New Delhi, August 9 / reported by H. Protopopova ITAR-TASS/
The Roerich family estate Tatgunni, located near Bangalore, Karnataka, South West India, will be turned into an international academic and cultural centre. As Mr Kadakin, Ambassador of Russia in India, told ITAR TASS, it was made possible by a recent verdict by India’s Supreme Court, which regulates the ownership of the Estate land. According to the Court verdict the Tatgunni Estate will be passed under the control of Karnataka state administration.

Nowadays the Tatgunni Estate is closed for visitors because of the land ownership litigation. The case is that Mary Poonacha, the former housekeeper of S. Roerich, tried to appropriate to herself the Roerichs family property on the basis of forged wills. In this situation it was impossible to start restoration in Tatgunni and to create an artistic and museum centre there. There are some personal belongings and about 60 paintings by S. Roerich in the Estate.

"The decision taken by the Supreme Court of India is a very pleasant event for the world Roerich community'', Mr Kadakin noted . 'We have been waiting for it for these long 17 years. Justice has triumphed». The Ambassador hopes that the Government of India and of Karnataka state will not need another 17 years to turn Tatgunni Estate in a cultural center.

The Tatgunni Estate, purchased by S. Roerich and his wife Devika Rani Roerich in 1948, is located at the distance of 20 km from Karnataka state capital Bangalor. The territory of the Estate is 135 hectares. S. Roerich wanted to turn the Estate into a scientific and cultural centre. 'Now there is a possibility to open the Estate for visitors and to turn it into an international cultural centre that will be useful for the mankind according to the wish of S. Roerich', A. Kadakin stressed.