Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
India

Historian B N Goswamy passes away

Darpan News Desk IANS, 17 Nov, 2023 02:36 PM
  • Historian B N Goswamy passes away

Chandigarh, Nov 17 (IANS) Known for his path-breaking work on Pahari paintings, internationally-acclaimed art historian and an authority on miniature painting, Chandigarh-based Brijinder Nath Goswamy, passed away on Friday following prolonged ill health.

Recipient of the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards, 90-year-old Goswamy, fondly called BNG in art circles had authored more than 26 books.

A former civil servant who quit the services in 1958 to dedicate himself to academics and research, Goswamy took immense interest in the social background of painters from Kangra and spent a considerable time in far-flung villages of Himachal Pradesh to get a better understanding of the artists who created Pahari paintings.

Learning the Takri Pahari script, he began focusing on family styles, looking in detail for the technique, narratives, and composition.

“All my life I have striven to bring the painter out of obscurity. I want him in the front row. He must be under the spotlight. But how does one do that? Isn't art anonymous?

“Sadly, there is no proper documentation, the artist just appears like a firefly in the dark. We must peep into the mind of the artist, identify his processes, develop respect, and decipher.

“Then, we get to know about the sociological and cultural facts of that era. You see, an art historian needs to be a compound of a camel, hawk, ant, and peacock. He must have the memory of a camel, the eye of a hawk, be industrious as an ant, and learn to enjoy art like a peacock. After all, it's not botany, right?” he had said.

His ‘Wonder of the Age, Master Painters of India, 1100-1900’, an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York showcased a new dimension of Indian art to the world.

For someone who taught himself the Pahari script in order to get a rounded view of the work he was doing, he always felt that it was paramount for a teacher and researcher to go into the field, read, study, interact with people, learn new languages, and understand one’s roots.

Always stressing on the need for archiving and preserving, His last lecture was held in Chandigarh on October 26 on his latest book, 'The India Cat: Stories, Paintings, Poetry and Proverbs.'

Delving into the stories fables from Panchtantra, Jatakas, Katha Sarita Sagar, he created a picture of how cats were viewed in India and how they found an important place in Indian art.

MORE India ARTICLES

Punjab govt spending Rs 750 crore annually on advertisements: SAD

Punjab govt spending Rs 750 crore annually on advertisements: SAD
The SAD leader told the media that the Supreme Court had already noted that if Rs 1,100 crore could be spent on advertisements in Delhi, surely the government could make contributions for infrastructure projects.

Punjab govt spending Rs 750 crore annually on advertisements: SAD

Manipur violence: AAP stages protest in Chandigarh

Manipur violence: AAP stages protest in Chandigarh
Police used cane-charge to disperse the protesters, injuring several of them. AAP leaders raised slogans against the BJP governments at the Centre and blamed Prime Minister Modi and Manipur Chief Minister M. Biren Singh for the situation.

Manipur violence: AAP stages protest in Chandigarh

No college of Haryana will be given affiliation by Panjab University: Mann

No college of Haryana will be given affiliation by Panjab University: Mann
The Chief Minister, who inspected the sites where these hostels will come up, said five new floors will come up over the existing two-storey building of the girls hostels whereas a six-storey boys hostel will also come up in the university. He said these hostels will be constructed while keeping in view the futuristic needs of the students.

No college of Haryana will be given affiliation by Panjab University: Mann

Punjabi Bagh building collapse: Kejriwal govt announces Rs 20 lakh financial aid for victims’ family

Punjabi Bagh building collapse: Kejriwal govt announces Rs 20 lakh financial aid for victims’ family
Delhi Minister Atishi on Tuesday visited the Punjabi Bagh’s Arihant Nagar where two members of the caretaker’s family lost their lives. The Revenue Minister announced that the Delhi government will provide Rs 20 lakh as financial aid to the affected family.

Punjabi Bagh building collapse: Kejriwal govt announces Rs 20 lakh financial aid for victims’ family

‘Summoning special session patently illegal,’ Punjab Gov informs CM

‘Summoning special session patently illegal,’ Punjab Gov informs CM
The governor’s letter was in response to the Chief Minister’s assertion two days back that it is “very unfortunate” that the Governor “does not know whether the June 19-20 session was legal or illegal”. The Governor also warned the AAP government that he has been receiving complaints of corruption.  

‘Summoning special session patently illegal,’ Punjab Gov informs CM

3 Punjab museums to be closed for visitors till July 31 for maintenance work

3 Punjab museums to be closed for visitors till July 31 for maintenance work
The museums in Punjab -- Virasat-e-Khalsa in Anandpur Sahib, Dastan-e-Shahadat in Chamkaur Sahib, and the Golden Temple Plaza in Amritsar, under the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs -- will be closed for visitors till July 31 for half-yearly maintenance work.

3 Punjab museums to be closed for visitors till July 31 for maintenance work