Sharada Srinivasan
Professor
Programme:
School:
Room No:
Room No.: S 15
Phone:
Tel: 080-22185125 Fax: 080-2218 5028
Email:
PhD (University College, London). Joined NIAS on 10th June 2001. Most significant research contribution: Explored the inter-relationships between art, metals and materials heritage, archaeology, aesthetics, science and technology, and performing arts.
She is an acclaimed Bharata Natyam dancer. She has a PhD in archaeometallurgy from University College, London; MA from SOAS, London and BTech in engineering physics from IIT, Mumbai. She is an Associate Fellow of the World Academy of Arts and Science and a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society. Her awards include the Indian Institute of Metals Certificate of Excellence (2007), Materials Research Society of India Medal (2006), Malti Nagar Ethnoarchaeology Award (2005), Materials Research Society Graduate Student Award, USA, (1997), the Flinders Petrie Prize and Medal, London University (1989) and also the Homi Bhabha Fellowship (1996-8) and the Forbes Smithsonian Research Associateship (1999).
Research Interest:
Prof Sharada Srinivasan has research interests ranging from archaeological science, metallurgy and materials characterisations of ancient artifacts and the implications for history of arts and crafts to performing arts.
Awards and Recognitions:
Editorial Board Member, Advances in Archaeomaterials, University of Science and Technology, Beijing
Backgrounders
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Srinivasan, Sharada , and S Ranganathan. 2013. “Minerals and metals heritage of India”. No. B8-2013. http://eprints.nias.res.in/374/.
Book Chapters
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Chaudhury, Santanu , Anupama Mallik, Vijay Chandru, and Sharada Srinivasan. 2017. “Introduction”. In Digital Hampi: Preserving Indian Cultural Heritage, Digital Hampi: Preserving Indian Cultural Heritage, Singapore: Springer, 3-10. https://www.springer.com/in/book/9789811057373.
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Mallik, Anupama , Santanu Chaudhury, Vijay Chandru, and Sharada Srinivasan. 2017. “Indian Digital Heritage: The Next Steps”. In Digital Hampi: Preserving Indian Cultural Heritage, Digital Hampi: Preserving Indian Cultural Heritage, Singapore: Springer, 393-403. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-981-10-5738-0?page=2#toc.
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Srinivasan, Sharada , Rajarshi Sengupta, Padhmapriya S, Praveen Johnson, Uma Kritika, Srinivasa Ranganathan, and Pallavi Thakur. 2017. “Vijayanagara Era Narasimha Bronzes and Sculpture: Digital Iconometry”. In Digital Hampi: Preserving Indian Cultural Heritage, Digital Hampi: Preserving Indian Cultural Heritage, Singapore: Springer. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-981-10-5738-0.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2016. “Nataraja, Natesa and Orion: Archaeometallurgical and Archaeoastronomical insights into Dancing Siva Images”. In Iconography of the Hindus, Buddhists and Jains: Proceedings of the National Conference, Iconography of the Hindus, Buddhists and Jains: Proceedings of the National Conference, Chennai: C P R Publications, 265-285.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2015. “From Temple to Mantelpiece: Changing Paradigms in the Art and Craft of South Indian Metal Icons”. In Traditional Arts of South Asia: Continuity in Contemporary Practice and Patronage. , Traditional Arts of South Asia: Continuity in Contemporary Practice and Patronage. , London, UK: Saffron Books,, 124-148. http://eprints.nias.res.in/1184/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2014. “Aesthetics and the foundations of science: Insights from Indian metallurgical traditions”. In Foundations of Scinces, Foundations of Scinces, BV Sreekantan. Delhi: Pearson, 209–254. http://eprints.nias.res.in/601/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2013. “Techno-cultural perspectives on medieval Southeast Asia and Southern India: Pallava bronzes and beyond”. In Materializing Southeast Asia's Past: Selected Papers from the 12th International Conference of the European Association of Southeast Asian Archaeologists, Materializing Southeast Asia's Past: Selected Papers from the 12th International Conference of the European Association of Southeast Asian Archaeologists, Marijke J Klokke and Degroot, Veronique . Singapore: NUS Press, 167–178. http://eprints.nias.res.in/357/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2013. “Indian iron and steel, with