Renowned Art Historian B N Goswamy Passes Away

New Delhi, 18^th November

In a solemn moment for the art community, the legendary art historian and author Padma Bhushan Brijender Nath Goswamy, breathed his last on Friday, 17^th November. He was 90 and was undergoing treatment for lung affliction at Chandigarh. The news of his demise has deeply saddened the art world, leaving admirers and art scholars mourning the loss of a luminary whose contributions have shaped the understanding and appreciation of art.

B N Goswamy, born in 1933, dedicated his life to unraveling the intricacies of Indian art, researching on the various indigenous style of Indian painting as well as sculpture and temple architecture. It was his passion for art that made him resign from IAS job in 1958, after serving for two years. He obtained Doctorate degree for his research on the Kangra Painting style of the lower Himalayas in 1961. Throughout his career, he contributed to research and learning through his association with numerous prestigious universities as academic contributor including University of Heidelberg, University of California, University of Pennsylvania, University of Zurich. He has been a member of the Governing Committee of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) and has chaired the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi. He served as Vice Chairman of the Sarabhai Foundation of Ahmedabad, which runs the Calico Museum of Textiles.

His extensive body of work, spanning decades, encompassed a wide array of research studies on indigenous painting styles such as Pahadi (Pahari), Miniature and Darbari (Court). His dedicated research earned him recognition as one of the foremost authorities in the field. He has more than 27 books to his credit which are considered authentic guiding source on these topics. He was awarded Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan for his substantial research contributions.

As the art community mourns this irreplaceable loss, Professor B N Goswamy’s legacy will undoubtedly endure through the countless individuals he inspired to view art as not just a subject of study but a lifelong journey of exploration and appreciation.