Sharada Srinivasan

Prof. Sharada Srinivasan is a Professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru. She received the Padhmashri, the fourth highest civilian award from Government of India last year in Archaeology in 2019. She has made pioneering contributions to the study of archaeology and history of art from the perspective of exploring engineering applications in these disciplines. Prof. Sharada Srinivasan’s landmark contributions include archaeometric characterisation of bronzes of South India using lead isotope analysis and archaeometallurgical studies on ancient mining and metallurgy in southern India. These span studies on the production mechanisms of high carbon wootz steel and documentation of artisanal technologies such as Aranmula high tin bronze metal mirror making, bronze casting at Swamimalai and ancient and continuing traditions of high-tin bronze working, while she has worked on artefacts in the Government Museum, Chennai, British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, ASI and so on. Prof. Sharada Srinivasan is a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and World Academy of Art and Science. Her awards include the Dr. Kalpana Chawla Young Women Scientist Award for 2011, the Indian Institute of Metals, Certificate of Excellence 2007 and Materials Research Society of India Medal 2006, the Malti B. Nagar Ethnoarchaeology Award (2005), and the DST-SERC Young Scientist Fellowship, the Flinders Petrie Medal 1989 from University of London, the Materials Research Society Graduate Student Award 1996, the DST Nurture Scheme and Young Scientist Awards and the British Chevening Scholarship for her Phd work. She has been a Forbes Research Associate at the Department of Scientific Research and Conservation, Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, USA in 1999 and Homi Bhabha Fellow at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore from 1996-98. She has been a co-recipient of awards from UKIERI, UK, (on pioneering iron and steel metallurgy), AHRC, UK, (on interfaces between archaeology and drama), SSHRC Canada, Royal Society, National Science Foundation and other international bodies. She is first author of the book ‘India’s Legendary Wootz Steel’ and contributing author to ‘Ecstasy of Classical Art’, the bronze catalogue of National Museum, Delhi and co-editor of ‘Digital Hampi’ on digital explorations into the art and architecture of Hampi. She is on the Standing Committee of the international Beginning of the Use of Metals and Alloys Conference. She has also been an accomplished exponent of the classical dance form of Bharata Natyam and has given numerous lecture-demonstrations such as on the artistic and scientific perspectives on the Chola Nataraja bronze at international museums such as Royal Academy of Arts, London (2007) and with a photo-exhibition on the theme at Space City, Toulouse (2009) apart from national venues. She has earned her PhD from the Institute of Archaeology, University College London (1996) on Archaeometallurgy of South Indian bronzes; MA from School of Oriental & African Studies, London (1989) and BTech in Engineering Physics from IIT Bombay (1987).

https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/environmentalist-thimakka-physicist-godbole-and-3-others-ktaka-win-padma-awards-95677

Education:

Ph.D. (1996), in Archaeometallurgy from Institute of Archaeology, University College London, UK. Title: “The enigma of the dancing ‘pancha-loha’ (five-metalled) icons: Art historical and archaeometallurgical investigations on south Indian metal icons’; with applications of frontline archaeometric techniques such as lead isotope analysis, compositional and trace element analysis, and ore-artefact analysis for finger-printing and provenancing medieval south Indian statuary bronzes (130) sampled from Victoria and Albert Museum London, Government Museum, Chennai and British Museum with technical studies also undertaken at Oxford Research Laboratory for History of Art and Archaeology
Master’s (1989), School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London in Art and Archaeology (Distinction).
Bachelor of Technology (1987), Indian Institute of Technology, Powai, Engineering Physics
Higher Secondary Certificate, Jai Hind College, Mumbai (1983)

Research Interests

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.

The subjects of interest include Art History, Archaeology and Archaeological Sciences, Technical Art History, Archaeometallurgy and Archaeomaterials, History of Science and Technology, Scientific applications in the study of art and archaeological objects, iconography and iconometry, Ancient Mining and Metal Production, Traditional technologies, Ethnoarchaeology, Crafts documentation, Experimental archaeology, Archaeoastronomy, Digital and computer vision applications in heritage studies, Geo-archaeology and surveying of sites, Heritage Science, Materials Heritage, Aspects of art-science, art-technology inter-relationship, performance studies, acoustic archaeology; background as acclaimed performer of Bharata Natyam, south Indian classical dance.

Awards and Recognitions

PADMASHRI AWARDEE in ARCHAEOLOGY 2019, Fourth highest civilian National award from Government of India
Dr. Kalpana Chawla Young Women’s Scientist Award 2011, given by Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology and Government of Karnataka
Arts and Humanities Research Council UK Grant Co-Awardee 2018
SSHRC Canada, Insight Grant Co-Awardee 2018
British Council UKIERI-II Grant Co-Awardee 2014
British Council UKIERI-I Standard Grant Co-Awardee 2009
Indian Institute of Metals, Certificate of Excellence 2007
Materials Research Society of India (MRSI) Medal 2006
Malti B. Nagar Ethnoarchaeology Award (2005) for paper on ‘Megalithic high-tin bronzes
MRS Graduate Student Award, Materials Research Society, USA, 1997, Boston, for best paper on Archaeometallurgical implications of the making high-tin ‘delta’ bronze mirrors and ‘beta’ bronze vessels in Kerala state of South India”
Flinders Petrie Prize and Medal from University of London, 1989 for MA dissertation on ‘Technological aspects of use of stone in Indian temples’

Elected Fellowships & other Distinctions

Adjunct Fellow since 2019, Indian Institute of Science, Centre for Society and Policy
Honorary Research Fellow, University of Exeter since 2011
Elected Fellow, Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland since 2007
Elected Associate Fellow, World Academy for Art and Science, 2010
Charles Wallace Trust Visiting Scholar 2012
V&A Nehru Fellow (through Nehru Trust for Indian collections at V& A) (2007, 1994)
HomiBhabha Fellow 1996-8
British Chevening Scholar 1990-1995
ODS (Overseas studentship, 1990-3), University College London

Member National/International bodies

Committee Member, Advisory Committee Member, CSIR-Traditional Knowledge Digital Library
Advisory Committee Member, C.V. Seshadri Endowment, Anna University
Advisory Committee Member, CSIR-Traditional Knowledge Digital Library
Advisory Committee Member, C.V. Seshadri Endowment, Anna University
Member, Advisory Board, Centre for South Asian Studies, University of Exeter
Member, Editorial Board, Journal of Ethnoarchaeology
Standing Committee Member, International Conference of the Beginning of Use of Metals and Alloys, (BUMA) (since 2009)
Member, Advisory Committee, Centre for Traditional Knowledge Systems, Indira Gandhi National Open University, IGNOU, New Delhi since 2011
Scientific Committee Member, & Indian Subcontinent Session Chair, World of Iron Conference, Natural History Museum, London, Feb 2009
Member, Board, Institute of Archaeometallurgical Studies, Institute of Archaeology, London

