| Date | By | Opinion |
|---|---|---|
| 07-Apr-2003 |
S.Mutthaiah Source: The Hindu
(News Paper)
|
The most recent lecture by Dr.R.Nagaswamy, arranged by the Tamilnadu State Department of Archaeology, at Madras, a fascinating narration of a court case in London, that led to the return of a bronze to Tamilnadu, was perhaps the Department's best Drirector in recnet times. The London Court had described Dr.R.Nagaswamy, as "an Unequelled Expert" in Chola Bronzes. This brief summary does no justice to Nagaswamy's gripping narration - accompanied by slides of some of the most beautiful Chola bronzes I have never seen.
|
| 2003 |
Dr.Pramod chandra , Professor of Indian Art, Harvard university, Harvard. Source: At the International Seminar on Interaction between Brahminical and buddhist Art, Varanasi
(Presidential Address)
|
Dr.Nagaswamy comes in the line of great scholars like C.Sivaramamurthi and is "virtually the Second Ananda Coomaraswamy"
|
| 2003 |
Dr.Pratapaditya Pal Source: "Asian Art at the Norton Simon Museum Vol.I, Art from the Indian Subcontinent".
(Book)
|
Discussions with Dr.Bhattacharya and Dr. R.Nagaswamy have considerably enhanced my own knowledge, especially of the arts of Pala and Chola pwriods, both of which are strongly represented in this catlogue.
|
| Nov-2002 |
Dr.Vidya Dehejia Source: "The Sensuous and the Sacred Chola Bronzes from South India" published by the American Federation of Arts in connection with an Exhibition organized at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC, USA.
(Book)
|
"Dr.R.Nagaswamy, who has done extensive contribution to this field (Chola Art), has produced many important exhibition catalogue, as well as a aseries of significan articles that has vastly enlarged our knowledge of the subject. Dr.Nagawamy has effortlessly explored Sanskrit Agamic texts well as Tamil Literature, to produce fresh insight in to sacred significance of the images."
|
| 2002 |
Dr.Peter Shalk , Professor of Religious studies, Uppsala University, Sweeden Source: "Buddhism among Tamils in Pre colonial Tamilakam and Ilam"
(Book)
|
Many years of colloaboration with Dr.Ramachandran Nagaswamy brought us together at Chennai and Uppsala. His generosity in sharing the results of his critical research was overwhelming.
|
| May-2001 |
Prof. Dr.Joachim Bautze, (SAI, Berlin, Germany) Dr.Nagaswamy's lecture on South Indian Bronzes at Heidelburg University, Germany Source: Personal letter
(Email)
|
Dear Shri Nagaswamy,
"Many thanks coming to Heidelburg, we all liked your lecture very much, especially the fact that you have so many feelings for the objects that you showed. When you said something "this piece is so beautiful" then it really was. I only know vary few people in our field, who are so devoted to their subject. You are an art historian, as an art historian should be. Most colleague's lectures are preseneted without any feeling for anything, and many people know very little on the subject they are persenting. In your case, however, I am sure that "you must be the greatest connoisseur in the field of early South Indian classical bronzes". Most of the pieces you had shown were absolute masterpieces, and mostly presented in good photographs."
|
| Mar-1998 |
Prof. Dr.Bettina Baumer Institute of Religious studies, University of Bern, Switzerland Source: Personal letter
(Letter)
|
I want to express our sincere thanks and appreciation on behalf of the Institute of Religious Studies of the University of Bern, for the wonderful tour you have organized and conducted for our students and staff. I have no words to praise the high quality of your teaching and guidance and the variety of experiences offered to our students. It was a unique opportunity to study the South Indian temples in all their aspects, focussed on Chidambaram, and its traditions, has given us an insight which no other single scholar could have provided in a such a condensed and yet elaborate way. Apart from the scholarly aspects we also admired your organizing capacities.
|
| Feb-1998 |
Stephen Inglis, Director General, Research, Canadian Museum of Civilization, Hull, Quebec. Source: Personal letter
(Letter)
|
Since returning to Canada I have had some time to reflect on our tour in Tamilnad and can only confirm that our visit with you to Kanchipuram and particularly to the Kailasnatha temple was the highlight. Thank you so much for your kindness. Dr.Thomson and Dr.Macdonald were very impressed.
