author's data

[Klaus Karttunen]

Rosa EG Franco asked about William George Archer and M.S. Randhawa.

Extracted from the MS. of:

K. Karttunen: WHO WAS WHO IN WESTERN INDOLOGY. Including South Asian,
Iranian, and Tibetan Studies. A Biographical Dictionary 

ARCHER, William George. 11.2.1907 — 6.3.1979. British Ethnologist and
Art Historian of India. In India 1931–48, then at the Victoria and
Albert Museum. Son of William A., educated at Strand School. Studied
history at Cambridge (Emmanuel College) and aspired for a good position
in Whitehall, but poor success (bad handwriting) at the Home and I.C.S.
Examination changed his plans. In 1931 he came to India for I.C.S., was
posted in Bihar and soon developed an interested in India. Began as
Sub-Divisional OfÞcer, then 1938-39 District Magistrate in Purnea,
1939-41 Super-Intendent of the Census in Bihar, 1941-42 District
Magistrate in Patna, 1942-45 Deputy Commissioner of the Santal Parganas,
then 1945-46 Special OfÞcer investigating Santal Law, and 1946-48
Additional Deputy Commissioner in the Naga Hills. In 1934 married with
—> Mildred A., one son, one daughter.
                In 1948 WGA returned to England. In 1949-59 Keeper of the Indian
Section of the Victoria and Albert Museum, from 1959 Keeper emeritus.
Began his scholarly career as Ethnologist, but in Patna interested soon
in Mali and Maithili paintings, and concentrated in art history. Wrote,
among other works, a monumental handbook of Pahari miniatures.

Publications: The Blue Grove: the Poetry of the Uraons. 210 p. L. 1940;
The Vertical Man: A Study in Primitive Indian Sculpture. 122 p. L. 1947
(Ahirs); The Hill of Flutes. Life, Love, and Poetry in Tribal India. A
Portrait of the Santals. 379 p. 1972; Tribal law and justice: a report
on the Santal. 1-3. 36+7+741 p. N.D. 1984. Edited: Man in India 1942-49.
– Songs for the Bride: Wedding Rites of rural India. Ed. by B. S. Miller
& M. Archer. 40+181 p. Studies in Oriental Cultures 20. N. Y. 1985.
– Indian painting in the Punjab Hills. 98 p. L. 1952; Kangra painting.
24 p. 10 pl. L. 1952; Bazaar paintings of Calcutta. 76 p. L. 1953;
Garhwal painting. 24 p. 10 pl. L. 1954; Indian painting. 1957; The loves
of Krishna. Indian painting and poetry. 127 p. 39 pl. L. 1957; Indian
paintings from Rajasthan. 1957; Central Indian painting. 22 p. L. 1958;
Indian painting in Bundi and Kotah. 58 p. L. 1959; India and modern art.
143 p. L. 1959; Indian miniatures. L. 1960; Kalighat drawings. 1962;
Paintings of the Sikhs. 284 p. L. 1966; Kalighat paintings. A Catalogue
and an Introduction. 127 p. L. 1971.
– with M. Archer: Indian painting for the British 1770–1880. 145 p. 24
pl. L. 1955.
– with S. Paranavitana: Ceylon: paintings from temple shrine and rock. 1958.
– edited: Ka*ma Su*tra, translated by Sir R. Burton and F. F. Arbuthnot.
1963; Love Songs of Vidya*pati. Transl. by Deben Bhattacharya, edited
with an introd., notes and comments by W. G. A. 148 p. L. 1963; Koka
°a*stra. 1964 (= Ratirahasya); Sa‘di*'s Gulista*n. 1964.
– Indian paintings from the Punjab Hills. 1–2. 1972.
Sources: R. Skelton, JRAS 1979, 186–188; Who Was Who 1970-80.

 Of Mohinder Singh Randhawa I do not have a full biography. He was old
enough to be active before the independence. He was the special
commissioner of Chandigarh and the Vice-Chancellor of the Agricultural
University of Chandigarh and still living in the 1980s. He wrote at
least 10 books about Indian painting and a few about sculpture.

I’m sorry that my transcription font will not be readable in correct
form, but that cannot be helped.

Regards

Klaus