Book Chapters

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.
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.
Srinivasan, Sharada . 2016. “Techniques of Bronze Casting”. In Ecstacy of Classical Art: Indian Bronzes, Ecstacy of Classical Art: Indian Bronzes, New Delhi : National Museum Collection, National Museum, 20-36 .
Srinivasan, Sharada . 2015. “Bronze image casting in Tanjavur district, Tamil Nadu: Ethnoarchaeological and archaeometallurgical insights”. In Metals and Civilisations, Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on the Beginning of the Use of Metals and Alloys, NIAS Special Publication No. SP7-2015, Metals and Civilisations, Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on the Beginning of the Use of Metals and Alloys, NIAS Special Publication No. SP7-2015, Bengaluru : National Institute of Advanced Studies, 209-216.
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/.
Srinivasan, Sharada . 2014. “Aesthetics and the foundations of science: Insights from Indian metallurgical traditions”. In Foundations of Scinces, Foundations of Scinces, ed. BV Sreekantan. Delhi: Pearson, 209–254. http://eprints.nias.res.in/601/.
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, eds. Marijke J Klokke and Degroot, Veronique . Singapore: NUS Press, 167–178. http://eprints.nias.res.in/357/.
Srinivasan, Sharada . 2013. “Indian iron and steel, with special reference to southern India”. In The World of Iron, The World of Iron, eds. Jane Humphris and Rehren, Thilo . London: Archetype Publications, 83–90. http://eprints.nias.res.in/606/.
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, ed. Deo Prakash Sharma. New Delhi: Kaveri Books, 179–193. http://eprints.nias.res.in/603/.
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, eds. Anura Manatunga, Amunugama, Sarath , and Abarathna, AHMH . Colombo: Department of Information, Government of Sri Lanka, 245–256. http://eprints.nias.res.in/354/.
Srinivasan, Sharada . 2011. “Nataraja and cosmic space: Nature and culture intertwinings in the early Tamil tradition”. In Nature and Culture, Nature and Culture, eds. Roddam Narasimha and Menon, Sangeetha . New Delhi: PHISPC and CSC, 271–288. http://eprints.nias.res.in/259/.
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, eds. B Bellina, Pryce, O , Bacus, E , and J Christie, Wisseman . Bangkok: River Books, 239–271. http://eprints.nias.res.in/282/.
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, ed. B D Chattopadhyay. New Delhi: Pearson and Longman, 251–268. http://eprints.nias.res.in/330/.
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, eds. J Mei and Rehren, T . London: Archetype Books, 116–122. http://eprints.nias.res.in/326/.
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., ed. Helaine Selin. New York: Springer Verlag, 1699 –1704. http://eprints.nias.res.in/327/.
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, eds. Suzanne MM Young, A Pollard, Mark , Budd, Paul , and Ixer, Robert A. Oxford: Archaeopress, 200–210. http://eprints.nias.res.in/605/.
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, eds. Asko Parpola and Koskikallio, Petteri . Helsinki: SuomalainenTiedeakatemia, 675–705. http://eprints.nias.res.in/607/.

Book Reviews

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

Srinivasan, Sharada . 2017. 2nd Dr. Frank E. Chookolingo and Evamaria E. Chookolingo Memorial Lecture Chola and Vijayangara Bronzes: Archaeometallurgical mapping of shifting iconographies. Banaras: Dept of History of Art Faculty of Arts, Banaras Hindu University.
Singh, Tejpal , Sanjib Kumar Singh, and Sharada Srinivasan. 2016. Indian Bronze: Ecstasy of Classical Art. New Delhi: National Museum.
Srinivasan, Sharada , Srinivasa Ranganathan, and Alessandra Guimlia-Mair. 2015. SP7-2015 BUMA Metals and Civilizations. http://eprints.nias.res.in/756/.
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/.
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

Srinivasan, Sharada . 2014. “Iconographic trends in Rama worship: Insights from techno-cultural studies of bronzes”. In Conference on ‘The Ramayana in Literature, Society and the Arts. February 1-2, 2013. pp. 345-62 , Conference on ‘The Ramayana in Literature, Society and the Arts. February 1-2, 2013. pp. 345-62 , Chennai: CP Ramaswamy Aiyar Institute of Indological Research.
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/.
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/.

Online Lectures delivered by Prof Sharada Srinivasan under e-Patshala Series (Vidya-mitra)

History of Metals and Alloys

Projects and grants

Co-investigator on Insight Development Award from Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Canada for the project on ‘Metallurgy, Materiality and Society in South India’ with Prof Peter Johansen, Mc Gill University Canada, commencing 2019
Co-investigator of a Research Network Award 2018 from Arts and Humanities Research Council, UK for project on ‘Politics of Performance in the Urban Periphery in Southern India’ http://humanities.exeter.ac.uk/newsandevents/news/articles/partnershipwiththenationa.html
IGNCA Vishwakarma project to make artisanal technology documentaries and to write book monograph on Metal crafts of the Vishwakarma and Kammalar (since 2015)
Indian National Science Academy, Art of making Kerala Mirror’, (3 years since 2016)
UKIERI-II Awardee and Co-Chair for British Council funded project on Split-site PhDs with Exeter University (2012-2016) in Archaeology and Drama (Intangible Histories)
Co-Director,NIAS project on ‘Explorations in northern Telangana for megalithic and iron age sites’, Survey Permit awarded by Archaeological Survey of India for 2013
Royal Society-DST India-UK networking scientific grant co-awardee 2011-2012
Charles Wallace Trust India Grant Awardee for UK visit March 2012 for conservation
Digital Hampi, India Digital Heritage (IDH) project supported by DST, PI for project on ‘Analytical cum digital applications in the study of Vijayanagara bronzes’, 2011-2014
UKIERI-I (UK-India Education Research Initiative, British Council supported) Standard Research Grant Awardee (2009-2011), & Indian Lead Investigator for collaborative project with Exeter University for project ‘Pioneering metallurgy: origins of steel making in the southern Indian subcontinent’ with archaeometallurgical surveys and technical studies focusing on the iron and steel production sites in the Telengana region of Andhra Pradesh
Co-investigator, RESPOND & ISRO supported project ‘Geospatial techniques in heritage management’, 2010-13
Grant from University of Michigan for study on ferrous metal artefacts excavated from megalithic site of Kadebakele in Karnataka, 2010
Grant from National Science Foundation award to Prof Carla Sinopoli, University of Michigan for studies on ferrous metal from the site of Kadebakele2009
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences, University of Mumbai, grant in astronomy-art-metallurgy interfaces, 2008-2009.
Department of Science & Technology, India (DST) Nurture Scheme Awardee (2005-8) for study of metal artefacts from Harappan sites such as Dholavira
V&A Nehru Fellow (Nehru Trust for Victoria & Albert Museum collections, awarded 2007)
India Foundation for Arts, Art Documentation Research Awardee (2004-6) for documentation of Indian metal crafts
TataSteel funded book project on wootz steel for Twin Centenary
Dorabji Tata Trust and Ratan Tata Trust grants for conference attendances in 2005, 2007
India-Sri Lanka Fund Awardee, New Delhi, 2001
British Council Chevening PhD Scholarship, Institute of Archaeology, London (1990-4)
Overseas Research Studentship (ORS), UK, towards overseas PhD. tuition (1990-4)
Charles Wallace Trust-India, Topping-up Award for PhD. research in UK (1990-1).
J.N Tata Fellow, 1988