|
| Oct-1997 |
Stephen Markel, Associate Curator and Departmental Head, South and South Asian art, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, California. Source: Personal letter
(Letter)
|
I would like to thank you personally for your Superb lecture to our southern Asia Art Council. Numerous people who attended have since told me how impressive it was and I couldn't agree more . It was well organized and presented and the images were breathtaking!
|
| Sep-1997 |
Dr.V.I.Subramaniam, Former Vice Chancellor, Tamil University, International School of Dravidiana linguistics. Source: Personal letter
(Letter)
|
I read through your Tamil Book, which has a fund of new information especially the Sanskrit periyapuranam. The Interpretation and omission you have pointed out are simulating.
|
| Jun-1997 |
Frank G Wisner, The Ambassador of the United States of America in India. New Delhi Source: Personal letter
(Letter)
|
It was extremely kind of you to have taken the time to explain to me the details of Brahadiswara temple (Tanjavur) a masterpiece of architectural beauty. My colleagues tell me that I was lucky to have you as my guide because of your espertise in SouthIndian Temple architecture. If I may say so, they vastly understated the case! It was a great pleasure for me to have had the opportunity of meeting you and my wife and I thank you for the time and energy spent on our behalf.
|
| Jun-1997 |
Shelly Feldman, Director, Cornell University, South Asia Programme, ITACHA, USA Source: Personal letter
(Letter)
|
I would like to personally thank you for your contribution to our weekly seminar series, topics in South Asia. As you know that your talk on South Indian bronzes contributed to making available an important body of research to our students. As the lively discussion which followed surely suggested, the student and faculty present, found the issues you raised interesting and pertinent to their own work and thinking about regional expertise. Your seminar and other opportunities that you offered students contribute to our goal of broadening common conceptions of South Asia to the campus community.
|
| May-1997 |
Dr.Michael Peter Cain, University of IOWA, USA May. Source: Personal Communication
(Email)
|
Do you know or known R.Nagaswamy, of Madras. I think he is the most brilliant and interesting person I met on my entire trip. World class archaeologist, art historian, numismatist etc probably the leading Indian Authority in the field of South Indian Bronze murties and an outspoken advocate of his views on Vedic tradition.
|
| Apr-1996 |
Karen Pechils Prentiss, Asst. Professor, Religious Study, Drew University, Madison, New Jersey. Source: Personal Communication
(Letter)
|
I so enjoyed our talk on Bhakti and Art. I was honoured to have met with some one whose work I so admire.
|
| 1996 |
Anne Marie Gaston, Charlton University, Ottawa, Canada. Source:
(Book)
|
Dr.Nagaswamy, former Head of the Archaeology Survey, Tamil nad, and a dance connosseur bases his views on the reading of the text. He had a personal bias towards introducing the dance into the Nataraja temple in Chidambaram to revive the temple as centre of art and culture. His remarks reinforce Balasaraswati's comment. Nagaswamy who founded the Chidambaram festival saw more meaning when the dance, which flowered in the context of temple rituals, was performed there.
|
| Apr-1995 |
T.S. Parthasarathy, Secretary, Music Academy, Madras Source: Indian Express
(News Paper)
|
Dr.Nagaswamy is a multi linguist, who has contributed immensely to the art of dance. A deeply learned scholar in Bharata Natya sastra, he has composed several dance dramas including the ones on Rajaraja, Saiva saints, and the twin epics Silappadhikaram and Manimekhalai. That he is presenting the dance dramas in so many fireign countries is a tribute to his love for this art.
|
| Feb-1995 |
Dr.Nandita Krishna, Director C.P.Ramaswamy Iyer Institute of Indological of Research, Madras Source: The Hindu
(News Paper)
|
Dr.Nagaswamy is one of the greatest scholars we have today. He is also a very good writer and speaker.
|
| Feb-1995 |
Dr.Padma Subramaniam, Director, Nrityodaya, Madras Source: The Hindu
(News Paper)
|
It is rare to find a person with such holistic knowledge in the field of Archaeology. Dr.Nagaswamy has great scholarship in various branches - Numismatics, Iconography, Sculpture, and Epigraphy, besides music and dance and poetry. His is not mere carbon text reading; Interpretation is his strong point.
