The Gupta era is considered the golden age of North Indian art for all major religions. While scholars acknowledge the nurturing role of immediate earlier centuries comprising Mauryan, Sunga and Kushan periods, the roots of Gupta art ran deep in the art of much earlier epochs.
In his Talk “The Influence of Copper Age Images on Gupta Era Icons”, Dr J Manuel throws light on the art antecedents of more than two millennia earlier viz., the Copper Ochre Pottery of the Ganga-Yamuna Doab, and how it continued to influence the iconography of deities before and during the Gupta period.
The Speaker:
Dr J Manuel is a Senior Research Fellow at the Padmasree V S Wakankar Archaeological Research Institute, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Earlier he retired as the Dy. Superintending Archaeologist of the ASI.
In addition to his PhD, Dr Manuel holds an MA in History, MSc in Applied Geology and PG Diploma in Archaeoiogy. He has participated in the excavation of several archaeological sites including at Dholavira, Bijamandal, Lalkot, Sanchi and Bhimbetka among others - spanning pre-historic, Harappan, proto-historic to medieval periods. He has contributed to the setting up of museums and to efficient management and conservation of sites.
He has published over 150 articles in reputed journals and edited volumes and presented papers at over 60 conferences and seminars. He has conducted numerous training programs and delivered lectures at academic institutions.
