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India through the eyes of Russia

To honour and celebrate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and India, the Embassy of the Russian Federation, in association with the State Russian Museum (St. Petersburg), the Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow) and the Russian Centre for Science and Culture (New Delhi) with the sponsorship from Sistema JSFC and MTS India have come together to showcase an exquisite piece of history.

This is in the form of an art exhibition and an exclusive book launch which is translated for the first time in English called ‘Letters from India’ by Prince Alexei Saltykov specifically for the Indian audiences.

In this month-long unique art exhibition that will commence on 29 October, 2012 there will be 23 historic art works that depict the life and people of mid 19th century India told through the eyes of Prince Alexei Saltykov who visited India between the periods of 1841-43 and 1845-46. A talented painter, Prince Saltykov, using water colour and pencil, made images that depicts Indian realities, which he treated with utmost affection and adoration. Prince Alexey Saltykov’s travelogue ‘Letters from India’ first published in French in 1848 aroused great interest amongst readers and was reprinted several times. Only 1,000 copies have been printed to mark the legacy of Prince Alexei Saltykov and the 65th anniversary of the two countries.

The letters of the Russian traveller attracted readers with an abundance of information which could rarely be found in literature of this kind. Courage and a desire for learning enabled Saltykov to penetrate those corners of India where Europeans had rarely set foot. He was amongst the first Russian travellers who visited remote areas of Western Himalayas leaving behind priceless images of people inhabiting the picturesque landscapes.The Russian artist visited India in search of beauty and found it in the Indian landscape, the temples and palaces, processions and festivals and above all in its people.

The exhibition will be inaugurated by Dr Karan Singh, President of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and HE Alexander Kadakin, Ambassor of the Russian Federation to India on Monday, 29 October.
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