ICSSR, Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) Scientific Webinar on ‘’Preservation of Cultural Heritage’’ 31st March & 1st April 2021

Dear Colleagues,

You are cordially invited to an Indo-Russian seminar of ICSSR and Russian Academy of Sciences on Preservation of Cultural Heritage (31st March to 1st April) where Prof Sharada Srinivasan is also speaking, please find as attached the details and links to join.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85213630618?pwd=VE5TZ3p2akdzcHNCNkNxWHZjeEFPQT09#success

Prof Sharada Srinivasan's lecture on 'Zinc Extraction and Steel Making: Archaeometallurgical Insights' at the Seminar on Chemistry in Ancient India organised by TIFR, DST and American Chemical Society and Royal Chemical Society, 7 November 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6kV2v4dl2k
Prof Sharada Srinivasan was invited to speak on Aranmula mirror making by Indian Museum Kolkata as part of their Lockdown Series, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyGqZISN4To
Prof Sharada Srinivasan was invited to give a Lockdown Live Lecture on April 12^th of the Lockdown Live Lecture series organised by Vijnana Bharati on the topic of Indian contributions to metallurgy in an archaeological perspective
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIO58EySx_0&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR3G5IubNWb7Uz6NGB9r-FFig-nwLvtsw0YzJSInu5tJay7WE0qsr8pibwg
Prof Sharada Srinivasan lecture on 22^nd Feb 2020 on ‘Vijayanagara heritage and bronzes: digital perspectives’ at National Museum, New Delhi coinciding with NIAS partnered exhibition on Indian Heritage in Digital Space https://www.facebook.com/Nationalmuseumnewdelhi/videos/287500025545107/?v=287500025545107&external_log_id=0934c2791752058abb04e492584cfe3a&q=NIAS%20Heritage%20Forum%20national%20museum
Prof Sharada Interview with Pallava Bagla on the Digital Hampi Exhibition and Gallery Tour, 22Feb 2020, ‘When Science meets Art’ on use of laser-scanning, 3-D scanning and augmented reality in exploring heritage https://youtu.be/inIrP0oYaNc

International Conferences, Honour Lectures (excluding published) and Performance Events

2^nd March 2019, Keynote Lecture on Scientificapplications in Art and Archaeology some insights from archaeometallurgy, International conference on Strengthening synthesis for better understanding Archaeology of Sri Lanka, at the Postgraduate institute of Archaeology, Sri Lanka
June 29, 2017, Nataraja framed by Betelguese and Syrius: Explorations in early medieval Tamil stone and bronze iconography, Paper presented for 15th Annual International Conference on History & Archaeology: From Ancient to Modern 26-29 June 2017, Athens, Greece
Sharada Srinivasan and Vijayluxmi Panray, 4^th Sept 2016, The intangible aspect of ‘artefact’ as ‘heritage’: explorations within artisanal communities from southern India and Mauritius',Invited Paper presented at Conference of SOAS South Asia Institute, SOAS, London, The Past before us: Heritage and History of South Asia, 4^th-6^th Sept 2016.
Srinivasan, S. 2015, Comparisons between megalithic and early historic Indian vessels & high-tin bronzes with early examples found in Thailand, 15^th International Conference of the European Association of Southeast Asian Archaeologists, 6^th-10^th July, University of Nanterre, Paris
Invited Lecture-dance performance, 10^th May, 2012 ‘Under the Hampi Skies’, Planetarium Vaulx-en-Velin, Lyon, France
‘Telanganaarchaeomaterials’, Royal Society and DST supported India-UK scientific seminar as collaboration between NIAS and Exeter University on ‘Indian iron and steel – developing interdisciplinary applications in archaeometallurgy and geospatial archaeology’ at Exeter University between 7-9^th March 2012 (co-organiser)
‘Cosmic Dance of Siva: exploring art, science and dance aspects of Indian sculpture’, In celebration of the re-installation of the Asian Galleries, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, USA, Sept 2011 (lecture-performance)
‘Cosmic inspiration and art in relation to the Shiva Nataraja bronze’, ‘Seventh International Conference on Inspiration of Astronomical Phenomena’, INSAPVII, Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institution, UK, 25-29, Oct., 2010, p. 41, organized by the Sophia Centre for the Study of Cosmology in Culture, University of Wales and Royal Astronomical Society.
‘Archaeometallurgical insights on high-carbon wootz/Damascus steel from southern India', Department of Materials Processing and Tribilogy, Purdue University, May 14th, 2010
‘Art & Science of Chola bronzes’, organized by Interdisciplinary Archaeology Workshop & TAPSA, University of Chicago, May 13, 2010
‘Dancing Shiva Nataraja: art-science insights’, UC Berkeley, USA, May 6, 2010 (dance)
“Cosmic Dance of Shiva’, Norton Simon Museum, USA, Apr. 30, 2010 (Dance demonstration)
‘Wootz steel: pioneering metallurgy from southern India’, CISAC, Stanford, USA, May 3^rd 2010
Srinivasan, S. and Balasubramaniam. R.. 2009, Crucible steel and phosphoric iron: Issues of Innovation and Technology from the Indian/Asian context., World of Iron Conference, 16-20 Feb 2009, Natural History Museum, London, p. 23.
Selected for international La Novela Festival, Toulouse, First Festival of Knowledge as speaker and performer of unique intercontinental, interactive, internet-streamed duet performance ‘Danse e-Toile: Nataraja et le Cosmos’, across Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore and Cite de L’espace, Toulouse, Oct 17^th 2009, for La Novela Festival, Toulouse, live-streamed on website of X-Réseau of Théâtre Paris-Villette also supported by Observatoire de Midi-Pyrenees and Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences, ISRO and JSW Foundation
‘Southeast Asian and peninsular Indian statuary: stylistic and technological comparisons’, 12^th International conference, European Association of Southeast Asian Archaeology, Leiden,Sept. 2008.
“Nataraja: art, science, dance perspectives’, 2018, Dance Demonstration, Leiden University
‘Skilled metal craft of delta bronze mirrors at Aranmula, Kerala’, University of Toyoma, Japan, Seminar on Asian high-tin bronzes, July 2008
‘Siva as Cosmic Dancer: Archaeoastronomical studies on Nataraja bronze’. Royal Academy of Arts, London for exhibition ‘Chola: Sacred bronzes from Southern India’, Jan 19^th 2007
‘Art & Science of Chola bronzes’, Royal Asiatic Society, London, coinciding with the exhibition ‘Chola: Sacred bronzes from southern India’, Feb 6^th 2007
'The musical pillars of Hampi', INTACH-Belgium, Leuven, coinciding with the exhibition at BOZAR ‘Tejas: 5000 years of Indian art’, in Brussels, 16^th Jan 2007.
‘Archaeometallurgical and archaeo-astronomical insights on south Indian bronzes’, International Workshop on Science in Culture, sponsored by UNESCO, International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy, 23-28 Oct 2006
‘Dholavira, Insights from metal analysis’. 19^th International Conference on European Association of South Asian Archaeologists, Ravenna, Italy, July 2007
‘Indian wootz steel’, Centre de Rechercheet de Restauration des Musees de France, Louvre, Paris, Feb 2007.
'Technology as social construct: Chola bronzes', Nottingham University, UK, 24th Jan 2007‘
South Indian bronzes: concepts of inner and outer space’, Indian Arts Circle, London, Jan 30 2007
‘Stone architecture and musical pillars of Hampi’, China Conservatory of Music, Beijng, Sept. 2006
‘Dialogue between Science and Religion: A case study of the Hindu Nataraja bronze’, 22^nd International Conference of History of Science, Beijing, July 23-28 2005
‘Investigating martial arts swords from Kerala’, International conference on ‘Metallurgy: A touchstone for cross-cultural interactions’ at British Museum, London, April 28-29, 2005‘Archaeometallurgy of bronzes from South India and Sri Lanka’ Uppsala University, Sweden, Nov 2002 as Visiting Faculty, Dept. of Archaeology, Uppsala University.
‘From temple to mantelpiece: changing paradigms in the art and craft of south Indian metal icons’. Presented at international seminar on ‘South Asian Arts: Past Practice, Living Traditions’ at PRASADA, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK, June 2002.
‘Lead isotope analysis on south Indian bronzes’ International Seminar on Proposed Asian Institute of Museology and Culture in Development, organized by UNESCO and Central Cultural fund, Sri Lanka at Habarana (May 2002)
‘Image casting and high-tin bronze traditions in south India’, Presented at international conference on Metals in Antiquity: Founders, Platers and Smiths at Oxford (Sept. 1999)
‘Ethnographic metal working in India’, Research School for Archaeology, University of Sheffield, Nov. 1999
‘Finger-printing south Indian images using lead isotope analysis’, at conference of COST-G1 committee on Ion Bean Analysis in Art and Archaeology, European Commission & University of Oxford (Nov. 1998)
‘High-tin bronzes from south India from prehistory into present day: making of beta bronze vessels and delta bronze mirrors’, at Dept. of Materials Science, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, USA, Oct. 1998.
‘Aspects of continuity in copper-base metallurgy and finds of bronzes of high tin from Indus Valley into present day southern India”, Presented at conference The Present and Future of Indus Valley Archaeology, held at 27^th Annual Conference on South Asia held at University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1998.
‘Archaeometallurgy of South Indian bronzes’ at Nehru Centre, London and Institute as part of seminars organized by ‘Festival of India’s South’ in UK, June 1996
Paper presented as co-author (Srinivasan, Sharada&Sarma, Nataraj.) on ‘History of Measurement and Calibration of Time in Bombay’ for the Eighth International Scientific Instrument Symposium of the Society for the History and Philosophy of Science, London, at Burlington House, Society for Antiquaries, 12-16, Sept. 1988

