JOIN USThings seem to be moving on the right track to establish a world-class art museum in memory of Russian artist Svetoslav Roerich and his actor-wife Devikarani at Tataguni Estate on Kanakapura Road, once the abode of the couple.
The museum will be developed on the lines of the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam. The State government won a legal battle over the possession of the estate two years ago.
The museum plans of the department of heritage were reiterated on Wednesday by Manu Baligar, chief executive officer of the Roerich and Devikarani Roerich Estate Board, during the celebrations of Roerich and Devikarani Day, in association with the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat.
However, he said that there was no deadline for the project as of now, but it would start soon. Baligar said Rs 25 crore would be spent to develop 25 acres out of the total of around 470 acres of the Estate into a museum.
He said, “The museum will be named after the Roerich couple. A rose garden will also come up at the Estate. The department of forests has developed a tree park there, which is almost ready”.
To mark the day, Nikolay A Listopadav, consul general of the Russian Federation in South India, released an album titled ‘Himalayan Saga,’ along with veteran actress Jayamala.
Addressing the gathering, Listopadav underlined the importance of the legacy of the Roerich couple and their contributions to art in boosting Indo-Russian ties. He said the Roerich couple had a unique heritage which belonged to both India and Russia.
Listopadav appreciated the initiative of the Karnataka government in developing the estate into a world class art museum.
He said the consulate will be happy to extend its cooperation to the government in the establishment of the museum.