R Nagaswamy Biography: Prominent archaeologist and Padma Award winner R Nagaswamy Bhushan took his last breath on January 23, 2022 at the age of 91 due to age-related complications. He was survived by two sons and two daughters while his wife died before him.
As the world mourns his death, let’s take a look at his life.
Nagaswamy’s biography
Birth | August 10, 1930 |
full name | Ramachandran Nagaswamy |
Omar | 91 years |
death | Jan 23 2022 |
education |
BA and MA in Sanskrit Language from University of Madras PhD in Indian Arts from Pune University |
Profession | Archaeologist (Director of Tamil Nadu Archeology Department 1966-1988) |
Awards |
Padma Bhushan Kalamani Award |
books | 1- Tamil Nadu art and culture 2- Aspects of Art and Architecture in South India 3- The art and religion of lakes 4- Mega Heritage Series: Mahabalipuram 5- Thirukkural An Abjent of Sastras 6- We will slander him, we will not regret it |
children | Four (two boys and two girls) |
R Nagaswamy: Birth, Age, Education
R Nagaswamy was born on 10 August 1930 at Kodumudi in Erode District to Ramachandran Sastrigal who was a Sanskrit Pundit. The 91-year-old was a graduate student in Sanskrit from the University of Madras and had a Ph.D. in Indian arts from Pune University.
R Nagaswamy’s job
Nagaswamy was trained under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and began his career as Curator of Art and Antiquities at the Government Museum in 1959. He served in various positions in the Department of Archeology in Tamil Nadu before being appointed its first director in 1966, a position he held Until his retirement in 1988.
He was instrumental in protecting several historical monuments, including the Chera Inscriptions at Bogalore, the Danish port at Tranquebar, and the famous 17th century Thirumalai Nayak Palace in Madurai along with excavations at the site of the Virapandya Kattabomman Palace in Panchalankurichi. He was also the first to conduct an undersea archaeological survey in Tamil Nadu off the Bombohar coast in Mayiladuthurai.
Nagaswamy appeared as an expert witness in a London court in the famous Batur Nataraja case and played a crucial role in returning the Chola era bronze Nataraja to Tamil Nadu. He also played an important role in initiating the annual Chidambaram Natyanjali Festival in 1980.
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R Nagaswamy death
Nagaswamy died at his residence in Chennai on January 23, 2022. He was 91 years old and had two daughters and two sons. his wife before him.
R Nagaswamy Awards
The Government of India awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian award, to R Nagawamy in 2018 for his outstanding contribution to archaeology.
He has also been honored with the Kalaimamani Award, the highest civilian award in Tamil Nadu, by the Government of Tamil Nadu for his novel work on Sekelar’s Periyapuranam.
R Nagaswamy Books
Nagaswamy has authored more than 100 books. Some of them are mentioned below.
1- Tamil Nadu art and culture
2- Aspects of Art and Architecture in South India
3- The art and religion of lakes
4- Mega Heritage Series: Mahabalipuram
5- Thirukkural An Abjent of Sastras
6- We will slander him, we will not regret it
7- Sensual and Sacred: Chola Bronzes of South India (co-author)
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