special reference to southern India”. In The World of Iron, The World of Iron, Jane Humphris and Rehren, Thilo . London: Archetype Publications, 83–90. http://eprints.nias.res.in/606/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2012. “Minerals and metals heritiage of India”. In XXVI International Mineral Processing Congress IMPC 2012 Souvenir, XXVI International Mineral Processing Congress IMPC 2012 Souvenir, New Delhi: IMPC, 41–51. http://eprints.nias.res.in/358/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2012. “Harappan continuity of high tin copper in South Asia”. In Science and metal technology of Harappans, Science and metal technology of Harappans, Deo Prakash Sharma. New Delhi: Kaveri Books, 179–193. http://eprints.nias.res.in/603/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2012. “Carving a global icon: The Nataraja bronze and Commaraswamy's legacy”. In Asian art and culture: A research volume in honour of Ananda Coomaraswamy, Asian art and culture: A research volume in honour of Ananda Coomaraswamy, Anura Manatunga, Amunugama, Sarath , and Abarathna, AHMH . Colombo: Department of Information, Government of Sri Lanka, 245–256. http://eprints.nias.res.in/354/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2011. “Nataraja and cosmic space: Nature and culture intertwinings in the early Tamil tradition”. In Nature and Culture, Nature and Culture, Roddam Narasimha and Menon, Sangeetha . New Delhi: PHISPC and CSC, 271–288. http://eprints.nias.res.in/259/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2010. “Megalithic high-tin bronzes and India's living prehistory”. In 50 years of Southeast Asian Archaeology: Essays in honour of Ian Glover, 50 years of Southeast Asian Archaeology: Essays in honour of Ian Glover, B Bellina, Pryce, O , Bacus, E , and J Christie, Wisseman . Bangkok: River Books, 239–271. http://eprints.nias.res.in/282/.
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Ranganathan, S , Sharada Srinivasan, and Ian Glover. 2010. “Indian high-tin bronzes: A continuing tradition from ancient to modern times”. In Asian high-tin bronzes: Production technology and regional characteristics, Asian high-tin bronzes: Production technology and regional characteristics, Tokyo: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, 201–210. http://eprints.nias.res.in/275/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada , Carla M Sinopoli, Kathleen D Morrison, Rangaiah Gopal, and Srinivasa Ranganathan. 2009. “South Indian Iron Age iron and high carbon steel: with reference to Kadebakele and comparative insights from Mel-siruvalur”. In Metallurgy and Civilisation: Eurasia and Beyond, Metallurgy and Civilisation: Eurasia and Beyond, J Mei and Rehren, T . London: Archetype Books, 116–122. http://eprints.nias.res.in/326/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2009. “Social History of Indian metalcrafts: Some archaeometallurgical and ethnoarchaeological insights”. In A Social History of Early India, A Social History of Early India, B D Chattopadhyay. New Delhi: Pearson and Longman, 251–268. http://eprints.nias.res.in/330/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2008. “Mirrors: Metal mirrors from India”. In Encyclopedia of the History of Science, Technology and Medicine in Non-Western Cultures, 2nd ed., Encyclopedia of the History of Science, Technology and Medicine in Non-Western Cultures, 2nd ed., Helaine Selin. New York: Springer Verlag, 1699 –1704. http://eprints.nias.res.in/327/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 1999. “Preliminary insights into the provenance of South Indian copper alloys and images using a holistic approach of comparisons of their lead isotopes and chemical composition with slags and ores”. In Metals in antiquity, Metals in antiquity, Suzanne MM Young, A Pollard, Mark , Budd, Paul , and Ixer, Robert A. Oxford: Archaeopress, 200–210. http://eprints.nias.res.in/605/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 1994. “High-tin bronze bowl making in Kerala, South India, and its archaeological implications”. In South Asian Archaeology 1993: Proceedings of the Twelfth International Conference of the European Association of South Asian Archaeologists held in Helsinki University 5-9 July 1993, South Asian Archaeology 1993: Proceedings of the Twelfth International Conference of the European Association of South Asian Archaeologists held in Helsinki University 5-9 July 1993, Asko Parpola and Koskikallio, Petteri . Helsinki: SuomalainenTiedeakatemia, 675–705. http://eprints.nias.res.in/607/.
