Obituary Nik Douglas 4 November, 1944 ? 28 July, 2012

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Family and friends of hte late Nik Douglas at the Thai House, Shoal Bay, Anguilla

Well-known archaeologist and businessman in Anguilla, Nik Douglas, died in New York on July 28, 2012. The following is an obituary prepared and submitted by his wife, Mrs. Christi Douglas, for publication in The Anguillian. A memorial event was held for him on Saturday afternoon, August 18, at the family?s Thai House at Shoal Bay, and was attended by a number of family members and friends.

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Family and friends of hte late Nik Douglas at the Thai House, Shoal Bay, Anguilla

Nik Douglas was born on 4 November 1944 inYorkshire,England. His father was a civil engineer and his mother was an artist, writer, and dance teacher. Nik was brought up in the Middle East until 1955, finishing his schooling at Bembridge School, an English independent school on theIsle of Wight.? From an early age he studied ancient cultures, archaeology and anthropology, specializing in Egyptology.

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The late Nik Douglas

During the early1960?s Nik managed and produced the Moody Blues, along with other English rhythm and blues musicians and touring musical acts.? He also helped pioneer commercial radio in England through his involvement with Radio Caroline, the first ?pirate? commercial music station.

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By early 1964 he had become interested in Tantra and Ayurvedic medicines. This led him to travel toIndia,Sri Lanka,Thailand,Tibet,Nepal, with Nik spending most of his time inAsiabetween 1966 and 1972. He studied Hindu and Buddhist philosophies and practices, researching Oriental medicine, art, sculpture and mysticism, studying with Hindu teachers, Buddhist lamas, Ayurvedic doctors and Tantric experts. During that period he had two children, Tara and Nyima, born inIndia. They lived in Kathmandu, a time associated with his Tibetan studies and his walk to the Dolpo region ofNepal.? He had an uncanny ability to recognise the quality and integrity of cultural artefacts, resulting in the beginnings of a vast and ever-growing collection of art and antiquities.

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In 1968 Nik filmed at the Kumbha Mela festival inHardwarand at several other sites acrossIndiaresulting in his film, Tantra: Indian Rites of Ecstasy, (1969), co-produced with Mick Jagger and Robert Fraser. He also published the first issue of the magazine Chakra: A Journal of Tantra and Yoga at this time.

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Nik returned to the West with his young children, firstly toCypruswhere he had grown up with his parents as a child, moving briefly toLondonand then settling inIbiza,Spain, where he developed inventions using solar energy, and worked on writing books and cataloguing his antiques collection.?? He moved back toLondonin the late 1970?s and then lived inNew Yorkfrom 1978 to 1981 where he produced a series of works including multiple books and his popular astrology cards.? His best-selling book with over a million copies sold, Sexual Secrets: The Alchemy of Ecstasy (1979) has been translated into over 30 languages.? In 1997, Simon & Schuster published Nik?s follow-up book Spiritual Sex: Secrets of Tantra From the Ice Age to the New Millennium (1997). Then, an entirely new colorized 20th Anniversary edition of Sexual Secrets was released in 2007, which introduces startling new evidence of Tantric and Taoist origins in archaic Indian tribal and Chinese Neolithic societies.

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Nik?s move from the U.S. was to the Caribbean ? firstly to Cayman Islands, then Trinidad, Dominica, moving on to Tortola and finally settling in Anguilla in 1982.? In Anguilla he produced four albums for Reggae singer Bankie Banx, with three number one hits, and arranged for Bankie?s performance at the Reggae Sunsplash festival inJamaicain 1983, and other tours.? He personally boarded commuter planes and cargo boats around theCaribbeanislands in an effort to promote Bankie?s records on radio stations and generate album sales.

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Nik came to Anguilla having heard Bankie Banx on the radio in Tortola, but he stayed due to his fascination with the rich Taino and Arawak history and archaeology ofAnguilla.? He was a key person behind revitalizing the Anguilla Archaeological and Historical Society, organising a number of archaeological digs and documenting the Fountain Cavern, an important ancient Arawak site. He brought archaeological experts and student groups toAnguillafor related projects, often at his own expense. He collected and documented over 50,000 pieces of Arawak materials, all donated to theAnguillaMuseumin The Valley, which he helped procure funding to build.? He helped found the Anguilla National Trust, was a founding member of the Anguilla Wrecks Committee, and devoted countless energy and hours to explore, develop, and promote Anguilla?s resources for the benefit ofAnguilla.? He also co-produced Mr. Ronald Webster?s published book, Scrapbook of Anguilla?s Revolution.

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Simultaneously, he bought land near the Fountain inShoalBayand imported a group of antique houses fromThailandfrom which he constructed his family home, a source of fascination forAnguilla?s tourists, who often pass by for photographs.

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In 1994, Nik met and married his wife Christi and they had three children. Nik and Christi travelled extensively while building up their business, The Galleria at World Art & Antiques, inAnguilla.? He also tirelessly and endlessly promotedAnguillaand its many benefits to individuals and real estate developers, resulting in multiple home and land investments, and projects such as Viceroy Anguilla.? In recent years Nik and Christi acquired and further developed The Botanical Gardens of Nevis, where they also operate other related businesses.

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In his final years Nik expanded his lifelong interest in Asian and African art and antiques.? In 2010, he organised and curated a major exhibition at Tibet House inNew York.? Prior to his death, he was working on a major exhibition inLondon, entitled On the Silk Route; Birth of The Buddha, due to open in November 2012.? Also amongst his many projects prior to his death is a follow-up revision of his book Spiritual Sex, which will be available on Amazon.com in late September 2012.

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Nik had an amazing memory, often working on multiple projects at a time.? He rejoiced in bringing together related art objects, building art collections which told a cultural story, and placing them in venues where they can be appreciated. He has been a consultant and agent for museums, galleries and private collections around the world.

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Nik was a multicultural, multi-national, and multi-talented individual, an extraordinary visionary who could see beyond the mundane. He had the ability to think ?out of the box? and had several new ideas every day. Not religious in the ordinary sense, but deeply spiritual, he was steadfastly faithful to those who took the time to know him, and those whom he called friends. He was kind to everyone, and always made time to help anyone who needed his assistance, whether for his vast knowledge in areas of his specialty or connections all over the world, and in many other ways.? Nik?s passing has had an enormous impact in each corner of the world, as is evidenced by the many candlelight vigils held in churches, temples, and mosques across the world.? He was a global citizen who roamed the world in search of knowledge and he circumnavigated the globe several times a year, but it wasAnguillathat he always returned to, and chose to call his home.

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Nik passed away in his sleep at his home inNew Yorkon July 28th, 2012, and is survived by his wife, five children, one grandchild and sister.

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Rest in peace Nik. Good luck in your new adventures.? You will be greatly missed.

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Condolence messages may be sent to worldart1@yahoo.com.

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Source: http://theanguillian.com/2012/08/obituary-nik-douglas-4-november-1944-%E2%80%93-28-july-2012/

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