Noted archaeologist R. Nagaswamy on Tuesday made a fervent plea for launching a movement to preserve sculptures and historical monuments without making alterations.
Addressing a function organised to confer lifetime achievement award of the Rotary Club of Madras South, Dr. Nagaswamy pointed out that in the last 50 years the country had lost quite a large number of ancient records, scriptures and monuments in the name of preservation.
“We need to preserve them in original form, resisting the temptation to alter,” he said, adding that the upsurge in religious devotion had not shown any respect for the cultural aspect of the temples.
“Unequalled sculptures have been destroyed in the name of heartless modification. They have applied cement even in dry-joints without knowing that they are not authorised by the vaastu shastras and agamas,” Dr. Nagaswamy said.
He also made a presentation providing a glimpse into the great temple architecture of the county.
Mukund Vedapudi, president of the club, Jawaharlal Nichani, secretary, and Ramkrishna Raja, past president, were among those who spoke.
