History Paintings & Portraits of Indian Leaders

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Svetoslev Roerich, Oil on Canvas

Location: Banquet Hall

Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, born on 5th September 1988 was a philosopher and educationist whose birthday is celebrated as Teacher’s day. He served as the Vice President in 1952, prior to becoming the President of India from 1962-1967. He was awarded theBharat Ratna in 1954. He died on April 17, 1975.

Blue clouds define the background which reveals Roerich’s admiration for nature. Standing atop a raised platform which is reminiscent of the corridors of Rashtrapati Bhavan, focus is directed towards his left with a circular pillar. He is seen wearing a white bandhgala. A white dhoti with fan shaped folds show attention to detail. His black shoes provide a formal presence to this portrait and is exaggerated by the neatpagdi on his head. 

Svetoslev Roerich, son of Nicholas Roerich who was a great painter of the Himalayas, studied art under his father’s guidance. Svetoslev’s paintings were first exhibited in India in 1936- 1937. He painted several portraits of Gandhi and Nehru family. Nicholas Roerich was born in 1874 and lived in various parts of the world till his demise in Himachal Pradesh in 1947. He was trained as an artist, while his other interests were also drawn in the field of literature, philosophy and archaeology.