Art N Soul
Displaying 31 - 40 of 49
One finds a great deal of natural history drawings in Mughal paintings. Here, Prof B.N. Goswamy writes about Botanicum, a book that reminds us how plants appeared on Earth, and how we, in India, have lost the tradition of natural history paintings. (Photo courtesy: The Tribune)
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Through the workmanship of the exquisite ‘Sikander Nama’ shawl from Kashmir, Prof. B.N. Goswamy explores the history and development of the hand-embroidered and hand-woven shawls from the Valley, as opposed to those produced on the loom. (In pic: The ‘Sikandar Nama’ shawl; Photo Courtesy: …
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The Sarabhais of Ahmedabad contributed substantively to Indian culture and cultural institutions. Prof B.N. Goswamy writes about Aparna Basu’s book on the family, which reminds us of times when the tenor of life was different and when values were very often higher, and nobler, than what we see…
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Edwin Lutyens, when he began building what is now Rashtrapti Bhavan, had very little use for symbols, Indian symbols at any rate. Prof. B.N. Goswamy writes about how Indian symbolism slowly caught up with Lutyens, and is amply reflected in the architecture of the President’s House. (Photo Courtesy…
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Not a great many velvets has survived, except in select public collections. Private collections of the fabric are rather rare. Prof B.N. Goswamy writes about the significance of velvets in Mughal courts and what he learnt about silks through an exhibition. (In pic: Fragment of a tent. Velvet with…
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The hashiya, a word usually used for a margin or border, has enjoyed a special place in art and documentation, but is ignored by the mainstream. Prof. B.N. Goswamy writes about the hashiyas in Indian painting. (In pic: Painting of a holy man visited by a prince; Photo courtesy: The Tribune)
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In the 18th century, it was fairly common for officers of the East India Company and their families to record the landscape, architecture, people, customs, beliefs, festivals, flora and fauna of India. The famous Louisa Parlby album, named after the British lady who put such a collection together,…
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The popular 'Snakes and Ladders' board game existed in India several centuries ago, in the form of Gyan Chaupar, wherein the game had a 'value system' incorporated in it. Virtues and vices were modified depending upon who designed the 'board'. Prof B.N. Goswamy traces the Indian origins and…
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Little known in India, Stefan Norblis was a celebrity back home in Poland. The early 1940s saw the artist landing in India, where he mixed art deco with his European modernism to make royal portraits and interior designs. Prof. B.N. Goswamy writes about Norblis' work in India, especially for the …
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Back in 1875–76, the Prince of Wales, the future Edward VII, came on a tour of India. As a preparation, he had begun to learn about India through acquainting himself with Indian artefacts. His extended tour added to that collection with gifts he had received. Prof. B.N. Goswamy writes about the…
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