Dr Nagaswamy’s contributions on the Global Stage
In December 2014, Tamil Heritage Trust organized a Pechu Kacheri at Tatvaaloka audiotrium, Eldams Road, Teynampet, to honour Dr Nagaswamy, noted archaeologist, historian, and polymath, former Director of the Tamilnadu State Archaeology department. Dr Marxia Gandhi helped put together a panel of people he trained in epigraphy at the TN Archaeology department. They presented his discoveries in various fields like Archaeology, Epigraphy, Coins, Bronzes, Literature etc. On the final day Nagaswamy himself delivered an illustrated lecture on a topic of his choice. He chose the Chola paintings in Rajaraja Choleesvaram, the Big temple in Tanjavur.
On the first day, Prof Swaminathan, founder THT, presented his own take on Dr Nagaswamy's Tamil book "Oviyap Paavai" on the various arts - stone sculptures, paintings, bronzes, wooden images etc - found across the length and breadth of Tamilnadu. The script was based on the excerpt from the book, selected by Swaminathan, and voiced by Nagaswamy.
Prof Swaminathan was kind enough to honour me with the task of presenting a selection of Dr Nagaswamy's papers at international seminars and journals. My lecture, titled "Atyanta - beyond borders" followed that of Swaminathan.
I met Nagaswamy at his residence around October 2014. He gave me a few journals and books and pointed out selected articles which were presented or published at international fora. Of these I chose a subset and created a Powerpoint, and brief summary document.
In this series, I will present my brief summary of these papers of Nagaswamy.
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Introduction
Dr
Nagaswamy’s contributions on the world stage exhibit breadth, depth and
sagacity. He has interacted with scholars on Indian art and history from across
the world, spoken at museums and universities, submitted path breaking papers
and enlightened scholar and layman alike on subjects as diverse as South Indian
Bronzes, Art of the Pandyas, identifying the Tanthrapitha Purnagiri, connecting
Chidambaram and Bengal, Temples of Village Gods, Jain art under the Pallavas
and Dolmens and Hero Stones.
His
services as an expert witness in the Pattur Nataraja case, were singled out for
praised by the Justices of the London High Court.
Such
international scholars as AL Basham, Douglas Barrett, Willem Willets, Mulk Raj
Anand have remarked on his scholarship. He has debated scholars like Michael
Lockwood on Mahabalipuram and the Rockfort Mahendra Pallava inscription; Michael Witzel
on Harappa/Vedas. As a publisher, he has brought out books explaining the
spread of Sanskrit and Indian culture in Central, South East and East Asia. His
contributions of the links between South India and South East Asia are seminal.
Aesthetic and Idiom
The
aesthetic of Indian Art in sculpture, bronze and painting is enhanced by idioms
in Indian Languages, especially the vast literature in Sanskrit and Tamil. Art
reflects Literature – the Vedas, Puranas, Itihasas, Tevaram, Divya Prabhandham,
Tiruvilaiyaadal, Tiruttonda Puranam, have inspired most depictions in temples.
An understanding of such Literature enhances a person’s aesthetic sense and
enables him to enjoy these works of Art.
By
bringing to bear his vast knowledge of literature mentioned above, and others
too, on his reading of history from epigraphy, Dr Nagaswamy has enriched the
public understanding of such art, and countered the misconceptions of scholars
who are unaware of some of these literary works.
His
rhetorical skill in drafting the written word and delivering these concepts in
resonant oratory are unrivaled.
We
present here a selection of papers and lectures he has delivered in
international fora and published in foreign journals.
- Ardhanaari, Harihara and Nataraja
- Chidambaram and Bengal
- Purnagiri - the Tantrapitha
- Jain art under the Pallavas
- The Indian pictures of Governor Peter Anker
- Temples of village Gods
- Dolmens : Hero stones
- Pallava influence on Chalukya art
- Temporal seat of authority in Rural and Urban settlements
- Art of the Pandyas
Related Links
Tolkappiyam and Bharata's Natya Shaastra
மயிலாப்பூரில் பல்லவர் இசை
My blogs on history
My blogs on art
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