja performed at the Guga Choha temple started the day.
‘Beyond strokes’ – Painting exhibition by Kiran Soni Gupta, Divisional Commissioner from Rajasthan was inaugurated as the first item of the whole day celebration. Dr Fiorenza Bartolotti, representing ‘Living Ethics Community’ of Italy, inaugurated wonderful exhibition which startled visitors with its bright fiery colors and diverse subjects, paintings executed in different styles and techniques. Hot sun of Rajasthan, sands and dunes of its desert were almost tangible, as well as the colorfully dressed women and men in traditional Rajasthani costumes.

Visitors looked through the exhibited paintings and listened to the artist’s narration about her paintings addressed mainly to the young budding artists – students of Helena Roerich Art College.
Then everybody started to walk to the Urusvati Institute located 200 meters up on the top of the mountain. There, in several halls of the former Urusvati Himalayan Research Institute, three new exhibitions were displayed for the guests. First was the exhibition showing photos from the Roerichs Central Asiatic Expedition, and from their later years in Kullu, the work of the Institute, local expeditions and research trips to Lahul, Kangra and Kashmir. This remarkable photo exhibition has been prepared and presented to the Trust as a gift from the International Centre of the Roerichs, Moscow, Russia.
Another exhibition displayed different scientific instruments from the former Institute, items from botanical, linguistic, mineralogical and medical collections of the Institute. Some postcards from the Roerichs’ correspondence were also displayed, showing amazing range of different famous scientific, cultural and educational world institutions with whom Roerichs cooperated.

The third exhibition was especially unique, displaying different stuffed animals, skins of leopard, Himalayan bears, flying foxes and unique birds of Northern India. All these artifacts belonged to the zoological and ornithological collections of the former Institute. Children specially liked this exhibition, observing with awe huge eagles, owls and other Himalayan birds.

Here is one interesting excerpt from the letter written by Helena Roerich about the tasks and goals of the Institute they founded:

13 October 1930

“…Perhaps the concept of a City of Knowledge is less clear in the consciousness of the co-workers than the other ideas. Therefore, I shall give you — rather, will repeat to you — a few ideas for your outer protection. As to the inner one, you already have it. The center should be developed into a city of knowledge. In this city we wish to create a synthesis of scientific achievements. Therefore, all branches of science should eventually be established there. And, since the source of knowledge lies in the Cosmos, the co-workers of the scientific center should belong to the whole world — that is, should include all nationalities. And, as the Cosmos is indivisible in all its functions, the scientists of the world should be indivisible in their achievements. In other words, they should be united in closest cooperation. The location of the center, in the Himalayas, is selected quite deliberately and purposefully, as innumerable possibilities are open there, and the attention of the scientific world is being directed toward these heights. The discovery of new cosmic rays, which bring to humanity new precious energies, is possible only on the mountain summits because all the finest and most valuable energies are found only in the pure layers of mountain atmosphere.

Are not mountains the greatest of magnetic stations? Would it not be appropriate to explore their magnetism and electricity? Would not the study of magnetic currents bring safety into aerostatics? In the sphere of magnetic currents science is still in its infancy, and modern instruments are nothing but toys, while "great discoveries could take place with proper study and research." The reason we wish so much to begin this research at our center is because the conditions of this locality are particularly favorable. Would it not be timely to pay attention to all meteoric precipitations which fall on the snowy summits and which, by the force of the mountain streams, are carried down to the valleys? For astronomical observations the conditions here are exceptionally good, and in nearby Little Tibet it is possible to establish a section of the main station.

Geologically, the Himalayas are also very interesting, and their caves hold many mysteries for archaeologists, zoologists and anthropologists. There are a great number of hot springs. Also, other unexplored springs and salt lakes, which have various properties according to the statements of local inhabitants. As for botany, zoology, and ornithology — you have already learned from the letters of our botanist-zoologist how pleased he was with the results of his work. On these mountains the rarest medicinal plants and grasses are centered, and the variety of botanic species is unexcelled.

