ALTAI-HIMALAYA
A Travel Diary
By Nicholas Roerich
PUBLISHER'S NOTE
zuloaga, visiting the Roerich Museum in New York, in an interview for the press, said: "In the creative art of Roerich, I see that which I have always felt. Here is evidence that from Russia some force is coming to the world—I cannot measure, I cannot impart what it is—but I realize its approach: Roerich— great artist, great worker; his creation expresses proud and lofty sentiments."
Boris Grigorief has said: "His name is on the lips of the entire world. Before me is the magazine, <i>Studio,</i> dedicated to our great artist, and I am proud when I think that Roerich is so able to arouse the human soul."
In the <i>Foreword </i>(1925), Serge Whitman, valuing the international significance of the last work of Roerich, wrote: "We who search the paths of international understanding and the structure of universal peace, must look upon Roerich as the apostle and forerunner of this new world of all nations."
Ivan Narodny, in a recent article, "Prophet of Universal Beauty," said: "Leonardo da Vinci was at the same time a painter, an architect and an engineer. The same can be said of Roerich— he is not only a towering painter, but a profound philosopher and a distinguished scientist."
An extensive literature has been dedicated to Nicholas Roerich. Information of his life and works up to 1916, may be had in the monographs of A. Rostislavov (1918); A. Mantl (1910); A. Guidoni (1915); N. Selivanova (1923); in articles of A. Benois (1916); S. Makovsky (1906-16); S. Yaremitch (1916); L. Andreyef (1918); A. Remisoff (1916); M. Voloshin, G. Bottom-ley, S. Gorodetzky, W. Baltrushaitis, I. Lazarevsky, I. TakeuchV. Pica, L. Vauxelles, Arsène Alexandre, A. Koiransky, B. Grigorief, O. Dymoff, M. Fokine, Denis Roche, Sir Claude Phillips, Leo Feigenberg, O. M. Sayler, C. Brinton, V. Ritter, M. Martin and others.
Special issues of magazines were dedicated to Roerich's art by <i>Mir Isskustva; Isskustvo; Vessi; Zolotoye Runo; L'Art Decoratif, </i>Paris; <i>Studio,</i> London; <i>The Touchstone,</i> New York; <i>Colour</i>, London; <i>Gazette des Beaux Arts,</i> Paris; <i>Volne Smer</i>i, Prague; <i>Dilo</i>, Prague; <i>Art and Archæology</i>, Washington; and many others.
Information about his various foreign works is strewn in many series of editions: <i>Studio</i>, London; <i>International Studio</i>, New York; <i>Emporium</i>, Milan; <i>Les Arts et les Artiste</i>s, Paris; <i>Volne Smeri</i> and <i>Dilo</i>, Prague; <i>Deutsche Kunst</i>, Darmstadt; <i>The Review</i>, Calcutta; and many other Hindu, Japanese and American magazines.
The large monograph, "Himalaya," published by Brentano's, New York (1926), gives 100 reproductions of Roerich's paintings of 1923-25. The monograph published by Corona Mundi, International Art Center, in 1923, also "Nicholas Roerich," published by Editions de la Revue du Vrai et du Beau, as well as Roerich's works "Adamant" (1923) and "Paths of Blessing" (1925), acquaint us with his consciousness in all its phases.
For four and a half years, Roerich in an unrepeatable circle, encompassed Central Asia. Starting in the Himalayas so beloved of him, he courageously brought his Expedition through all obstacles again to the same place in the foothills of these highest mountains of the world.
The entire series of paintings which he made on that memorable journey and the published works of the members of the Expedition will reflect its valuable results. Now the opportunity is offered to read Roerich's travel notes, those "thoughts upon horseback and in the tent," induced by the contemplation of lofty mountains and boundless deserts wrapped in the inviolable secrecy of the East.
What is this book? Is it a scientific treatise? Obviously not, because such a work is still to be written. Is it the diary of a geographer or an ethnologist? No. It is the Symphony of Asia. Some such phrase would characterize it best.
In conclusion it may not be amiss to quote a fragment of one of Roerich’s letters sent from Little Tibet, to Corona Mundi, International Art Center, in 1925, in which he indicates his program and purpose: “Friends, it would have been far easier for me to have set down the entire journey in all its fairy-tale of ‘fantasy,’ which colors every peak and every desert space with unprecedented truth. But then some will be incredulous, as he who sleeps in darkness does not believe in the sun. Is it possible that the sun is already rising? Facts are needed. I am writing only facts. I am setting down fragments of the thoughts as they now live in the East. I am setting down distances and tales, as they are now related. But even in facts, the Sunrise comes from the East.”
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As the first news from the Roerich American Expedition, after its lengthy wanderings in Tibet, came this telegram on May 24, 1928:
“Roerich American Expedition after many hardships has reached Himalayas. Thus ended big Central Asiatic Expedition. Many artistic and scientific results. Already sent several series of paintings to New York. Hope last sending from Mongolia safely reached you. Many observations regarding Buddhism.
“Expedition started in 1924 from Sikhim through Punjab, Kashmir, Ladak, Karakorum, Khotan, Kashgar, Karashar, Urumchi, Irtysh, Altai Mountains, Oyrot region, Mongolia, Central Gobi, Kansu, Tsaidam, Tibet.
“Peaceful American flag encircled Central Asia. Everywhere warmly greeted except Khotan and Lhasa Governments. Further movement Expedition from Khotan assisted by British Consul at Kashgar. On Tibetan territory have been attacked by armed robbers. Superiority of our firearms prevented bloodshed. In spite of Tibetan passports Expedition forcibly stopped by Tibetan authorities on Oct. 6, two days north of Nagchu. With inhuman cruelty Expedition has been detained for five months at altitude of 15,000 feet in summer tents amidst severe cold about 40 degrees below Centigrade.
“Expedition suffered from want of fuel and fodder. During stay in Tibet five men, Mongols, Buriats and Tibetans died and ninety caravan animals perished. By order of authorities all letters and wires addressed to Lhasa Government and Calcutta British authorities seized. Forbidded to speak to passing caravans. Forbidded to buy foodstuffs from population. Money and medicines came to an end. The presence of three women in caravan and medical certificate about heart weakness not taken into consideration. With great difficulties on March 4, Expedition started southward. All nine European members of the Expedition safe. Courageously bore hardships of exceptionally severe Winter. Greetings.”
Contents
publisher's note .............
introduction by Claude Bragdon .........
PART
I. india (1924) ................
II. sikhim (1924) ................
III. pir-panzal (1925) ...............
IV. ladak (1925) ................
V. lamayuru-hemis (1925) ............
VI. leh—karakorum—khotan (1925) .........
VII. khotan (1925-1926) .............
VIII. takla makan—karashahr (1926) .......
IX. karashahr—dzungaria (1926) ..........
X. altai (1926) ...................
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