Over the past centuries, Russian people have visited the most diverse corners of the world. Our compatriots contributed to the development of Alaska, Hawaii, Ethiopia, and South America. They also left a significant mark in India. In the late 18th century, musician and translator Gerasim Stepanovich Lebedev visited there. He was a singer in the Court Chapel and often participated in diplomatic missions abroad, where he became interested in the distant and mysterious India. Lebedev decided to go there to study it and 'bring some benefit to the Motherland.'

With the support of diplomat Semyon Vorontsov, Gerasim Stepanovich received permission to enter British India and began to familiarize himself with the local history and culture. At first, the Indians were distrustful of him, and many even refused to teach him the Bengali language. However, seeing his genuine interest in their country, they began to help Lebedev. His journey through India lasted 12 years, during which he learned a lot and was able to combine European and Indian musical sounds, virtuously performing Indian melodies on Western instruments.

Later, Gerasim Stepanovich became the first to establish a national theater in the European style. For India at that time, this was very progressive, especially in terms of gender: for the first time, women's roles were played by women themselves. Moreover, the performance was in the Bengali language. Although the play was predicted to fail, it unexpectedly pleased even the colonial administration. As a result, new plays and comedies emerged, and the theater's expenses were recouped in just a few weeks.

However, soon the English, noticing that the theater was awakening national consciousness among the Indians, decided to close it. Lebedev began to face obstacles and was then asked to leave the country. Upon returning to Russia, the 'Indian theater enthusiast' engaged in translating Bengali texts and became the first Indologist in the country.