18112023-LSTL-01.qxd 11/18/2023 12:00 AM Page 1 c m y b THE OMEN PREQUEL ON WAY Remember Richard Donner’s supernatural horror film The Omen, which was released in 1976? A prequel to it is now all set for release in theatres on April 5. The studio also shared a first-look image of the film. TRIBUNE It’s done Life Actress Yami Gautam, who is known for Bollywood movies Vicky Donor, Uri, OMG 2, and others, has wrapped up the shooting of the ‘most important film’ of her career, which is yet untitled. LUDHIANA | SATURDAY | 18 NOVEMBER 2023 ‘He was the soul of the city’ Mona I just feel privileged to live in the same city, same century to meet a man like him, to have him as a teacher one dreams about – is the sentiment that keeps echoing over and over again as Chandigarh bids adieu to Prof BN Goswamy His life was gentle; and the elements So mixed in him, that Nature might stand up And say to all the world, THIS WAS A MAN! …wrote William Shakespeare about Julius Caesar. These are the words that were incanted to describe Prof BN Goswamy, who bid adieu to this world on Friday, time and again through the day. He was 90. A muchloved and revered figure in Chandigarh, art historian Prof Goswamy’s acclaim is spread the world over. His loss, mourned like no other. As the shock of his passing away registered, who’s who of the city headed to the cremation ground in Sector 25 to pay their last respects. Born Brijinder Nath Goswamy, in Sargodha, Punjab Province under the British India, he started his professional career with Indian Administrative Service that he left to pursue his passion for arts. He authored about 26 books on the subjects of Pahari, miniature paintings, court painters and masters of Indian paintings among others. How he traced and reconstructed detailed genealogies of several families of Pahari artists with a great deal of accuracy gathering information from Haridwar and Pehowa to Kashmir and Varanasi — wherever people from Kangra went to perform the last rites of their family members — is a feat people talk about. Fondly called BNG in art circles, he also set up the Department of Fine Arts in Panjab University. Recipient of Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowship, Sarabhai Fellowship and Mellon Senior Fellow of the National Humanities Center, North Carolina; Prof Goswamy was a recipient of Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan. Calling him a ‘national treasure’, theatre thespian Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry, shares, “I just feel privileged to live in the same city, same century to meet a man like him, to have him as a teacher one dreams about.” She recalls how she first met him through his wife Karuna Goswamy, and showed him some paintings she drew, “Pretty bad they were, and how he saw them so carefully, with such delicacy and dignity as if they were a piece of art.” Neelam Mansingh later joined the Department of Fine Art as a student. “His classes were magical. He taught us to look at a piece of art, to see the colour, composition and how to think in abstract manner. One learnt new terms every day.” When Neelam Mansingh came to Chandigarh post her Delhi, Mumbai, Bhopal sojourn to call it her home, Karuna and Prof Goswamy took her under their wings. “He treated everyone with such respect and made them feel important. In the world of art, he was the force of nature. He was a rock star.” Artist Diwan Manna, president, Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi, calls this a personal loss. “To me he was the soul of city. He brought grace, dignity, elegance, elo- Big day for music lovers Jonas Brothers, One Republic to perform in India WORDS OF WISDOM Prof BN Goswamy specialised in Pahari painting and Indian miniature paintings but wrote and spoke on variety of themes. His most recent book The Indian Cat: Stories, Paintings, Poetry, and Proverbs looks at all the varied ways in which cats have made themselves a home in our art, literature, and speech, and our hearts. Nainsukh of Guler: A Great Indian Painter From a Small Hill-State (1997), Wondrous Images: Krishna seen as Shrinath-ji (Pichhwais of the Vallabha Sampradaya) (2014), Indian Costumes In The Collection Of The Calico Museum Of Textiles 2013, Ranga Roopa: God.Words.Images (2010), Piety and Splendour: Sikh Heritage in Art (2000), Krishna - The Divine Lover: Myth and Legend Through Indian Art (1982) are amongst his celebrated tomes that talk of his wide range. He engaged readers through his column Art & Soul in The Tribune writing of course on art alongwith eclectic topics right from vaccines fragrances to more recently nursery rhymes! quence to whosoever he touched. He was a man of high intellect who exuded grace. He was dignity moving around in shape of human being. He brought Indian art to the forefront single-handedly. He focused on Indian art that drifted towards the Western influence and managed to put a break to it. He showed the Indian way of consuming, producing art, our cul- tural legacy, our own stories, lived experiences, cultural moorings. His going is a huge personal loss.” “The passing away of Dr BN Goswamy is a colossal loss the world of Indian art,” c m y b said painter and art historian Vijay Sharma. “He was a