Dr. Lalit Gupta (born 29 August 1953 at Lakhan Pur,

Jammu Jammu is the winter capital of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir (union territory), Jammu and Kashmir. It is the headquarters and the largest city in Jammu district of the union territory. Lying on the banks of the river Tawi Ri ...

), is an Indian art historian, columnist, actor and film maker. He is an authority on

Art History Art history is the study of aesthetic objects and visual expression in historical and stylistic context. Traditionally, the discipline of art history emphasized painting, drawing, sculpture, architecture, ceramics and decorative arts; yet today ...

, remained head of Art History and Aesthetics wing in State Institute of Music and Fine Arts located in Jammu for three decades. He has remained associated with the prestigious projects that document the heritage, paintings and sculptures of Jammu and Kashmir, and he has created a rare archive of photos and slides of important monuments and art works from all three regions of the erstwhile state viz.,

Ladakh Ladakh () is a region administered by India as a union territory which constitutes a part of the larger Kashmir region and has been the subject of dispute between India, Pakistan, and China since 1947. (subscription required) Quote: "Jammu and ...

Kashmir Kashmir () is the northernmost geographical region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term "Kashmir" denoted only the Kashmir Valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal Range. Today, the term encompas ...

and Jammu. Dr. Gupta completed his Ph.D. degree from the

University of Jammu A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States, the ...

, on

Buddhist art Buddhist art is visual art produced in the context of Buddhism. It includes depictions of Gautama Buddha and other Buddhas and bodhisattvas, notable Buddhist figures both historical and mythical, narrative scenes from their lives, mandalas, an ...

in 2009. He regularly presents papers in national and international academic seminars, conferences on various areas related to heritage, culture, literature and history of art. He has been associated with various television channels and has directed more than 50 short films, documentaries on various aspects of Art, Culture and Language. As an actor, he has participated in more than 50 full-length plays being produced by different institutions including

Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages The Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (also known as Cultural Academy) is a Society registered with Government as a Cultural organization dedicated to the promotion of regional languages, art and culture including theatre ...

. As a script writer he has written a number of popular serials and TV documentaries for

Doordarshan Doordarshan (abbreviated as DD; Hindi: , ) is an Indian public service broadcaster founded by the Government of India, owned by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and one of Prasar Bharati's two divisions. One of India's largest bro ...

on different aspects of

Dogra The Dogras or Dogra people, are an Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group in India and Pakistan consisting of the Dogri language speakers. They live predominantly in the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir, and in adjoining areas of Punjab, Himachal ...

Heritage. He is a popular columnist of state and working for the largest daily newspaper ''

Daily Excelsior The ''Daily Excelsior'' is an English-language newspaper published in Jammu, a city in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It was established by S. D. Rohmetra. The newspaper has been in publication since 1 January 1965. Its cu ...

'' being published from Jammu since 1965.

Other works

A founder member of reputed

NGO A non-governmental organization (NGO) or non-governmental organisation (see spelling differences) is an organization that generally is formed independent from government. They are typically nonprofit entities, and many of them are active in h ...

s of Jammu and Kashmir including Preserve Art Treasures and Heritage, Friends of

and Indian Society for Buddhist Studies, he is working towards creating awareness about the preservation and conservation of artistic heritage amongst the members of the civil society as well as initiating a meaningful dialogue, interaction with various governmental agencies already working in the field.

Contributions

Engaged by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board to prepare a concept design for setting up Dogra Heritage Centre and Museum Jammu. He has also worked for Photo Documentation of Ancient Art, a high-profile project funded by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages. He also curated a contemporary art exhibition, ‘March 99’ for Amar Mahal Museum and Library,

Memberships

He is a member of the Board of Studies, Faculty of Music and Fine Arts, Board of Studies, Centre for Museology, Faculty of Music and Fine Arts University of Jammu.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gupta, Lalit 1953 births Living people University of Jammu alumni