R. Nagaswamy

( Aug 10 1930 - Jan 23 2022 )

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Achievements

Ramachandran Nagaswamy (10 August 1930 – 23 January 2022) was an Indian historian, archaeologist and epigraphist who was known for his work on temple inscriptions and art history of Tamil Nadu. He was an authority on Chola bronzes. Nagaswamy became the inaugural director of the Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department in 1966, serving in that capacity till 1988. He also founded the annual Chidambaram Natyanjali festival in 1980. In 2018, he was awarded India's third-highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan. Nagaswamy was born on 10 August 1930, the son of Sanskrit pandit Ramachandran Sastrigal. He graduated in Sanskrit from the University of Madras and pursued a master's degree in Sanskrit. Nagaswamy obtained his PhD in arts and archaeology from the University of Poona. Nagaswamy underwent archaeological training under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and in 1959, joined the Government Museum, Chennai as curator for art and archaeology. Nagaswamy served as curator for art and archaeology in the Government Museum in Chennai from 1959 to 1963. In 1963, he was appointed assistant special officer for archaeology for Tamil Nadu state and from 1966 to 1988, he headed the newly formed Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department as its first director, serving until his retirement. Nagaswamy was married to Parvathi with whom he had two sons and two daughters. He died at his home in Besant Nagar, Chennai, on 23 January 2022, at the age of 91.

Profession

Indian historian, archaeologist and epigraphist

Address

Madras, India