|
| 1995 |
Pierre Pischard, French Architect, Director, Ecole Francise Extreme Orient, Paris, Archaeology wing, India and Souh East Asia, Pondicherry Source: Tanjore Architecture
(Book)
|
The first and now only monograph on Gangaikonda cholapuram did not appear until 1970 published by TN Department of Archaeology, The succint study by Dr.R.Nagaswamy is invaluable, dense, and well documented.
|
| Feb-1993 |
Huge K.Weihe, Artibus Asiae, The Museum of Reitberg, Zurich Source: Personal Letter
(Letter)
|
Dr Bolon of the Sackler Gallery has informed me that she was impressed by your review of her book on the Goddess Lajja Gauri. As we are planning to reestablish our book review section we would be very happy to publish it in Artibus Asiae. Should you agree to do so kindly forward it to us at your earliest convenience?
|
| Apr-1990 |
Juan Muguel De Mora,, National university of Mexico, Mexico.Vice president, International Association of Sanskrit Studies. Source: Personal Letter
(Letter)
|
It was a great pleasure for us to be able to meet you at your residence during our last trip to India. Our interchange of ideas with you was extremely useful and beneficial in view of our research in the area of science in Ancient India as you threw some light, which we sorely needed, on ancient architecture not only from an artistic point of view, but from a scientific and technological one as well. Your book on Master pieces of Early South Indian Bronzes of which you gave us a copy is not only beautiful to look at but also extremely interesting to read and is a definite contribution to our literary and to our knowledge of your unforgettable country.
|
| 1983 |
V.R.Krishna Iyer, Supreme court Judge India Source: Personal Letter
(Letter)
|
Dr.R.Nagaswamy's book "Studies in Ancient Tamil Law and Society" is, in some respects, inspriational at a time when Swadeshi in Law is out of vogue and national roots in jurisprudence, berated as dark, when superstitious medievalists mislead the country about its judicial past, we have to search for truth in stone and honesty in metal, not in man and his lips. So it is that the epigraphic abilities of Dr.R.Nagaswamy in unearthing the Law in practice has patriotic relevance.
I hastily browsed through his book on "Studies in Ancient Tamil Law and Society". To my remarkable surprise, I discovered that a thousand years ago we had a refreshingly modern system, without its sophisticated vices, where law reigned, high people participated in justice and King and community respected the verdicts and jurisprudence or dharma-shastra had dynamic morality and normative popularity. Today, despite political claptraps and electioneering catch words, the rural people are not trusted by the political, judicial and bureaucratic elite with the basic ability to administer village justice. The suspect see others in their own image. Dr.R.N's discovery of Law-in-action in ancient Tamil Society tersely summed up by Dr.Derret in his forward challenges the assumptions against Panchayat justice and reliance on our juristic root for developing a truly national jurisprudence. The book to my mind is summons to make India Indian. I congratulate Dr.R.Nagaswamy on his work which mark, the beginning. To begin is a big thing. |
| 1983 |
Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan, Jt. Secretary, Department of Culture, Government of India, Source: Preface - Master Pieces of South Indian Bronzes
(Book)
|
The Religious Endowment Department and Dr.R.nagaswamy have made valuble accession lists and inventories for Tamilnadu. Dr.R.Nagaswamy also brought to light valuble evidence through the inscribed images which could now enable scholars to date firmly Pallava bronzes and established chronology. We are beholden to Dr.R.Nagaswamy whose tireless efforts in the field and sound scholarship are well known.
|
| 1983 |
Dr.Thomas Maxwell Source: Saras Bulletin No.3 England, Reviewing the Book "Tantric Cult of South India"
(Bulletin)
|
"This is an excellent presentation of the subject " Sakta Cult in Tamilnadu" economically written, with the erudition and objectivity typical of this respected scholar whose own respect for this material is a hall mark of his work. As a learned presentation and as a display of scholarship it is unrivalled and will emain a Central work in future researches into the many ramification of the subject"
|
| 1983 |
Dr.Vidya Dehejia. Professor, Department of Art History Columbia University. Source: Personal letter
(Letter)
|
Personal letter: Let me extend my heartfelt congratulations on the truly magnificient South Indian Bronze show and catalogue that you put together. It is only your high standing and Your reputation with the Religious Endowments Board that could have persuaded them to urge the temple authorities to let some of these "National Treasures" travel to Delhi. The particular pieces that you specially collecdted, and the detailed information that you have put together so clearly make the catalogue into a major reference work, a pleasure to see so many close ups and details of the Vadakkalattur group, the Nallur Parvati and the Karaviram inscribed Uma. But how I wish I could have been there personally to see this tremendous collection. There is no substitute for personal contact with the pieces.
|
| 1983 |
Dr.Promod Chandra - Professor, Harvard University, Massachusetts. U.S.A. Source: In Darsana U.S.A.