Book Reviews
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2019. “Book Review of "Early Indian Metallurgy: The Production of Lead, Silver and Zinc through Three Millennia in North West India" by P T Craddock, K T M Hegde, L K Gurjar and L Willies. London: Archetype Publications Ltd, 2017”. 54(3): 376-378. https://insa.nic.in/writereaddata/UpLoadedFiles/IJHS/Vol54_3_2019__Art12.pdf.
Books
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Mallik, Anupama , Santanu Chaudhury, Vijay Chandru, and Sharada Srinivasan. 2017. Digital Hampi: Preserving Indian Cultural Heritage. Springer. https://www.springer.com/in/book/9789811057373.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2017. 2nd Dr. Frank E. Chookolingo and Evamaria E. Chookolingo Memorial Lecture Chola and Vijayangara Bronzes: Archaeometallurgical mapping of shifting iconographies. Banaras: Banaras Hindu University.
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Singh, Tejpal , Sanjib Kumar Singh, and Sharada Srinivasan. 2016. Indian Bronze: Ecstasy of Classical Art. New Delhi: National Museum.
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Srinivasan, Sharada , Srinivasa Ranganathan, and Alessandra Guimlia-Mair. 2015. SP7-2015 BUMA Metals and Civilizations. http://eprints.nias.res.in/756/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada , and Srinivas Ranganathan. 2014. India's legendary wootz steel: An advanced material of the ancient world. Hyderabad: University Press. http://eprints.nias.res.in/651/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada , and S Ranganathan. 2004. India's legendary wootz steel: an advanced material of the ancient world. Bangalore: NIAS and IISc. http://eprints.nias.res.in/46/.
Conference Papers
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2015. “Of faces and phases: High-tin bronze metallurgy and South India and Tamil innovations”. In The IIM NMD ATM 2015 - International Symposium on "Vision 2025 - Global Challenges and Opportunities in Steel Industry" and 69th Annual Technical Meeting of the Indian Institute of Metals, New Horizons in Materials processing and applications, The IIM NMD ATM 2015 - International Symposium on "Vision 2025 - Global Challenges and Opportunities in Steel Industry" and 69th Annual Technical Meeting of the Indian Institute of Metals, New Horizons in Materials processing and applications, Coimbatore, India. http://eprints.nias.res.in/1083/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2015. “Metallurgy and mankind in Southeast Asia's past ”. In 15th International Conference of the European Association of Southeast Asian Archaeologists, 15th International Conference of the European Association of Southeast Asian Archaeologists, Université Paris Ouest Nanterre la Défense. http://eprints.nias.res.in/1052/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2012. “The Nataraja bronze: Insights on art, technology and philosophy”. In Indian Art and Religion: An Interactive Approach, 21st Session of Indian Art History Congress, Indian Art and Religion: An Interactive Approach, 21st Session of Indian Art History Congress, , 113. http://eprints.nias.res.in/551/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada , and S Ranganathan. 2012. “Telangana archaeomaterials: analytical perspectives”. In Royal Society and DST India-UK Scientific Seminar on 'Indian iron and steel - developing interdisciplinary applications in archaeometallurgy and geospatial archaeology', Royal Society and DST India-UK Scientific Seminar on 'Indian iron and steel - developing interdisciplinary applications in archaeometallurgy and geospatial archaeology', http://eprints.nias.res.in/552/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada , and S Ranganathan. 2012. “Ultra-high carbon steels and high-tin bronzes: Insights into mechanical properties and processing from Indian traditional knowledge”. In ICSMA-16, 16th International Conference on Strength of Materials, ICSMA-16, 16th International Conference on Strength of Materials, , 57. http://eprints.nias.res.in/550/.
