<p>I started my career as a civil servant, and I resigned after two and a half years. It was not for me,” says Brijinder Nath Goswamy, a celebrated art historian and critic. Goswamy recently gave a talk at the National Gallery of Modern Art on ‘Vishnusahasranama: A Thousand Names – The Indian Painters’ vision of Vishnu’, hosted by the Mahua Art Foundation. Metrolife caught up with the Padma Bhushan laureate for a candid conversation.</p>.<h3 class="Question"><strong><span class="bold">About your inclination towards art...</span></strong></h3>.<p>I won’t say the art that I write about these days but essentially in literature and history. I was a student of history, and I wanted to do something in that area. My friends presented me with this book and a particular chapter -the religious background of the paintings attracted me. I started to dig deeper into the subject; on social background and other areas, and that’s how I got committed to art.</p>.<h3 class="Question"><strong><span class="bold">What is the idea behind ‘Vishnusahasranama’?</span></strong></h3>.<p>It is not really the Vishnusaharanama per se. The God’s various aspects and qualities are explored, and it is interesting to see how a painter could handle such a theme. It is a visual and intellectual challenge.</p>.<h3 class="Question"><strong><span class="bold">Do you also follow modern art?</span></strong></h3>.<p>I am aware of it. I have also written a few essays; not an illiterate in it. But I am mostly concerned with the traditional pre-modern art of India and that because it is undervalued. It is a rich and layered art which most of us don’t see. I am anxious to see the honour due to traditional art is given to it.</p>.<h3 class="Question"><strong><span class="bold">Is appreciation for traditional art declining?</span></strong></h3>.<p>It is now catching up. There is a thought process; it is not just a visual. I know a number of contemporary art-collectors who want to learn about it. And there are also some artists turning to this form of art.</p>.<h3 class="Question"><strong><span class="bold">What are you working on, currently?</span></strong></h3>.<p>Sitting in Bengaluru, it is nice for me to say I am working on a South Indian manuscript from Mysore. It is about the Bhagavata Purana, produced under a Wadiyar ruler in the second-quarter of the 19th century. It is painted magnificently. It is in the San Diego museum. I always had an eye on that manuscript and wanted them to publish it. I have just finished writing on those and it is going to be a book, which will be out early next year.</p>.<h3 class="Question"><strong><span class="bold">Have you tried your hand at painting?</span></strong></h3>.<p>No, I haven’t. I recognise my limits.</p>.<h3 class="Question"><strong><span class="bold">Your advice to those who want to pursue art.</span></strong></h3>.<p>Whichever area you enter, seize it; occupy it. Identify the area that draws you to itself. No cursory superficial interest will help you grow.</p>.<h2 class="CrossHead">Other interests</h2>.<p>Goswamy’s interests include Urdu poetry and classical music. Singer Kumar Gandharva is his favourite musician. If not art history, he would have pursued literature.</p>.<h2 class="CrossHead">First book</h2>.<p>‘Nainukh of Guler: Great Indian Painter from a Small Hill-State’ by Goswamy in 1997 is the first book written on an individual painter of the past. He also wrote another book on a painter, titled ‘Manaku of Guler:The Life and Work of Another Great Indian Painter from a Small Hill State’. He wants to break the anonymity of Indian painters.</p>
<p>I started my career as a civil servant, and I resigned after two and a half years. It was not for me,” says Brijinder Nath Goswamy, a celebrated art historian and critic. Goswamy recently gave a talk at the National Gallery of Modern Art on ‘Vishnusahasranama: A Thousand Names – The Indian Painters’ vision of Vishnu’, hosted by the Mahua Art Foundation. Metrolife caught up with the Padma Bhushan laureate for a candid conversation.</p>.<h3 class="Question"><strong><span class="bold">About your inclination towards art...</span></strong></h3>.<p>I won’t say the art that I write about these days but essentially in literature and history. I was a student of history, and I wanted to do something in that area. My friends presented me with this book and a particular chapter -the religious background of the paintings attracted me. I started to dig deeper into the subject; on social background and other areas, and that’s how I got committed to art.</p>.<h3 class="Question"><strong><span class="bold">What is the idea behind ‘Vishnusahasranama’?</span></strong></h3>.<p>It is not really the Vishnusaharanama per se. The God’s various aspects and qualities are explored, and it is interesting to see how a painter could handle such a theme. It is a visual and intellectual challenge.</p>.<h3 class="Question"><strong><span class="bold">Do you also follow modern art?</span></strong></h3>.<p>I am aware of it. I have also written a few essays; not an illiterate in it. But I am mostly concerned with the traditional pre-modern art of India and that because it is undervalued. It is a rich and layered art which most of us don’t see. I am anxious to see the honour due to traditional art is given to it.</p>.<h3 class="Question"><strong><span class="bold">Is appreciation for traditional art declining?</span></strong></h3>.<p>It is now catching up. There is a thought process; it is not just a visual. I know a number of contemporary art-collectors who want to learn about it. And there are also some artists turning to this form of art.</p>.<h3 class="Question"><strong><span class="bold">What are you working on, currently?</span></strong></h3>.<p>Sitting in Bengaluru, it is nice for me to say I am working on a South Indian manuscript from Mysore. It is about the Bhagavata Purana, produced under a Wadiyar ruler in the second-quarter of the 19th century. It is painted magnificently. It is in the San Diego museum. I always had an eye on that manuscript and wanted them to publish it. I have just finished writing on those and it is going to be a book, which will be out early next year.</p>.<h3 class="Question"><strong><span class="bold">Have you tried your hand at painting?</span></strong></h3>.<p>No, I haven’t. I recognise my limits.</p>.<h3 class="Question"><strong><span class="bold">Your advice to those who want to pursue art.</span></strong></h3>.<p>Whichever area you enter, seize it; occupy it. Identify the area that draws you to itself. No cursory superficial interest will help you grow.</p>.<h2 class="CrossHead">Other interests</h2>.<p>Goswamy’s interests include Urdu poetry and classical music. Singer Kumar Gandharva is his favourite musician. If not art history, he would have pursued literature.</p>.<h2 class="CrossHead">First book</h2>.<p>‘Nainukh of Guler: Great Indian Painter from a Small Hill-State’ by Goswamy in 1997 is the first book written on an individual painter of the past. He also wrote another book on a painter, titled ‘Manaku of Guler:The Life and Work of Another Great Indian Painter from a Small Hill State’. He wants to break the anonymity of Indian painters.</p>