(Magazine)
|
The Extraordinary exhibition of South Indian Bronze Sculpture held at the National Museum, New Delhi, in March and April this year was surely one of the great events of the recent times for all interested in Indian art. Here were brought together works of the greatest beauty and interest, works that will vitally affect not only our understanding of the History of South Indian Style but also our estimation of its extraordinary aesthetic achievements. The study of mediaeval Indian sculpture will never again be the same to those who had the previlage of seeing this exhibition, for a large majority of its contents were all but unknown, being stored in the temples where they once were worshipped, notably those at Vadakkalattur, and Sikkal. For this achievement, we are in the deepest debt of Dr.Kapila Vatsyayan and Dr.R.Nagaswamy whose selfless enthusiasm and indefatigable efforts made this feast afor the mind and the eye possible.
To Dr.R.Nagaswamy we are further beholden for a fine catalogue producted in a matter of weeks that will be a lasting recod for those who were unable to see the exhibition. The writing is sensitive and backed by deep scholarship. Much new information, epigraphical and iconographical, has been quietly introduced, and our understanding of the evolution of the style, particularly in the Pallava period, greatly enhanced Dr.R.Nagaswamy also presents us with fresh ideas on the centres of artistic production and the development of local schools and idioms. The short notes that places the bronze images in the context of festival and ritual are particularly sensitive, successfully evoking the cdontext of religious life of which they are inseparable part. |
| 1983 |
Dr.D.C.Sircar, Formerly Carmichael, Professor of Anciant Indian History and Culture Calcutta University. Source: Ancient Tamil Law and Society
(Book)
|
When Dr.R.Nagaswamy requested me to write a foreword to his Studies Ancient Tamil Law and Society, I was attracted by the title of the work especially because its preface emphasizes the importance of Epigraphy I hope that such of his studies as "Justice in the Pandya period", "Constitution of Judiciary", "Pay structure under Rajaraja I", "A Judgement of the Chloa period" and "A 13th Century sale deed", will be useful to the students of the Dharma-sastra and allied topics.
|
| 1981 |
H.Sarkar. Director, Archaeological survey of India, New Delhi. Source: Tamil Coins, a study
(Book)
|
Dr.R.Nagaswamy in his book "Tamil Coins" has brought out his expertise in Tamil epigraphy and an impressive range of archaeological material to bear upon the study of various series of South Indian Coins. He has thus been able to correct quite number of errors and suggest more appropriate attributions and chronology. A useful feature of the study is his compilation of the epigraphical references to show the use of coinage in economy. Equally impressive are the appendices, particularly those dealing with foreign coinage in India.
|
| 1981 |
R.Tirumalai, I.A.S., Govt.of India, New Delhi. Source: Tamil Coins, a study
(Book)
|
Dr.R.Nagaswamy's work is perhaps, the first compendium of data on coins in the Tamil country. He has sketched the history of the Tamil Kingdoms and has placed the coins in their appropriate setting and age. He has drawn freely from all available sources and has subjected the data to re-evaluation and critical appraisal. The book is thus a valuble contribution updating the knowledge on the subject and incorporating the results of the author's original research. It bears the imprint of the erudition and painstakingly intensive work of Dr.Nagaswamy and should prove to be a handy volume for students and scholars interested in the subject. I have great pleasure in paying personal tribute to Dr.Nagaswamy on this valuable and thought provoking presentation.
|
| 1979 |
S.R.Balasubramanian Source: Later Chloa Temples
(Book)
|
"Recently some healthy development have taken place in Tamilnadu thanks to the activities of the State Department of Archaeology under its dynamic Director Dr.R.Nagaswamy. A drive is on to keep the temples clean and to preserve inscriptions, sculptures and paintings. Some valuable bronzes have been recently discovered and preserved. A new age has dawned on South Indian Archaeology.
