PANORAMA OF INDIAN PAINTING PUBLICATIONS DIVISION Ministry oP INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING OVERNMENT OF INDIAFirst published In May 2988 {Vatsakha 1290) Repelated, January 3971 (Paves 1892) Price tBu 250 PORLISHED 4Y THE PHKETOR, PUILICATIONS OIVISION, MINSTAY OF (FORMATION, AND BROADCASTING, COVERNMENT OF INDUA, PATIALA HOUSE, NEW BELT Regional offices ¢ BOTAWALA CHAMBERS. SIN PrIEROZESHAM MEHTA ROAD, BOMBAY AKASHVANI BHAVAN, EDEN GARDENS, CALCUTIA SMASTII BHAVAN, 35, HADDOWS ROAD, MADRAS Printed at Hooghly Printing Ge , Limited, 41, Chewelaghee Road, Catcutielé.INTRODUCTION wr a tradition spanning two millennia, Indian painting is as remarkable for its continuity as for the variety ofits styles. ‘The serics of National Programme talks broadcast from All Endia Radio during September-October 1965, and brought together here, throws light on the different aspects and phases of the long evolution of Indian Painting. The compilation docs not claim to be comprehensive ; it attempts to cover, with lucidity combined with expertise, the great epochs and the major distinctive styles of Indian painting. In the opening talk, Dr. O. C, Gangoly makes a fascinating collation of data from artefacts and the carliest literary strata to Teconstruct the beginnings of the tradition, In the study of Ajanta and Bagh, the first great efflorescence, Sri Asok Mitra has an original contribution to make regarding the treatment of pers- pective, In the cultural sphere, India has given bountiful gifts to the world and assimilated aa readily intimations from abroad. Dr. Moti Chandra studies the Indianisation of the Persian minia- ture under the Mughals. Dr. Nihar Ranjan Ray traces the perfect blending of Western Indian and Persian miniature traditions in Rajput art, while Dr. Randhawa deals with the fresh- ness and lyricism acquired by this art when transferred to the pic- turesque valleys of the Himalayan piedmont. And lastly, Sri Sanyal surveys the contemporary scene when the Indian painter confronts myriad challenges represented by the dissolution of tradition and the accelerated coming together of cultural and Stylistic impulses from all over the world.