Conferences, seminars, workshops organised

Co-organiserwith Prof Mark Kenoyer, Experimental Iron Smelting and Wootz Steel Making Workshop, NIAS, Aug 2018.
Co-organiser of Royal Society and DST supported India-UK scientific seminar as collaboration between NIAS and Exeter University on ‘Indian iron and steel – developing interdisciplinary applications in archaeometallurgy and geospatial archaeology’ at Exeter University between 7-9^th March 2012 (co-organised with Gill Juleff)
Co-organiser of British Council supported UKIERI Dissemination seminar Nov 14^th-18^th 2011 (with S. Ranganathan, G. Juleff), on ‘Pioneering metallurgy’ involving international and national speakers and inaugurated by British Minister for Science and Technology, David Willets.
Co-organiser, International Workshop on Material Culture, co-organised by NIAS with Jain University, Bangalore, ASI and Exeter University (11^th-14^th April 2014)
Co-organiser, ‘Sessions and practicals in experimental archaeology’ and ‘Insights into experimental archaeology: lithic technology and archaeometallurgy’, UKIERI supported seminar and workshop at NIAS in collaboration with Exeter University, Feb 23-25^th, 2011
Co-chair and Co-organiser, International Conference on Beginning of Use of Metals and Alloys (BUMA VII), Sept 2009, NIAS
Indian Subcontinent Session Chair, World of Iron Conference, Natural History Museum, London, Feb 2009
Co-organiser, international seminar on ‘Tangible and intangible heritage of Hampi’, NIAS, in association with Global Heritage and Friends of Hampi, Jan 2009 Co-organiser, Sixth NIAS-DST Training Programme on ‘Multi-Disciplinary perspectives in science and technology’, NIAS, Jul 21-Aug 2, 2008.
Co-organiser, Fifth NIAS-DST Training Programme on ‘Multi-Disciplinary perspectives in science and technology’, NIAS, Aug 19-31, 2007.
Session chair, Sixth international conference of ‘Beginning of Use of Metals and Alloys’ at Beijing, China, Sept 2006
Organiser, Sahitya Academy Seminar on ‘Sangam: Poetry-Theatre interactions’, NIAS, Sept 2005.

Published abstracts from conferences (excluding those published as full papers listed above)

Srinivasan, S., Feb 9 2018, 'Artisanal metal technologies: historical trajectory and survival', Session on Traditional Knowledge Systems', Conference on 'Dialogues at the Science-Society Interface' (8th-10th Feb) in memory of Prof C.V. Seshadri, organized by Anna University and PPST Foundation at IIT-M Research Park, Chennai
Srinivasan, S. 3^rd November 2016, Material Culture in Pre-Colonial and Early Colonial India. Venuse JNIAS. New Delhi, “Iconic Traditions, enigmatic alloys: Ethnometallurgy of Swamimalai “Panchaloha’ icons and Aranmula ‘Kannadi’ mirrors”
Poster for International ICOM Metals-2016 conference, at IGNCA, New Delhi, 26^th-30^th Sept, 2016 on ‘High-tin bronzes from peninsular India: some corrosion and conservation issues’’
Srinivasan, S., 2012, Ranganathan, S. and Suwas, S., ‘Ultra-high carbon steels and high-tin bronzes: insights into mechanical properties and processing from Indian traditional knowledge’, ICSMA-16, 16^th International Conference on Strength of Materials, Indian Institute of Science Bangalore, p. 57.
Srinivasan, S. 2012, ‘The Nataraja Bronze: Insights on Art, Technology and Philosophy’, Indian Art and Religion: An Interactive Approach, 21^st Session of Indian Art History Congress, Kolkata, 2012, p 113
Srinivasan, S. Balasubramaniam, R. and Jaikishan, S. 2007. On the common microstructural features of wootz steel crucibles from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Metallo 2007, International conference on Metals and Alloys: Past, Present and Future, IIT Kanpur, 7-10 Dec 2007, p. 194
Srinivasan, S. Nov 2011, ‘Telangana archaeomaterials’, Dissemination seminar, NIAS-Exeter UKIERI Pioneering Metallurgy Project.