Journal Articles
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S, Udayakumar , and Sharada Srinivasan. 2018. “Traditional Techniques of Gold Jewellery: A Case Study of Devakottai,Tamil Nadu”. Journal of the Centre for Heritage Studies 1.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2017. “Ultrahigh-carbon "wootz' from Crucible Carburization of Molten Iron: Hypereutectoid Steel from "Tamil Nadu Process" at Mel-siruvalur”. Materials and Manufacturing Processes.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2017. “Copper Smelting Slags at Ingaldhal Mines, Karnataka: Early Historic Satavahana Links”. Transactions of the Indian Institute of Metals 70(2): 541-546. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12666-016-1013-6.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2017. “Iron Age Beta (23% tin) Bronze: Peninsular Indian Bowls of Adichanallur, Nilgiris and Boregaon”. Materials and Manufacturing Processes.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2016. “Metallurgy of zine, high-tin bronze and gold in Indian antiquity: Methodological aspects”. Indian Journal of History of Science 51(1): 22-32. http://eprints.nias.res.in/1082/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2016. “Indian High-Tin Bronzes and the Grecian and Persian World”. Indian Journal of History of Science 51(4): 601-612. http://insa.nic.in/writereaddata/UpLoadedFiles/IJHS/Vol51_4_2016_Art07.pdf.
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Haricharan, Smriti , Nagabhushana, Sharada Srinivasan, Mandyam B Rajani, and S Ranganathan. 2016. “Locating iron production sites in Telangana, India using satellite imagery”. Current Science 111(9): 1536-1543. http://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/111/09/1536.pdf.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2016. “Tamil Chola Bronzes and Swamimalai Legacy: Metal Sources and Archaeotechnology”. The Journal of The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS) 68: 1-15. http://eprints.nias.res.in/1084/.
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Nagae, Takekazu , Sharada Srinivasan, Srinivasa Ranganathan, RM Pillai, Yasuji Shimizu, and Haruhisa Mifune. 2014. “Thermographical Analysis of Continuing Tradition of Mirror Casting in Kerala”. ISIJ International 54: 1172–1176. http://eprints.nias.res.in/628/.
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Juleff, Gillian , Sriperumbudur Jaikishan, Sharada Srinivasan, Srinivas Ranganathan, and Brian Gilmour. 2014. “Northern Telangana, an Iron and Crucible Steel Production Landscape in India”. ISIJ International 54: 1030–1037. http://eprints.nias.res.in/638/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2013. “Megalithic and continuing peninsular high-tin binary bronzes: Possible roots in Harappan binary bronze usage?”. Transactions of the Indian Institute of Metals 66: 731–737. http://eprints.nias.res.in/604/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2012. “Swamimalai bronze casting: Chola traditions and changing parameters”. Camp - ISIJ 25: 816–820. http://eprints.nias.res.in/591/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2011. “Jain bronzes in Karnataka: some art historical and technical aspects”. IUP Journal of History and Culture 5: 2–9. http://eprints.nias.res.in/244/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2007. “Cosmic dance”. India International Centre Quarterly 34: 126–137. http://eprints.nias.res.in/600/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada , and Ian Glover. 2007. “Skilled mirror craft of intermetallic delta high-tin bronze (Cu31Sn8, 32.6% tin) from Aranmula, Kerala”. Current Science 93: 35–40. http://eprints.nias.res.in/236/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2007. “On Higher Carbon and Crucible Steels in Southern India: Further Insights from Mel-siruvalur, Kodumanal and Pattinam”. Indian Journal of History of Science 42: 673–695. http://eprints.nias.res.in/328/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2006. “Megalithic high-tin bronzes: Ethnoarchaeological and archaeometallurgical insights on manufacture and possible artistic and musical significance”. Man and Environment XXXI: 1–8. http://eprints.nias.res.in/602/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2004. “Shiva as 'cosmic dancer':on Pallava origins of the Nataraja bronze.”. World Archaeology 36: 432–450. http://eprints.nias.res.in/238/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 2001. “Dating the Nataraja dance icon: Technical insights”. Marg-A Magazine of the Arts 52: 54–69. http://eprints.nias.res.in/331/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 1999. “Lead isotope and trace element analysis in the study of over a hundred South Indian metal icons”. Archaeometry 41: 91–116. http://eprints.nias.res.in/325/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 1998. “The use of tin and bronze in prehistoric South Indian metallurgy”. JOM: The Journal of Minerals, Metals 50: 44–49. http://eprints.nias.res.in/332/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada . 1997. “Present and past of southern Indian crafts for making mirrors, lamps, bells, vessels, cymbals and gongs: links with prehistoric high tin bronzes from Mohenjodaro, Taxila, South Indian megaliths and later finds”. Journal of the Society for South Asian Studies 13: 209–225. http://eprints.nias.res.in/329/.
