Introduction to the Book 'Sri Harmandir Sahib(Fully Illustrated)' By Dr. Daljit , Prof. P.C. Jain

To the authors of this book, Sri Harimandar Sahib is both the lamp and the light, what is not only 'created' but also endowed with the power 'to cre­ate'. In this humble attempt at unveiling the sub­limity of an otherwise simple, puritan brick-struc­ture, this work seeks to discover in Sri Harimandar Sahib, the cosmic as well as the spiritual vision of its founder. It is not a mere thesis of the mind, but something far beyond, derived from its spiritual and technical perception that Sri Harimandar Sahib did not or rather could not deviate from its original concept, vision and design, despite its recurrent renovation and reconstruction. It essen­tially remains as Sri Guru Arjan Dev had conceived it, synthesising into its very being the best of all prevalent architectural forms and traditions, though at the same time ably distancing itself from them all - the mosque, Hindu or Jain temple, Buddhist vihara or a church. Even the wide expanse of Sikh architecture does not have, in form or in spiritual magnificence, a second Harimandar, the second abode of the Nirankara. Like Ek-Omkar, Sri Harimandar Sahib is only One, and none other. Thereby the Harimandar is, and always was, a saint's vision and not a monarch's creation, as sometimes it has been considered so.

Sri Harimandar Sahib, thus, with its divine, time­less quality, intermittent magic, great aesthetic beauty and sublimity of form, is as much a theme for the eye. Hence, the book has as strong a visual thrust and wide-ranging photographs bring forth the rich monumental wealth, that include the 18th century miniature paintings, the 19th century lith­ographs and designs and the early 20th century photos. It also captures Sri Harimandar Sahib's round-the-clock glimpses, bright sunny days, dark and moonlit nights, drowsy evenings, ejecting dawns and its most curious and as much sublime postures. For a fuller perception, the camera has also caught the life at and around Sri Harimandar Sahib, the Temple-related rituals, practices, cele­brations, et al.

This study does not merit Sri Harimandar Sahib over or above others, but essays at discovering what is special about its uniqueness, and how it embodies in an architectural form the body of a dogma, a massive faith, a live tradition and finally the glory of the Supreme. 

About the Authors 'Dr. Daljeet' and 'Prof. P. C. Jain' of 'Sri Harmandir Sahib(Fully Illustrated)' 

Dr. Daljeet, an eminent art scholar, is the Curator-in-charge of the Department of Painting, National Museum. An archaeol­ogist, who later moved to the world of museums, her work has elicited extensive travel both in India and abroad. A prolific writer, she has penned several books, catalogues, portfolios and articles on Indian Art, Architecture and Painting. Her prestigious volume on the Mughal and Deccani Paintings from the collection of the National Museum, New Delhi, has been widely acclaimed both by-scholars and art connoisseurs. Among her other noteworthy publications are Shakuntala, Immortal Miniatures and Monuments of India, Vol. I. She was recently awarded the Delhi State Award, Vishisht Kriti Samman 2002-2003, for her book, Krishna: Raga se Viraga tak. In 1999, at the behest of the Government of Punjab, she set up a special exhibition on the Sikh Heritage at Anandpur Sahib, in commemoration of the tercentenary celebrations of the Birth of the Khalsa. This enterprise culminated in her recent book, The Sikh Heritage: A Search for Totality. Currently; she is working on a catalogue of Pahari Miniatures from the collection of the National Museum.

Prof P. C. Jain, an instinctive poet, lin­guist and aesthetician, commenced his career in 1961, as a lecturer of English literature and accomplished rare research on Hindi linguistics too. Having published his poetry and short stories, he has also translated the book, Introduction to Logic and the Scientific Method, in two volumes.

Subsequently, he made a shift to journalism and active politics, and despite his hectic political life, he continued with his academic pursuits and edited the Hindi daily, Lokpath, for over two decades and contributed stories and articles to several other leading newspapers. His recent publication, Gandhi in Stamps, has been rated as 'an out­standing book'. He too is a co-recipient of the Delhi State Award, Vishisht Kriti Samman 2002-2003 for the book, Krishna: Raga ·se Viraga tak and co-authored other impor­tant publications with Dr Daljeet, that include Shakuntala, Monuments of India, Vol. 1 and Khjuraho. Among his other forthcoming publications with Dr Daljeet include Indian Miniatures, Tantra and Ramayana.