Chair/ keynote speaker/key conference talks, special lectures (excluding those published and listed before)

Feb 28^th 2019, Archaeotechnological insights on south Indian metals heritage, Keynote Address, National Science Day, ISRO Satellite Centre.
7^th October 2018, Crafts and Artisan Demo Session on Development and promotion of Arts and Crafts, VVIP Lounge Earth Complex IGP, Lucknow.
March 8^th 2019, Archaeometric and archaeotechnological insights on bronzes from southern India, Indian Institute of Astrophysics, International Women’s Day Lecture, Koramangala.
National Conference on Science in Performing Arts, IUCAA, Pune, Jan 12^th 2019, The Nataraja bronze: perspectives on art, science and dance
Feb 26^th, 2019, Valedictory Address on ‘Innovation of iron technology and its impact on society’, Dravidian University, Kuppam.
4-5^th September 2018, Ooty Literary Festival, Nilgiri Library.
11^th August, 2018, Seminar Recording andDocumentation of Cultural Heritage. in CEPT University, Ahmedabad.
5^th June, 2018, Institute forOcean Management. Anna University. Chennai.
5th March, 2018, National Conference on EarlyIron Age in South Asia, in Department of Sanskrit & Indian Culture Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Viswa Mahavidyalaya, Kanchipuram.
March 15, 2018, Invited Conference Presentation on Finely wrought high-tin bronzes from Iron Age/Megalithic Tamil Nadu, National Conference on Early Iron Age in South Asia, in Department of Sanskrit & Indian Culture, Sri Chandrasekharendra SaraswathiViswaMahavidyalaya, Kanchipuram
3^rd November 2016, “Iconic Traditions, enigmatic alloys: Ethnometallurgy of Swamimalai “Panchaloha’ icons and Aranmula ‘Kannadi’ mirrors”, Seminar on Material Culture in Pre-Colonial and Early Colonial India, JNIAS, JNU New Delhi,
26^th October 2016. “Spectroscopic studies in the geological provenancing and stylistic finger-printing of Chola bronzes’. Mashelkar Lecture, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune.
22th June 2016, ‘Iron Age high-tin bronzes from Tamil Nadu and comparisons with southeast Asia’. In International Conference on Metal and Materials Research (ICMR 2016). Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
23-25^th March 2016, High-tin bronzes and cast imags from southern India 171^st ISIJ Meeting, International Organized Sessions, Tokyo, Japan
National Metallurgical Day, 28^th March 2015, Urban archaeology: reconcile past, present and future of our cities. Bell metal tradition. International seminar ON Cultural Heritage Management: A Global Perspective.The Asiatic Society, Kolkata
Steering Committee Member, IDH-DST Digital Hampi Workshop and Exhibition, New Delhi 18^th-19^th November, India Habitat Centre
Nov 26^th, 2013, ‘Metallurgy in Archaeology’, National seminar on South Indian Archaeology, World Heritage Week celebrations, ASI and Christ University
7^th Oct 2013, ‘Art history and inter-disciplinary interventions’, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat, Dept of Art History, College of Fine Arts
Aug, 6, 2013, Metallurgical analysis: Role of Chemistry in Archaeology, Symposium on application of sciences in Archaeology, Indian Museum, Kolkata
Aug 14^th-20^th, 2013, Three lectures for international workshop on ‘Personal Adornment from Pattanam and beyond’, organised by KCHR with British Museum and Pondicherry University.
January 29^th, 2013, “Wootz and the Damascus Blade: Metallurgy in the 18th Century”, Centre for public History in association with the Visvesvaraya industrial & Technological museum for Tipu Series talks to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Archaeological survey of India
Dec 9^th, 2012, Invited lecture-performance, ‘Cosmic dance of Siva’, 100 years of Cosmic Rays, International Conference, TIFR, Mumbai
14^th Nov, 2012, ‘Indian wootz steel: some archaeometallurgical insights on production mechanisms’, National Metallurgists Day, 50 years, Inaugural session, NMD conference organised by TataSteel and IIM, Jamshedpur
Asiatic Society Endowment lecture 12 Jan 2012 on ‘Faces and phases: archaeometallurgical and art historical insights on south Indian bronzes’, Asiatic Society, Mumbai
Keynote Address ‘A national workshop on preventive conservation of Manuscripts’ on behalf of National Manuscripts Mission, New Delhi, Government Museum, Chennai, 9^th Sept 2011
Diamond Jubilee invited lecture at National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur, on ‘Archaeometallurgy: case studies on ferrous metals, bronze and high-tin bronze from Indian antiquity’, April 2011
Chief Guest, National Science Day Celebrations, ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network, 10^th March 2010, Lecture on Art and Science
‘Cosmic Dance of Siva’, HomiBhabha Fellows Conclave, HomiBhabha Centenary celebrations, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, Nov 20^th 2009
‘Materials and Culture’, Special presentation, National Metallurgical Day, Nov 14^th 2008, Indian Institute of Metals, New Delhi, India Expo Centre.
‘Finger-printing of Bronzes’. International Women’s Association (IWA), Endowment Lecture at Government Museum, Chennai, Aug 2008
supported by SahityaAkademi at NIAS, Oct 2007
‘Cosmic Dance of Siva: archaeoastronomical connections in the art of Siva Nataraja’, International Astronautical Federation special event, International Astronautical Congress, Hyderabad, Sept. 2007

Selected other invited lectures& events/unpublished seminar or conference presentations

