One of the most interesting exhibitions held in the IRMT was inaugurated on 16th August 2007 during the celebration of the 105th Birth Anniversary of George Roerich.

Deputy Commissioner of Kullu, Sh.Abhishek Jain inaugurated the exhibition of Buddhist Thanghka Paintings – this beautiful show has been prepared by the students of Tibetan Thangkha Painting School from a nearby Patlikhul village. The Head of the Kullu administration together with his wife had a brief discussion with the Principal of the School and Painting teacher, and both of them admired professional skills of the students.

Needless to say that this exhibition was well in the lines of the function – one can recollect, that the first book printed by George Roerich in young age of 23, was ‘Tibetan Paintings’ – his deep study of the Buddhist thankghkas paintings, undertaken by him during his stay in Darjeeling and Sikkim – area, abundant with beautiful Buddhist monasteries and temples.

Specially interesting for all visitors of the exhibition was the opportunity to witness the very process of painting thanghkas – Tibetan students brought few easels they use traditionally during the painting, and were demonstrating their work during the exhibition. Guests and tourists were asking them many things, and young artists had really tough time to answer all of them – curiosity of visitors, interested in Buddhist philosophy, deities pantheon and art of painting did not give them any chance to relax!

Another thing that captured attention of people was the big display case with the bowls containing the minerals and the colors that students prepare themselves – as all colors used in the thanghka painting are natural. Painting teacher explained, that sometimes they themselves collect necessary minerals and precious stones, from which they prepare the colors.

All people verily admired the aesthetic arrangement of the exhibition items, the beauty of thanghkas and diligent students who friendly attended to the guests and shared with them their knowledge of Buddhist philosophy and art.