Narmada Prasad Upadhyaya is a noted scholar of Hindi literature and Indian painting. Among his books on Indian painting are, Bharatiya Chitrankan Prampara (Hindi), Paar Roop Ke (Hindi), Jain Chitrankan Parampara (Hindi), Kanheri Geet Govinda Paintings in Kanheri Style, The Concept of Portrait in the Context of Indian Miniature Paintings, The Color’s Fragrance, Paintings of Bundelkhand: Some Remembered, Some Forgotten, Some Not Yet Discovered (with Dr Harsha V. Dehejia) and Amarushatak: A Centennial of Love Songs (with Dr. Harsha V. Dehejia). He was awarded the Kala Bhushan in 2003 and the Sharad Joshi Award for Lalit Nibandha.