One of the world’s oldest civilizations, if not the oldest, India is a vast country, with pluralities of religions, languages, ethnic groups, customs and cultures. Its every region exhibits countless works of art. Besides their incredible diversity, the antiquity of these objects of art is at once amazing. Even if the history of Indian art has, over the time, been extensively probed and written about from different viewpoints, it remains a relatively virgin area, holding out endless possibilities of research, fresh interpretations, and fresh studies. This festschrift, intended to honour a renowned museologist and art historian, is yet another scholarly effort in the direction.

Carrying 30 well-researched papers, written by noted art historians and scholars, the volume examines afresh a variety of art forms: stone sculptures, terracotta figurines, bas reliefs, bronzes, coins, murals, textiles, manuscripts and miniature paintings, among others. More specifically, it considers Lakshmi images in the art of the Paramaras, a unique icon of Siva, a rare image of Surya, rare Jain sculptures, newly discovered Brahma and Skanda images, medieval bronzes of Bihar, Gita-Govinda paintings, Ragamala painting series, ships in Ajanta murals, early Orissan art and architecture, Jain temples at Khajuraho, and several other themes. The papers here are supported by over 150 illustrations.

Dr M.L. Nigam (b. August 1933): the former Director of the prestigious Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad, is a widely-acclaimed authority on museology, eminent art historian, poet, artist, untiring researcher and prolific writer. Elected Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland (in 1962-63), Dr Nigam is also a recipient of many awards/honours and has held numerous important positions. In recognition of his expertise in the field of museology, Government of India nominated him on a number of bodies: both national and international.

Dr Alok Tripathi: a highly distinguished scholar of underwater archaeology in the Asia-Pacific region, is currently Director, Centre for Archaeology and Museology, and also Head of the History Department, Assam University, Silchar. D.R. Gehlot is Joint Director General, Archaeological Survey of India.