Internationally acclaimed art historian and thinker Professor B. N. Goswamy gave an audio visual presentation and Dr. M S Randhawa Memorial Lecture, on the theme of “Aspects of Time in Indian painting: Kaala, Samay, Waqt” at Punjab Kala Bhawan, Chandigarh on the invitation of Punjab Kala Parishad and Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi during the ongoing Dr. M. S. Randhawa Arts and Literature Festival 2018. Professor B. N. Goswamy was also conferred Punjab Gaurav Sanmaan by Punjab Kala Parishad for his distinguished contribution in the field of art with a plaque, citation and a cheque of Rs. one lakh. Mr. Surjit Patar, Chairman Punjab Arts Council conferred the Punjab Gaurav sanmaan upon Dr. Goswamy along with Diwan Manna and Neelam Man Singh Chowdhury.Professor Goswamy talked about various facets of time and the notions people have about time. He gave examples of scriptures and explained in detail, with carefully chosen visuals of Indian miniature paintings, on how Indian Painters of earlier times were able to describe time visually in their paintings. For instance all the Ten Sikh Gurus are shown sitting together in one painting from the Sikh Miniature paintings – Gurus belonging to different times shown at one time. Similarly Lord Krishna is shown in various stages in one narrative. On the occasion Diwan Manna , artist and President Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi spoke about how Professor Goswamy has been instrumental in introducing the finer nuances of Indian Art to the rest of the world. He has brought the focus on Indian artists and made them get importance in the eyes of the western art historians, scholars and cultural theorists. He also said that Prof. Goswamy is the most distinguished art historian after Anand Kentish Coomaraswamy in last century.
It is worth mentioning that Prof. Goswamy has been a visiting Professor to various prestigious Universities the world over and is currently Professor Emeritus of Art History at Panjab University. He has written numerous books on the subjects of Indian Art during a distinguished career of more than 60 years.