Dr R Nagaswamy (1930-2022): A Doyen Of South Indian Archaeology, Epigraphy and History

Dr R Nagaswamy, a doyen of South Indian archaeology, epigraphy and history, passed away on Sunday (Jan 23).

A great field archaeologist, epigraphist, conservator of heritage and a relentless warrior for a cultural awakening among Tamils, he was a prolific writer, producing several scholarly works.

The 91-year-old historian and scholar had an illustrious career, including spending many decades associated with the Archaeological Survey of India. He founded the Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department and served as its director for 22 years till his retirement.

Nagaswamy, who was conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2018, is widely regarded as a guru for a generation of archaeologists in Tamil Nadu.

Several archaeologist or epigraphist, even those who may differed with him ideologically, acknowledges his immense influence on the field. His contribution in bringing back the Pathur Nataraja statue won tremendous appreciation.

Nagaswamy played a pivotal role in restoring numerous historic monuments. Acknowleding his deep expertise and experience in carrying out excavations in temple towns to discover priceless bronzes, he was called as an expert witness at the London High Court in the Nataraja case in the 1980s.

The court described as “an unequalled expert in Chola bronzes” by the court.

Nagaswamy, along with historian B.B Lal, was the first 'Guru' to be chosen under ICHR-Gurukul Fellowship introduced in 2016. Under the e ICHR Gurukul-Fellowship, a disciple will be allocated to a senior historian for the former to understand the “nuances of historical research”.

Nagaswamy also played an instrumental role in starting the annual Chidambaram Natyanjali festival. Since 1981, dancers from all over the world representing all classical forms like Bharatha Natyam, Kuchupudi, Mohini Attam, Kathak, Odissi, Gaudiya Nritya and Pung Cholam etc., congregate at the hallowed temple town of Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu and offer their dance recitals to Lord Nataraj. The festival was envisaged as a tribute to Ananda Tandava of Lord Nataraja depicts the five fold acts of God, creation, protection, transformation, containment (or) screening and grace

Nagaswamy has published several books including "Master pieces of South Indian Bronzes", "Siva Bhakti", Tantric Cult in Tamilnadu, "Uttaramerur" in French with Dr.Francoise Gros (1970) and "Facets of South Indian Art and Architecture". Nagaswamy’s articles have been translated into 23 languages and published in UNESCO’s journal.

Besides archaeologist and epigraphist, Nagaswamy contributed immensely to related fields like architecture, paleography, numismatics, temple rituals and philosophy, ancient law and society, music, dance and South Asian art.