March 12, 2018, Invited Honour Public Lecture on 'Indian primacy in crucible steel making' for ‘Steel Panorama: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’ organised by SAIL (Steel Authority of India) with Indian Museum, Kolkata, at Indian Museum, Kolkatta
Dec 16, 2017, Keynote Address on ‘The intangible and the contested in notions of heritage’ for Interlude Conference on Contesting Heritage of Shristi Institute of Art, Design and Technology, 14th-16th Dec 2017, at the Division of Biological Science Auditorium of Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru
Feb 20 2018, Lecture on ‘Peripherals of performance: the marginalized cymbal makers of Kerala’, NIAS-Exeter Workshop on ‘Performing the Periphery’ at NIAS, organized by NIAS, Exeter University, and MOD, Berlin.
Feb 1, 2018, Invited Honour Lecture on ‘Árt, Science and Dance Perspectives on Chola Bronzes',at the 2-day seminar at Government Museum, Chennai, 'Iyal Isai Museum Edutainment Series', celebrating UNESCO recognition of Chennai as Creative City in Music
Feb 9 2018, Conference presentation on 'Artisanal metal technologies: historical trajectory and survival', Session on Traditional Knowledge Systems', Conference on 'Dialogues at the Science-Society Interface' (8th-10th Feb) in memory of Prof C.V. Seshadri, organized by Anna University and PPST Foundation at IIT-M Research Park, Chennai
Feb 9 2018 Speaker in Inaugural Session, Conference on Dialogues at Science-Society Interface, 8^th Feb, IIT-M Research Park, Talk on Prof Seshadri’s Contributions to Traditional Knowledge Systems
Feb 20 2018,
Jan 24, 2018, Invited Honour Lecture on Chola Bronzes and Metal Technology, for Indian Council of Historical Research, Bangalore
Nov 4, 2017, Plenary Special Invited Lecture ‘The Nataraja icon: Contemporary musings on design and cognition’ for conference on Culture, Cognition, Design organized by Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts-Southern Regional Centre (IGNCA-SRC) with National Institute of Design, (NID), Bengaluru
Sept 15 2017, Paper on ‘Ramayana bronzes of the Chola and Vijayanagara era’, International Conference on Connecting Cultures: Ramayana Retellings in South India and Southeast Asia, Reva University
July 12^th 2017, ‘Some Ethnoarchaeological Aspects of Nilgiris’, NIAS Wednesday Discussion Meeting
April 12, 2017, “Art of Making Kerala Mirror’, History of Science Project Investigators Meet, New Delhi.
25^th November 2016, workshop on Conservation of Excavated Remains with special Reference to Ancient Jaina Site Artipura. “Jain bronzes fromKarnataka-some historical & technical aspects”, Govt. of India. Archaeological Survey of India, Bangalore Circle.
15^th November 2016, ‘Metal craft traditions and intangible heritage some cases studies from Southern India and Andhra’, Intangible Heritage Festival, Amravathi
25^th- 30^th September 2016, Special Session on Delhi Iron Pillar, ICOM-Metals 2016 Conference, New Delhi, IGNCA
22th June 2016, ‘Iron Age high-tin bronzes from Tamil Nadu and comparisons with southeast Asia’. In International Conference on Metal and Materials Research (ICMR 2016). Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
20-21^st June 2016, Authentication of bronzes, “Illicit Trafficking of Indian Cultural Wealth’, Seminar organized by Archaeological Survey of India, Bangalore.
12-13 April 2016, ‘Art of making Kerala Mirror’, History of Science Project Investigators Meet. Inian National Science Academy, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi
19^th March 2016, Lecture on ‘Technology of traditional crafts and design’, DFrost Festival, National Institute of Design, Bangalore
12^thMarch 2016, TEDX talk PES Institute of Technology, Bangalore South CampusPES Institute of Technology, Bangalore South Campus
8^th March 2016, Women's Day, Keynote Speaker at Jain University, Bangalore
17^th December 2015, Metallurgy and Culture, NIAS Course for Ishan Vikas- Udhan Programme, NIAS, Bangalore
11^th December 2015, Presided by Vijayanagar - Krishna Devaraya& ‘Amuktamalyada’. 50th Year of Art Education, Karnataka ChitrakalaParishath, Bangalore.
5^thDecember 2015, Intangible Heritage Festival 2015, SSUS Kalady.
15^thNovember 2015, High-tin bronze metallurgy and South Indian & Tamil innovations. National Metallurgists Day 2015, 4^thDecember 2015, Coimbatore
10^th October 2015, “Art of Making Kerala Mirror”. History of Science Seminar and Project Investigators’ Meet. Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad
7^th October 2015, “Archaeometallurgy –An Emerging Science”. The Bangalore Science Forum, The National College Basavanagudi, Bangalore
28^th March 2015, ‘Bell metal tradition’, Urban archaeology: reconcile past, present and future of our cities. International seminar on Cultural Heritage Management: A Global Perspective.The Asiatic Society, Kolkata
11^th April 2014, Lecture-demonstration, ‘Dance and material culture’, Jain University, Material Culture Workshop, NIAS, with ASI.
21-23^rd January 2014, Cultural Anthropology of Bronze Casting, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi
7th-9th January 2014, Arguing for a role for ‘scientific cultural anthropology’ in contributing to greater ‘societal awareness’‘How can liberal arts and sciences help address some of the societal problems within India and promote equity in society’: The Future of Liberal Arts in India, Yale-India Initiative and Raman Research Institute.
9th-11^th 2013, December, Cultural and artisanal landscapes: insights from the World heritage zones of Tanjavur and Kumbakonam, Workshop on World Heritage Sites and cultural landscapes, ASI, National Monuments Advisory, India International Centre, New Delhi
29, Nov 2013, Vanishing heritage of Kammalar and Vishwakarma, workshop on Worldview of Viswakarma, Consultative meeting, IGNCA, New Delhi
Aug 14^th-20^th, 2013, Three lectures given as invited expert for international workshop and training programme on ‘Personal Adornment from Pattanam and beyond’, organised by KCHR with British Museum and Pondicherry University:
14^th December, 2012, “The Dance of Siva: The Nataraja Bronze, Coomaraswamy’s Legacy and Archaeometallurgical and Stylistic Insights”, Bangalore International Centre
1^st Oct 2012, ‘Perspectives on Technology in Ancient India’, NIAS-DST course on Multi-disciplinary perspectives in Science and Technology.
17th October, 2012, “Old gold and copper workings from Karnataka: Observationsfrom archaeometallurgical field visits of 1990-91”, NIAS Wednesday Discussion Meeting
18^th October, 2012, “Indian Contribution to Metallurgy”, Seminar on Indian contribution to the world, Kaveri Auditorium, KSOU, Mysore
13^th September, 2012, 'Metallurgy and materials characterisation of ancient artisans and commercial utilization',organized by Karnataka Council for Science and Technology, Golden Jubilee Seminar Hall, Dept. Of Civil Engineering, IISc
TITAN,22^nd Feb 2012, Invited Talk for TITAN Co-Creation Workshop, Innovation Journey ‘Chola bronzes: Some insights into the development of iconography and religious and social history from technical and archaeometallurgical studies’, Early Indian Art Lectures, Art History Department, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, 26^th Sept 2011
Talks related to ‘TelanganaArchaeomaterials’ and ‘Theatre and Art of South Indian bronzes’, June 2011, High level Delegation meet, Exeter University
‘Archaeometallurgical studies on ferrous metal finds from megalithic site of Kadebakele’, for National Geographic Society, (USA), Grant Committee visit to Bangalore Jan 7^th 2011.
‘Nataraja: art, science, dance and gender perspectives’, DST-NIAS course on ‘Gender in Science and Technology’, Nov 2010
‘Vijayanagara bronzes: ICT, digital and analytical approaches’, GeoICT PAMC Meeting, Sept, 14^th 2010, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, organized by DST.
‘Wrought and quenched high-tin bronzes from south Indian megaliths’, National workshop of Archaeological Sciences, organized by Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi, Aug 2010.
‘Phases and faces: Bronze and high-tin bronze metalware traditions from southern India’, Centre for Contemporary Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 4^th Feb 2010,
‘Phases and faces: Splendours of South Indian bronzes’, NIAS-DST course on Dimensions of Nanotechnology, NIAS, Bangalore, 15^thDec 2009
‘High-tin bronzes and mirrors: Archaeometallurgical and ethnoarchaeological insights on continuing traditions’, History Panel, HomiBhabha Fellows Conclave, HomiBhabha Centenary celebrations, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, Nov 20^th 2009
‘Report on Dholavira; studies on Harappanarchaeometallurgy’, SERC-DST Projects Review, 6^th April, NIT, 2008, Raipur.
‘Nataraja bronze: Art, Science & Dance perspectives’ Event for World Heritage Week, Brhadiswara Temple, Tanjavur, 2008, organized by Tamil Nadu Tourism, Nov, 22, 2008,
‘Communicating Science: the place of traditional knowledge, crafts and arts’, World Academy of Art and Science, General Assembly Sept. 16-19 2008, Hyderabad, supported by UNESCO.
‘Ancient Indian Metallurgy and Technology’, Symposium on Classical Indian Sciences, Poornapragnya Institute, Feb 2008
‘Poetry, theatre and arts nexus in Tamil and South Indian traditions, National Seminar supported by SahityaAkademi, New Delhi at NIAS on ‘Sangam: Interactions of Poetry and Theatre’, Oct 26^th 2007
‘Lead isotope studies on Jain bronzes’, Symposium on Jain bronzes from Karnataka, South Asia Institute, Heidelberg University & National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, Feb 3^rd, 2007
‘Authenticating art objects and metal artifacts: global perspectives.’ Proceedings of conference on ‘Authenticity of Art’ at Government Museum, Chennai, Dec 2006
‘Dance as ritual in negotiations of ‘inner’ and ‘outer’ space: insights from prehistory to present day in south India’ Conference on Change and Stability in Rituals, Heidelberg University, at Max Mueller Bhavan, New Delhi, 11-14^th Oct 2006
MRSI Medals Lecture: ‘Phases and faces of bronze: archaeometallurgical studies on ancient Indian high-tin bronzes’, Materials Research Society of India-AGM, Feb 12^th, 2006, Lucknow
‘Megalithic high-tin bronzes’, National conference on History of Science and Technology, Hyderabad University, Sept 2004
‘Early Historic bronzes and metal artefacts from southern India: technical insights’, National conference on Early Historic Archaeology, CASTEI, Kolkatta, Oct 2003.
‘High-tin bronze vessels and mirrors from south India’, Symposium on Indian contributions to History of Science, MAHE, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, May 2003
‘Aesthetics and Foundations of Science’, seminar on Foundations of Science at NIAS, supported by PHISPC series, Feb 2003
‘Finger-printing and authentication of metal icons’, at C.P. Ramaswamy Aiyer Indological Foundation, Madras/Chennai, Feb 1999
‘Authentication and finger-printing of metal artefacts’ at seminar on ‘Authentification of Museum Artefacts’ at National Museum, New Delhi as part of Enduring Image exhibition from British Museum, UK, Dec 1997.
‘Crucible steel from South India’ at Seminar on ‘Early Production of Steel’, at Institute of Archaeology, University College London, June 1996.
‘High tin mirrors from Kerala’, World Archaeology Congress (WAC-3), New Delhi, 1994.

