Position of the Creative Arts in Society ralses certain questions in the minds of people, specially those who are concerned with them. Why art and its need for human expression? How is art to be evaluated? What are the different levels on which expression through art takes place? What separates good art form bad art? How does art document and communicate? What is beauty and how do recant trends reflect its changing connotation? Difficult as these questions are they need to be answered in a way which makes art more meaningful.

After wielding the brush playing the sitar interacting with other creative arts administrating and teaching for decades Omprakash Sharma has put together all his experience to present a holistic view of the Arts. Thus the ideas expressed in his book are of someone who has himself been involved in the process of creating art its ecstasies trials and agonies. This lends the book a purposeful subjectivity. At the same time the numerous references or observations made by others in their creative journey impart to it vital objectivity.

The creative Arts have generated tremendous interest and dialogue in the past few decades. Therefore such a book was greatly needed and it is hoped that 'Art in Art' will bring the necessary perspective.

Born December 14, 1932 Received the National Diploma in Fine Art from Delhi Polytechic, 1958 Went to Columbia University, New York, USA, as a Fulbright Scholar for post Graduate studies in Fine Art and Art History, 1964-66.

> Taught Fine Art since 1951. Head of the Art Department at the school of Planning and Architecture New Delhi, 1961-81. Principal, collage of Art New Delhi, 1981-till retirement 1992.

Held 37 solo exhibitions of painting in India and abroad. Participated in several national and international exhibitions. Won a number of coveted awards, including the National Award of Lalit kala Akademi, New Delhi 1969

Written about in important magazines and art columns. Gave several public talks on invitation by art societies, clubs museums and institution in India and aboard. Delhi Doordarshan made a film in 1987 on his life and art. Advisor to various important state and private art committees, university councils and institutions.