HIGH CALLING: NICHOLAS ROERICH AND HIS SEARCH FOR SHAMBHALA

The prolific Russian painter, writer, philosopher and humanist Nikolai Roerich (1874-1947) was a great believer in the power of art and in the fundamental unity of all cultures and civilizations.

As an artist he left behind more than 7000 paintings and set designs. He was an author of near 30 books and countless essays, articles, and travel diaries. His writings, like his paintings, reflected his constant inner search for universal truth.  His archeological findings contributed to the study of migration patterns in Russia, Central Asia and the Himalayas. He established and led numerous art schools, international cultural organizations and scientific institutes on three continents. His humanitarian efforts , especially his Roerich Peace Pact , signed by FDR and 35 other nations, earned him two nominations for The Nobel Peace Prize. His prominent admirers included Lev Tolstoy, Serge Diaghilev, Herbert Hoover, Albert Einstein, Roman Rolland and George Bernard Shaw.