The government should encourage the study of archaeology and the publication of books on archaeology to enable students to know the heritage and history of their country, said R. Margabandhu, former MP.
The 16th Archaeological Seminar was organised jointly by the Tamil Nadu Archaeological Research Centre, Chennai and the Pallavan College of Education, Vellore at the college campus here on Saturday.
Inauguration
Inaugurating the seminar Mr. Margabandhu said that an individual’s history becomes the country’s history. Man’s contribution to development of science, arts and other fields is reflected in archaeological finds, while the books on archaeology bring out the facts through research.
“These books are the bridge between tradition and modernity. The government should encourage the study and publications on archaeology so that the views of historians and archaeologists reach the people. Heritage is the foundation for the development science. Even people from ordinary families in villages should learn ancient history so that they can derive inspiration from the books and make history”, he said.
Creating awareness
Nadana Kasinathan, former Director of Archaeology of the Tamil Nadu Government and founder of the Tamil Nadu Archaeological Research Centre said that the objective of the seminar was to create awareness among the college and school students about their heritage. Every year, the research centre conducts a seminar.
The event will focus on archaeological importance of a particular district. The students and teachers should first understand the importance of archaeological artefacts unearthed from their district, and then spread the message to others.
Krishnagiri district
Mr. Kasinathan said that this seminar was organised to highlight the archaeological importance of Krishnagiri district which bears antiquities from the palaeolithic period, i.e. 16 lakh years-old. The University of Madras first discovered a rock painting in this district with the efforts of K.V. Raman. These paintings belong to the Neolithic period, i.e., 3000 years-old.
After this, several rock paintings were discovered in Tiruvannamalai, Dindigul and Coimbatore districts. These paintings were similar to the paintings discovered at Bimbedka in Madhya Pradesh, he said.
Title conferred
`Thamira Pattayam’ and the title, `Tholliyal Selvar’ were conferred on K. Venkatachalam, Editor, `Nannan Naadu’ and M. Chandramoorthy, advisor, Tamil Nadu Archaeological Research Centre. Mr. Margabandhu and V. Peruvazhuthi, Head of the Department of English, Thiruvalluvar University released Tamil books titled, ‘Kancheepuram Kizhakku Mavatta Thadayam’ and ‘Mannum Mandharum’.
K. Pichaipillai, vice-president of the Archaeological Research Centre presided. M. Kalaimani, former Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations and S. Soundararajan, Assistant Professor, Madras University spoke.
M. Gandhi, secretary, Tamil Nadu Archaeological Research Centre compered the proceedings.
Kasinathan said the seminar was organised to highlight the archaeological importance of Krishnagiri district which bears antiquities from the palaeolithic period
