Report by Santanu Ganguly, New Delhi: One of India’s premier publishers, Niyogi Books has presented an exquisite selection of the Daniells’ work in India in its latest publication titled Daniells’ India: Views from the Eighteenth Century, which was released by Shri Jawhar Sircar, Chief Executive Officer, Prasar Bharati at the India International Centre in New Delhi on 13th May, 2013.
Professor B.N. Goswamy, distinguished Art Historian, who has written the foreword to the book was present on the occasion. Leading historian, Professor Mushirul Hasan, Director General, National Archives of India who inspired the publication could not attend as he was indisposed.
With the publication of the book, the works of Thomas and William Daniell, which were hitherto lying in the confines of the National Archives of India have become easily accessible to public.
Thomas Daniell was thirty-six years old when he and his nephew William, barely sixteen, sailed out from Gravesend in April 1785 and headed for the East. They arrived in Calcutta via China the next year. The Daniells travelled across India, painting Oriental Scenery wherever they went. Their views were widely appreciated and are representative of that fascinating period.
Initially they announced only two sets of twelve works each. But such was the enthusiasm with which their work was greeted—reflecting the desire, almost the hunger of their countrymen who had served in India or were eager to go there—that, gradually, they had to move on to produce a series in installments of two sets each, amounting to the staggering number of 144 views. Each issue of two sets appeared at intervals of time, and the whole process took close to thirteen years, from 1795 to 1808. The book contains 94 of these works.
Their work, most of which they turned into aquatints—issued in six series of two sets, each consisting of twelve views—became a classic in its own days and has remained so. The Daniells returned to England in September 1794.
The National Archives of India, the repository of the non-current records of the Government of India is holding them in trust for the use of administrators and scholars.
Professor B.N. Goswamy, is a leading authority on Indian art. His work covers a wide range and is regarded, especially in the area of Pahari painting, as having influenced much thinking.
It is interesting to note that Niyogi Books, has established itself as a publisher of fine illustrated books. Starting out in 2004, it has about 200 books on its active list.
Recognised for its high-quality illustrated books on a range of subjects from art and photography to heritage, culture and history of South Asia, Niyogi Books has won several awards and prizes including those from the Federation of Indian Publishers.
Some of its books have been shortlisted for the Man Asian Literary Prize and the Vodafone-Crossword Book Award. Its two travel books, The Alluring North and The Vibrant West received the prestigious National Tourism Awards, 2011-12 from the President of India earlier in March this year.
Daniells’ India: Views from the Eighteenth Century
ISBN: 978-93-81523-63-6
Size: 425x298 mm
Illustrations: 95
Price: Rs 6,000/-
Pages: 204
Hardback with dust jacket
Professor B.N. Goswamy, distinguished Art Historian, who has written the foreword to the book was present on the occasion. Leading historian, Professor Mushirul Hasan, Director General, National Archives of India who inspired the publication could not attend as he was indisposed.
 |
| ‘Daniells’ India: Views From the Eighteenth Century’ Book Launch |
Thomas Daniell was thirty-six years old when he and his nephew William, barely sixteen, sailed out from Gravesend in April 1785 and headed for the East. They arrived in Calcutta via China the next year. The Daniells travelled across India, painting Oriental Scenery wherever they went. Their views were widely appreciated and are representative of that fascinating period.
Initially they announced only two sets of twelve works each. But such was the enthusiasm with which their work was greeted—reflecting the desire, almost the hunger of their countrymen who had served in India or were eager to go there—that, gradually, they had to move on to produce a series in installments of two sets each, amounting to the staggering number of 144 views. Each issue of two sets appeared at intervals of time, and the whole process took close to thirteen years, from 1795 to 1808. The book contains 94 of these works.
Their work, most of which they turned into aquatints—issued in six series of two sets, each consisting of twelve views—became a classic in its own days and has remained so. The Daniells returned to England in September 1794.
The National Archives of India, the repository of the non-current records of the Government of India is holding them in trust for the use of administrators and scholars.
Professor B.N. Goswamy, is a leading authority on Indian art. His work covers a wide range and is regarded, especially in the area of Pahari painting, as having influenced much thinking.
It is interesting to note that Niyogi Books, has established itself as a publisher of fine illustrated books. Starting out in 2004, it has about 200 books on its active list.
Recognised for its high-quality illustrated books on a range of subjects from art and photography to heritage, culture and history of South Asia, Niyogi Books has won several awards and prizes including those from the Federation of Indian Publishers.
Some of its books have been shortlisted for the Man Asian Literary Prize and the Vodafone-Crossword Book Award. Its two travel books, The Alluring North and The Vibrant West received the prestigious National Tourism Awards, 2011-12 from the President of India earlier in March this year.
Daniells’ India: Views from the Eighteenth Century
ISBN: 978-93-81523-63-6
Size: 425x298 mm
Illustrations: 95
Price: Rs 6,000/-
Pages: 204
Hardback with dust jacket
0 comments:
Post a Comment