Others, co-authored/co-presented papers at conferences etc

Takekazu.Nagae, Sharada Srinivasan, SrinivasaRanganathan, R.M.Pillai, Yasuji Shimizu and HaruhisaMifune, 2013 ‘Thermographical Analysis of Continuing Tradition of Mirror Casting in Kerala’, BUMA VIII, Japan, Sept 11^th-14^th 2013 (Conference on Beginning of the Use of Metals and Alloys)
Bharat Dixit, Satyam Suwas, Sharada Srinivasan, S Jaikishan and S Ranganathan, 2013, ‘Microstructural analysis of a wootz steel blade from contemporary northern Telangana, BUMA VIII, Japan, Sept 11^th-14^th 2013, (Conference on Beginning of the Use of Metals and Alloys)
S Ranganathan, Sharada Srinivasan, K Nagata and M Inaba, Cultural Heritage Science- Examples from Japan and India, India-Taiwan Bilateral Seminar on Technology for Preservation of Heritage Artefacts and Architecture Design Taichung, June 2012
S, Srinivasan, K. Morrison, C. Sinopoli, K. Gopal and S. Ranganathan ‘South Indian iron age complex of Kadebakele and iron and steel finds’, European Association of Southeast Asian Archaeologists, Paris, France, July 2-6, 2012
Srinivasan, S. 2012, ‘The Nataraja Bronze: Insights on Art, Technology and Philosophy’, Indian Art and Religion: An Interactive Approach, 21^st Session of Indian Art History Congress, Kolkata, 2012
Srinivasan, S. 2012, Archaeometallurgy of wootz steel: insights from some productions sites in southern India, Archaeometallurgy of the Deccan, organised by S. Jaikishan, supported by S. Jaikishan. 1^st Nov 2012
S Ranganathan, Satyam Suwas and Sharada Srinivasan, Thermomechanical processing of highly alloyed ultrahigh carbon steels and high tin bronzes in ancient Indian traditions,Ancient and premodern production of iron and non-ferrous metals in Europe, Middle –east and Asia, ISIJ, Ehime Prefecture, Vol 25 (2012)
R. Balasubramaniam, Sharada Srinivasan and S Ranganathan, Ancient Indian Iron and Steel and Modern Scientific Insights,Seventh International Conference on the Beginning of the Use of Metals and Alloys (BUMA-VII) National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore , September 14-17, 2009
G. Juleff, S. Srinivasan, S. Ranganathan, S. Jaikishanand B. Gilmour, ^,Pioneering Metallurgy: iron and steel making in southern India – survey fieldwork in Andhra Pradesh, IAAH
‘Survey of iron and steel production in northern Telengana, Andhra Pradesh, India and typological classification of archaeometallurgical remains’, H. Thakur, S. Srinivasan, S. Ranganathan, G. Juleff, B. Gilmour, J. Sriperumbudur, Third SOSAA Congress of the Society for South Asian Archaeology, held in University of Kelaniya, Sri-Lanka, 20 – 22 August 2010.
‘Application of Geographical Information System in Archaeometallurgy: A Case study of Telenganawootz production’, N S Nalini, M B Rajani, S. Srinivasan, S. Ranganathan, Gill Juleff, Brian Gilmour, J. Sriperumbudur, Third SOSAA Congress of the Society for South Asian Archaeology, held in University of Kelaniya, Sri-Lanka, 20 – 22 August 2010
‘Mammayee Festival in the Northern Telengana Region: Insights of a fading tradition’, T. Neogi, S. Srinivasan, S. Ranganathan, G. Juleff, B. Gilmour, J. Sriperumbudur, Third SOSAA Congress of the Society for South Asian Archaeology, held in University of Kelaniya, Sri-Lanka, 20 – 22 August 2010.

Outreach (Exhibitions, documentary films, performances etc)

Co-curation of exhibition of Indian Metal Crafts for ICOM-Metals 2016 Conference at IGNCA, New Delhi, 26^th-30^th Sept 2016
Invitation to speak/performance for TEDX-PES (2016) Archaeotechnology and dance, link of Prof Sharada Srinivasan’s visits and studies related to sites such as Sanganakallu and Hirebenkal with resonant properties and lithophones https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HChbigVKc-s
TEDX talk/performance 2015 on Art and Science of Chola bronzes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfKibs7dhWk
Nearing completion of two documentaries commissioned by IGNCA, New Delhi on Vishwakarma communities of metal workers (wootz steel makers and high-tin bronze workers)
Interview on Sankara TV (Tamil/Kannada) aired on Sivaratri day, March 2014, on the Nataraja bronze and art-science-dance perspectives
Recordings of Hampi ‘musical’ pillars made by Sharada used in BBC Radio 4 programme by Prof David Hendey of University of Sussex in ‘Noise: A human history’, http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01rlmq0/Noise_A_Human_History_Heavenly_Sounds/
Co-curator of Exhibition on ‘Materials Heritage’, IISc Open Day, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, March 2012-2014, with screening of video with Srinivasan’s commentaries on high-tin bronze metal mirror making at Aranmula
Photo-montage exhibition ‘Cosmic Dance of Siva: art, science, dance interfaces in the Nataraja bronzes’ at Nehru Centre, London, (Aug 2011), Cite De L’Espace, Toulouse, Oct. 2009, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Alliance Francaise, Bangalore, 2009, 2008.
Commentaries for documentaries on Aranmula high-tin bronze mirror making, and ‘Image Casting in Swamimalai’ made by Medieval Centre, Denmark and interviews on Chola bronzes, Swamimalai bronze casting and the making of stone monolithic shrine of Ellora for BenoyBehl’s series on ‘Sculptures of India’ featured on Doordarshan, Indian Television