In archaeological respects our valley, of course, is one of the richest and most ancient. There are traces of ancient Buddhist culture. Quite remarkable is the number of local dialects among the mountain tribes. Two neighboring villages frequently do not understand each other. Fiery atmospheric manifestations also could be observed here, and the so-called "Himalayan lights" may often be seen. It is most desirable to establish here a meteorological station to start studying and observing the magnetic currents, with the idea of broadening it eventually, bearing in mind the favorable local conditions. In connection with this, let me quote certain indications: "Further movement of magnetic currents over the surface of the earth manifests the lines of the atmospheric changes. Observation stations should be established in various places, and collaboration between them should be as close and precise as possible. It is true that the trouble lies in the absence of synthesis and that much energy and valuable studies are lost. Therefore, an organization of true cooperators is necessary on Earth."

Let us think of broad possibilities. "Breadth of thought and consciousness will be your test." Have you noticed that all pessimists usually possess small consciousnesses and poor imaginations?

The establishment of a city of synthesized knowledge is a problem of world significance, and that is why we must not ask for help but should demand it. We work not for ourselves but for humanity. Everyone of us is ready to apply his best efforts for the General Good. Let other people also understand this pure striving, and they may become aflame with the desire to advance humanity further toward synthesized knowledge.”

From the Urusvati Institute all guests came down to the Theatre ground, where the cultural program started with Sarasvati bandhana sang by the children from the Art College.
After the introductory word, the latest publications were solemnly released by the artist Kiran Soni Gupta – first three books of the ‘Living Ethics Teaching’ written by Helena Roerich were printed jointly by the IRMT Naggar and the Himalayan Community of Living Ethics, Darjeeling.
Executive Director of the Trust, Dr Alena Adamkova, and Dr Fiorenza Bartolotti from Italy read few enlightening passages from the books.
And then, young musician, Dr Julia Barkova from Moscow was invited on stage to perform. Julia has special talent - she plays on 70 different music instruments, and sings in many world languages. For the guests of this celebration she performed Russian, English, Hindi, Spanish and Gypsy songs. Her performance was highly appreciated by the people.
Students of Helena Roerich Art College presented their classical tabla solo, one raga and kathak dance.
Young Lithuanian jazz singer Viktoria Pilatovitch sang one English song.
And then, the new music group of Naggar – ‘Himalayan Eagles’ came on stage. 7 members of this group are the students of the Art College of the Trust, but united by love of music, they decided to do more, and thus the music group came into being. For the last two months they worked under the supervision of Dr Julia Barkova – and today the guests saw the results of their dedicated, everyday’s hard work. Clad in beautiful, bright colored Russian folk costumes, they performed several items – Russian, Hindi and English songs. Following the example of Julia, all of them played on different instruments, exchanging them amidst themselves with every new song. People present at the concert were startled to see and hear these youngsters to sing in Russian language, and when the artists also danced Russian folk dance, the audience got excited and joyfully clapped in the rhythm with the performers. Verily, it was something new that Naggar people could witness!
Concert was over. The last program followed – difficult task to choose the winners of the painting competition that was going on from the morning. Guests – artists of the function, Kiran Soni Gupta, Fiorenza Bartolotti and Pimi Khanna were entrusted with this work. They liked  children paintings so much, that, besides first three prices they proposed additional two consolation prices in each age group. And here came the announcement of the results, and happy winners flocked the stage, proudly displaying their paintings and grabbing the gifts presented to them.

On this high note the celebration ended.
As we were parting, suddenly we recollected - the idea of the Roerichs was, that people from all over the world should participate in the work of the Urusvati Institute – is it by chance, that representatives of 9 countries joined today’s celebration? …India, Russia, Slovakia, Italy, Spain, Lithuania, Ukraine, Nederlands and America –  all came together for honoring the Light of Art – united by the noble ideas of the Culture. Let this fire be aflame!