|
| 1978 |
Duncan M. Derrett D.C.L (OXON) L.L.D. Professor of Oriental Laws, University of London Source: Studies in Ancient Tamil Law and Society
(Book)
|
"Dr.R.Nagaswamy has done a signal service by publishing information about inscription and palm-leaf records which was either not available before or was available in a less satisfactory or obscure form. The author enables us to see that not only Sanskritic forms, and the Sanskrit language at times, but even the out look and methods of judicial procedure reflected in the dharmasastra sources were alive and functioning in an important area of India. It is an immense help to see what really used to be done by the not so remote ancestors of the present long suffering public, and this book, profiting from the linguistic, historical and epigraphical skill of its author, broadens our horizon, confirms much that we were already inclined to believe, and adds to that much food for reflection.
|
| 1978 |
Mulk Raj Anand Source: VIP Visitor's Book, Department of Archaeology, Tamil Nadu
(Vistor's Book)
|
Marg has looked to Tamilnadu for enlightenment about the splendours and beauties of its monuments, its sculptures, paintings, and bronzes. We are previleged to meet Dr.Nagaswamy and his colleagues, who seem to be alive to the heritage. The personal interest of the Director in the creative art, ensures much new light on the background.Marg will devote quite a few future invitees to the Tamilnadu heritage and in this we are encouraged by offer of generous co-operation here.
|
| 1977 |
C.Sivaramamurthi Source: VIP Visitor's Book, Department of Archaeology, Tamil Nadu
(Vistor's Book)
|
Dr. R.Nagaswamy, has been dynamic in his archaeological activity and his department has been working wonders, with his discovery of rare material in close succession every year, exposition through valuable books published and achievement far exceeding available resources. May God bless this excellent work.
|
|
P.K.Saraswati Source: VIP Visitor,s Book Department of Archaeology Tamil Nadu
(Vistor's Book)
|
I would consider the Directorate of Archaeology of the Government of Tamilnadu to be the most active and useful Dept. of Archaeology in India.
|
|
| 1977 |
Karl Khandalawala Source: VIP Visitor's Book, Department of Archaeology, Tamil Nadu
(Vistor's Book)
|
Excellent work being done by Dr.Nagaswamy and his Department. |
| 1965 |
Douglas Barrett, the Bristish Museum, London Source: Early Cola bronzes (book)
(Book)
|
The style of the Middle Cola bronzes has at last been given a basis by the recent work of T.N.Ramachandran and R.Nagaswamy. 1965
|
| 1962 |
William Willets Source: Oriental Art, London
(Journal)
|
In the last 12 months the energetic Secretary of the Archaeological Society of South India who is also the Curator for Art and Archeology in the museum was able to recruit Dr.Grace morley, prof. Zeuner, prof.Ghebard, prof. Higuchi, and msle. Auboyer. Among the many outstanding events of last year (1962) I will mention two.
The silver Jubilee volume of the society's transactions contains a paper by Nagaswamy entitled 'New light on Mamallapuram'. It is a bold claim. Nagaswamy proposes to answer the question who built Mahabalipuram.I wil not add my personal comment on Nagaswamy's theory. In his paper he answers a number of possible objections which I have not raised here except to say that it will not be easily pulled down. The second event of the year was the installing in the museum of Two bronzes on Thiruvenkadu. R.Nagaswamy has dated these bronze images with the help of inscriptions on the temple in volume five of the Transactions of the Society in 1959-60. |
| 1961 |
Editor, Lalitkala Source: Lalitkala. vol 9
(Journal)
|
Amongst these unique images brought to light by Sri. Nagaswamy and published for the first time the Tripurantaka image wil come as a revelation to students of the chronology of South indian bronzes.
|
|
A.L.Bhasham, Professor of Asian Civilizations, National University, Canberra, Australia Source: VIP Visitor's Book, Department of Archaeology, Tamil Nadu
(Vistor's Book)
|
The progress of the State Department of Archaeology under the Direction of Dr.Nagaswamy with the aid of his able assistants is more impressive and I am particularly impressed by the way Departement is enlisting the aid of students and other members of the public in the conservation of ancient remains. His is evidently not only conserving and recording ancient monuments but also working hard to instil in the general public a sense pride and joy in the richness of their heritage. I feel the department might serve as a model to other States of India.
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