Bangalore :

Scientist Sharada Srinivasan , who won the Dr Kalpana Chawla  Award for Young Scientists recently, has explored linkages between art, metals and materials, heritage, archaeology, aesthetics, science and technology and the performing arts. Apart from being a professor of heritage at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore and collaborating research with people all over the world, she’s also an adept Bharatanatyam dancer. She speaks about her life and work:

Tell us about your work…

A major aspect of my work includes archaeo-metallurgical characterization and technical fingerprinting of South Indian bronzes of the Vijaynagar and Chola periods, uncovering of evidence for the smelting of copper, lid and tin bronzes of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. I’ve also worked on preservation of ancient mirror-making in Aranmula (Kerala). Certain parts of north Karnataka also produced high carbon steel during 700 BC, which I’m looking into as well as gold mining heritage sites in North Karnataka. We found evidence of bronze melting from a very long time ago around Hassan.

What are the major challenges?

Metallurgical items are often not taken very seriously by many at archeological sites though they give many insights about the era in which they were crafted. Modern mining also destroys much of our old heritage mining sites. Also, we need more support and grants for our work.

What do you think of heritage in Bangalore?

I’m concerned about the heritage culture of Bangalore. We need to build a museum culture.Youngsters spend a lot of time at multiplexes and malls which they could well spend at museums and heritage sites learning about culture and history. Museums here are disconnected when it comes to providing information to youngsters. The central government needs to inspire museum employees to do better as most artifacts on display have only brief descriptions. There needs to be creativity in this and apt explanations which youngsters can relate to.

What’s the solution?

Academic courses need more of practicals in subjects like history, and students need to learn from craftsmen  and artisans. Also, the scientific community needs to come up with relevant services that help the community.

What do you think about cannons found near the City Market?

They look like cannons from the 18th century but more scientific testing needs to be done to prove they belonged to Tipu Sultan

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Bangalore / by Rhik Kunda, TNN / January 26th, 2013