scholar class apart equal to the rank of Ananda Coomaraswamy and Rai Krishandas. Although he is known internationally as a scholar of Indian painting, yet his specialization was in Pahari miniature painting. I know him since 1983 when he visited Chamba Museum to participate in a seminar. His scholarly works were path breaking with new approach to appreciate the merits of miniatures. The vacuum created after his passing away cannot be filled.” “What a terrible loss to the world of art and history. My deepest sympathies to Dr Goswamy’s family. Dr Goswamy’s presence will live on in the tremendous contribution he has made to the world of Indian Art History. His work is a treasure gifted to current and future generations of readers and students. Thank you Dr Goswamy for expanding my mind,” shared authorartist Belinder Dhanoa. Our easy accessibility to Prof Goswamy, at times, made us forget his global presence. Yashaswini Chandra, lecturer in South Asian Art History at University of Edinburgh, was shocked and dismayed at his demise. “As a student of art history, you know Prof Goswamy even before you actually know him. I had a chance to discuss my work with him about a decade back, and he was so encouraging. His scholarship is so seminal. He is a master of aesthetics concerning Pahari paintings, very much dedicated to its social dimension. He was a pioneer in emphasising the role of artists notwithstanding the social status looking beyond the elite patronage. The outlook he gave to us is important. He was strongly rooted, basing self in Chandigarh and HE WILL BE HUGELY MISSED ❝ Devastated to hear of the death of my beloved friend and mentor, BN Goswamy, India’s greatest art historian and one of the wisest and most brilliant men I ever met. He was a kind friend, a generous mentor, a rigorous scholar, a fabulous writer and an entrancing speaker who every year hypnotised the audiences @JaipurLitFest with his wit, subtlety and erudition. He was irreplaceable and will be hugely missed. Om shanti!❞ WILLIAM DALRYMPLE, HISTORIAN yet ensuring the interest of the world in Indian art. In him, we have lost a giant.” Expressing profound sorrow, Banwarilal Purohit, Governor of Punjab and the Administrator of UT, Chandigarh extended his deepest condolences on the passing of Dr Goswamy. “The contributions of Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan awardee Dr Goswamy to the understanding and appreciation of art were immense. His dedication and scholarship as an art historian and an art critic were unparalleled, leaving an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come. The loss of Dr Goswamy is an immeasurable blow to the Indian art and culture. During this time of mourning, I extend my heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends, and admirers of Dr Goswamy. May the Almighty grant solace to his departed soul and bestow strength upon those affected by this irreparable loss. May the memories of Dr Goswamy’s extraordinary life bring comfort to all who mourn his loss, and may his contributions always be remembered and cherished,” said the Governor. January 2024 is all set to become extremely special for music lovers in India as popular bands Jonas Brothers, One Republic and legendary singer Sting will perform in Mumbai at the second edition of Lollapalooza. On Friday, BookMyShow Live announced the line-up of renowned artists from around the globe and India for the twoday gig, which will be held at Mahalaxmi Race Course, Mumbai. The music festival will also feature performances by Halsey, modern dance music duo Jungle, English rock band Royal Blood, American rapper JPEGMAFIA, Italian EDM artist Meduza, French house DJ Malaa, and the unique blend of psychedelic and pop music from Caribou. From the Indian contingent, audience can expect stellar performances from Anoushka Shankar, The Raghu Dixit Project and When Chai Met Toast as well as The Karan Kanchan Experience, Parvaaz, Prabh Deep, Dualist Inquiry, Komorebi, Parekh & Singh, Skrat, Kamakshi Khanna, JBABE, Chrms, Dewdrops, Shashwat Bulusu, Jatayu, Monophonik, Sublime Sound, Stalvart John, Long Distances and Megan Murray. Speaking of the previous edition, fans saw Imagine Dragons, Jackson Wang, among others performing at Lollapalooza. — ANI Nora Fatehi set to embark on World Tour in 2024 On globalstage Nora Fatehi will embark on a grand World Tour in early 2024, during which she will not only perform her Bollywood solos but also unveil a new international track, solidifying her status as a stellar performer, bringing Bollywood’s glamour, colours, and magic to international audience. The tour will also showcase her vocal talents, as well as see her dish out some of her more eclectic dance performances. Reaching out to international levels on this front is something that marks a turning point in the Batla House alum’s career. As the course of her professional life is taking a new turn due to her world tour, Nora Fatehi is also gearing up to star in a roster of upcoming films. She is poised to make her Telugu debut in actor Varun Tej’s film Matka. In the Bollywood realm, Nora is set to grace the screen alongside Vidyut Jammwal in the high-octane thriller Crakk, showcasing her acting prowess. — IANS