Selected write-ups/interviews and reviews

Roli Mahajan and Sharada Srinivasan, "Art & Technology: Indian Digital Heritage | Digital Hampi Project", Culture360 Magazine, 18 May 2020.
Press write-up on lecture on Nilgiris material culture May 2019. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/metallurgy-skills-of-ancient-nilgiris-yet-to-be-showcased/articleshow/69121130.cms
Press write-ups and interviews on receipt of Padmashri award 2019
https://www.asianage.com/age-on-sunday/100319/of-such-eloquent-metal.html
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2019/jan/26/meet-the-fantastic-5-padma-shri-awardees-from-state-1930211.html
https://www.deccanherald.com/looking-and-down-answers-716212.html
https://researchmatters.in/news/two-bengaluru-scientists-shine-list-2019-padma-awardees
Write-up on book Digital Hampi, co-edited by Prof Sharada with interview, The Hindu, 2018. https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/hampis-digital-revamp/article23455397.ece?fbclid=IwAR24_1f-X9y5B2v4RHnA9VBRkOLoLgwidn1-DGSiy-6fIE7e7pIpfBE3N-Y
Interview on status of conservation of bronze icons in temple collections etc https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/safe-houses-slow-death-for-states-temple-treasures/articleshow/67151979.cms
Editorial mention: Materials and Manufacturing Processes, Ancient Metallurgy, 7-8, 2017, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10426914.2017.1303710
Interview in The Hindu, Sept 16^th, 2017, on the paper presented 'Ramayana in Chola and Vijayanagara bronzes' presented at the major international conference on ''Connecting Cultures: Ramayana Retellings in south India and southeast Asia'', (Sept 14th-15th 2017) held at Reva Universityhttp://www.thehindu.com/life- and-style/history-through-a- different-lens/ article19698761.ece
Interview in Crucible, Spring 2016, Newsletter of Historical Metallurgy Society, London http://hist-met.org/images/HMS_Crucible_Spring_2016_.pdf
Research Matters extensively cites Prof Sharada Srinivasan on ‘The never ending story of bronze artifacts from south India’ https://researchmatters.in/article/never-ending-story-bronze-artifacts-south-india
Interview in The Hindu, Wednesday August 3^rd, 2016, Metroplus , on authentication of art, http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/picture-this-copy-that/article8934623.ece
Interview on receipt of Dr. Kalpana Chawla Young Woman Scientist Award, Times of India, Jan 2013, ‘We need to learn from craftsmen: scientist Sharada Srinivasan’ http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-26/bangalore/36563235_1_heritaage-sites-museum-employees-scientific-community
Economic Times, Mumbai coverage of talk at Asiatic Society Mumbai, 2012http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-02-22/news/31087185_1_reflection-mirror-making-maths
Rajan Gurukkal, Review in The Hindu, Feb, 20, 2012, of book and article by Sharada in ‘Science and metal technology of Harappans’, Ed D.P. Sharma, Kaveri Books: “Sharada Srinivasan's study of sophisticated high-tin bronze-crafts points to the existence of a developed copper bronze alloying technology in the ancient Indian metallurgical tradition” http://www.thehindu.com/arts/books/article2913312.ece
Telegraph newspaper 2011 Dec by Jayan on UKIERI-I project on Telangana iron and steelhttp://telegraphindia.com/1111121/jsp/knowhow/story_14777295.jsp
Interview, PlanètCité, La Lettred’information de la Cité de L’Espace, Sept. 2010, No. 45. (Newsletter of science museum of Space City, Toulouse, France)
‘Search for Tipu Sultan’s metal’, BhargaviKerur, DNA newspaper, April 3, 2010
Reviews of first-time, intercontinental, internet-streamed and interactive simultaneous dance across India and Europe, ‘Danse e-Toile: Nataraja et le Cosmos’ featuring Dr. Sharada in duet performance Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore with live-streamed image of dancer in Cité de l’Espace, Toulouse; featured for Art-Science Festival, La Novela, Toulouse for International Year of Astronomy 2009 on Oct 17^th 2009 and live worldwide webcast on X-Reseau.
Featured on prestigious website of Communications of the ACM: http://cacm.acm.org/opinion/interviews/54307-breaking-the-art-science-divide/fulltext
Sunday Review, The Hindu, Dec 13, 2009, ‘Sharada has been breaking art-science boundaries to show that there is art in science and vice-versa’, ‘Breaking art-science divide’, ArunaChandaraju
‘Amazing synthesis of art, science and advanced technology’ Arunachandara Raju, in ‘Cosmic ball’, The Week, Nov 8^th 2009.
Review of photo-montage exhibition, “Cosmic Dance of Siva: art-science-dance perspectives on the Nataraja bronze’, La Lettre, Alliance Française Newsletter, Oct. 2008, p. 7, Tim Poston: ‘The photo-exhibition conveyed careful scientific reasoning about the metal of Chola bronzes fused with a vivid sense of the artisans and poems behind them, and even-surprisingly but plausibly-the astronomy. ‘Art history’ rarely presents this weave of sculptural aesthetics, songs and ritual enfolding the artisans and their physical techniques with the sense of the metallurgical realities they worked with.’
Write-up by Jon Stock in ‘The Week’ of Dr. Sharada Srinivasan’s lecture-event at Royal Asiatic Society, 1 April 2007: ‘For the first time, South Asian metal artefacts were subjected by Srinivasan to trace element and lead isotope analysis to scientifically date different styles of icons to specific periods In an article in THE WEEK in 2003, Sharada revealed that the metal icon of Nataraja, dancing with his leg extended, had already emerged in the Pallava period’.
Review of ‘India’s Legendary Wootz Steel’ by Sharada Srinivasan and S. Ranganathan, in Current Science, Vol 90, No. 4. 25, Feb 2006, 589, A.V. Balasubramanium: ‘The book deserves a place in every collection of history of metallurgy and in the library of anyone who is interested in the history of science and technology in India’
Historical Metallurgy Society (HMS) Journal 39(2), 2005, p. 124. Paul Craddock ‘This is an …engaging study of a material with a fascinating metallurgy and history… generally well produced...lively and informative narrative.’
New Indian Express Sunday, August 31, 2005, Made in India by Nanditha Krishnan: ‘This book is a fascinating combination of history and technology, and it is supplemented by colourful paintings recreating some of the scenes where wootz was used. It is a trailblazer in popular archaeo-metallurgy, a new science in this country.’

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Sharada Srinivasan

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