Date:03/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/01/03/stories/2006010301850500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Dharam Singh promises help for research on ancient Karnataka

Staff Reporter

Address on the rich past of the State impresses Chief Minister

LENDING AN EAR: The swamiji of Sripadaraja Mutt having a word with Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh at a national seminar on `Materials science and metallurgy in ancient Indian literature' in Bangalore on Monday. — Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

BANGALORE: Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh has added one more agenda to the grand celebration of Suvarna Karnataka, the golden jubilee of the formation of the State: he has promised help to research initiatives that celebrate the Karnataka of ancient times.

Mr. Singh, who inaugurated the national seminar on "Materials science and metallurgy in ancient Indian literature," organised by the Karnataka Historical Research Society here on Monday, was enthralled listening to the keynote address by eminent metallurgy scholar K.I. Vasu, who spoke of ancient times when Karnataka supplied copper and other metals to distant civilisations, and even in the Mahabharata times.

Texts and literature of ancient times make references to metallurgy as far back as in 8000 BC.

Prof. Vasu said even the "Arthashastra" had several references to metallurgy, and in fact, ancient India which was known to have turned every kind of inquiry or quest for knowledge into a science or "shastra", is the only one to have the study of metallurgy in chemistry.

Admission

Mr. Singh listened attentively, and when his turn came to speak, admitted: "frankly, I didn't know what this programme was about, and looked at the invitation only on my way here. But I am glad I made it here, and now you have given me an idea."

Mr. Singh said had he known about the seminar, and all the scholars and eminent people associated with the studies of ancient India, he would have invited them to last month's meeting with eminent people in all fields where the blueprint for the celebration of Suvarna Karnataka was drawn up.

"I was thinking 50 years of Karnataka is awesome, but you have made me realise that there is more," he said, and declared an open house for such initiatives that bring out Karnataka's great past. "From now on, don't hesitate to come to me for any help or facilitation that you may require for your research and other activities," Mr. Singh told the gathering.

Another eminent metallurgist and Sanskrit scholar C.R. Vijayasimhachar said institutions like the Indian Institute of Science and the IITs were aware of the fact that much of modern metallurgy had more than an echo in our ancient past. India was exporting iron ore, cast iron, wrought iron and even steel to Europe. In 8000 BC, India had knowledge of non-ferrous technology and was making alloys such as brass, apart from widespread use of gold and other precious metals.

He said the Government must extend help and promote research to retrieve the lost knowledge.