Leh, Ladakh, 2 Oct: Sacred Art of Ladakh: Fading Treasures, is a visually evocative coffee-table book by industrialist, explorer and photographer Shreekant Somany, which was ceremonially unveiled today by Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena at The Grand Dragon Ladakh in Leh. Published by Niyogi Books, the book traces Ladakh’s sacred Buddhist art, architecture and spiritual traditions it seeks to document and help preserve.
“Sacred Art of Ladakh: Fading Treasures is much more than a collection of photographs; it is a timely documentation of Ladakh’s rich culture, art, traditions and heritage. Shri Shreekant Somany has meticulously captured the region’s sacred art and cultural heritage, bringing to light a deep-rooted artistic and philosophical tradition that is integral to Ladakh’s. At a time when age and environmental conditions are making them increasingly vulnerable, documenting and preserving them is a collective responsibility. I commend Shri Shreekant Somany for bringing this invaluable legacy to a wider audience and drawing attention to the need for its preservation.”— Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena
Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh
The project grew out of Shreekant Somany’s nine journeys to Ladakh over more than four decades, beginning with his first visit in 1981. During these travels, he witnessed fading pigments, water-damaged murals and deteriorating plaster threatening artworks created by generations of unknown artists. The camera consequently became more than a means of artistic expression, it became a way of preserving a visual memory of treasures that may otherwise be irretrievably lost. The book brings together evocative photography and scholarly insights from 16 sacred and historic sites. These include Lamayuru, Mangyu, Sumda, Wanla, Thiksey, Hemis and Leh Palace, alongside ancient monasteries, rock-carved statues, murals, sculptures, palaces, caves and forts that remain little known beyond the region.
Through the book, Shreekant Somany seeks to raise awareness of Ladakh’s fading artistic and spiritual traditions and inspire their preservation for future generations. Reinforcing this commitment, he has pledged the entire royalty from the book’s sales to initiatives dedicated to safeguarding this invaluable heritage.
“Ladakh has drawn me back repeatedly not only for its landscape, but for the depth of faith, artistry and history held within its monasteries and monuments. This book is my effort to share what I have witnessed and to encourage greater appreciation and care for a heritage that is both precious and vulnerable, many of which will be lost in the next decade or so, if not preserved” said Shreekant Somany. The book also introduces readers to the symbolism and iconography of Buddhist art. At the same time, it draws attention to a fragile cultural legacy increasingly threatened by time, weather and deterioration.
About Shreekant Somany
Shreekant Somany is an industrialist, explorer, photographer and patron of the arts. As Chairman and Managing Director of Somany Ceramics Limited, he has spent over five decades building one of India’s leading ceramic and building-solutions companies. His photographic work, exhibited in India and abroad, reflects a deep engagement with culture, craftsmanship and the passage of time.