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Srinivasan, Sharada , and Ian Glover. 1995. “Wrought and quenched, and cast high-tin bronzes to Kerala State, India”. The Journal of the Historical Metallurgy Society 29: 69–87. http://eprints.nias.res.in/608/.
Forthcoming:
Conference at SOAS, London: THE PAST BEFORE US: HERITAGE AND HISTORY IN SOUTH ASIA SOAS University of London, 5-6 September 2016
- Sharada Srinivasan & Vijayluxmi Panray (Bangalore IISc): The Intangible Aspect of ‘Artefact’ as ‘Heritage’: Explorations within Artisanal Communities in South India and Mauritius
- Prof Sharada Srinivasan is invited to speak at the Steel Panorama: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow organised by SAIL (Steel Authority of India) with Indian Museum, Kolkata on 12th March on 'Indian primacy in crucible steel making'.
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Prof. Sharada Srinivasan, Dean, School of Humanities, NIAS will be giving a lecture titled "Metal Crafts Heritage of India" at the Conference on Development and Promotion of Art, Indira Gandhi Pratisthan, Lucknow on 7th October 2018.
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Sharada Srinivasan and Vijayluxmi Panray. The intangible aspect of 'artefact' as 'heritage': Exploration within artisanal communities in South India and Mauritius In the Conference The Past Before Us: Heritage and History in South Asia SOAS University of London, 5-6 September 2016 more
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At the 2-day seminar at Government Museum, Chennai, 'Iyal Isai Museum Edutainment Series', held to celebrate UNESCo's recognition of Chennai as a Creative City in Music, Prof Sharada Srinivasan speaks on 11th Feb on Árt, science and dance perspectives on Chola bronzes', from 2.40 to 3.20 pm along with noted artists and scholars including Anita Ratnam and Priyadarshini Govind.
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At the Conference on 'Dialogues at the Science-Society Interface' (8th-10th Feb) organised in memory of Prof C.V. Seshadri, well known developmental scientist, at IIT-M Research Park, Chennai Prof Sharada Srinivasan presents a paper on 'Artisanal metal technologies: historical trajectory and survival' on 8th Feb in a session on Traditional Knowledge Systems', with inaugural speakers including Prof M.S Swaminathan, former NIAS Council Chairman.
- Prof Sharada Srinivasan, Dean, School of Humanitis, NIAS delivered the lecture on "Chola Bronzes and Metal Technology" at Indian Council of Historic Research, South Regional Centre, Bengaluru on 24 January 2018 at 5PM which was presided by Prof M.J Kamalakshi, President, Karnataka Lalitha Kala Academy, Bengaluru
- Public Lecture by Dr Sila Tripati at Indian Council of Historic Research, Bangalore Centre, (ICHR), on Maritime history and contacts with Southeast Asia on Oct 31st, 4.30 pm to be chaired by Prof Sharada Srinivasan, Dean, School of Humanitis, NIAS.
- Harshini Vakkalanka, "History through a different Lens," interview with Prof Sharada Srinivasan, The Hindu, 18 September 2017
- Prof. Sharada Srinivasan's TEDx talk on Prehistoric 'rock' music and dance.