Dr Nanditha Krishna is proof that tradition can be the most radical idea of our times. An environmentalist, historian, and writer based in Chennai, she has spent decades showing us how India’s ancient wisdom holds answers to modern crises. As President of the CP Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation, she has championed causes ranging from heritage conservation and tribal art revival to environmental education and sustainable living. She has been honoured with the Nari Shakti Award by the Government of India. In a world grappling with climate change and cultural disconnection, she continues to inspire a new generation to look at heritage not as something locked in the past, but as a blueprint to a sustainable future.
Can you tell us what sparked your interest in heritage and environmental conservation?
My interest in heritage started from my frequent travels with my parents at a young age. They took me all over the country by car, which made it possible for me to see several temples, even small and unknown temples. It sparked a passion in me for India’s heritage and culture, particularly in the arts. Environmental conservation was instilled by my great-grandfather, Sir CP Ramaswami Aiyar, with whom I used to spend my summer holidays. He would take me to forests and show me how to recognise poisonous berries and leaves. Also, we lived in a house with a huge forest around us in the heart of Madras, and my family was always particular about protecting greenery. My grandfather, CR Pattabhiraman never allowed a single tree to be cut. My background in Indian Culture and History is the basis of all my research work and I search for both natural and created beauty in whatever I do.
What do you consider the most significant project you've worked on in terms of restoration of heritage sites?
I worked on more than one significant restoration project. Angkor Wat in Cambodia, which is in the greatest temple in the world, was very inspiring. Varahishwarar Temple in my village in Damal was destroyed a few centuries earlier, and the broken stones were lying around. I, along with my colleagues at the CP Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation, physically put them together and restored the temple. It is now a temple under worship. My family has a 400-plus-year-old house in Kanchipuram. It was badly damaged and should have been pulled down, as were all the surrounding houses on that road. However, I restored it and today it functions as the Shakunthala Jagannathan Museum of Folk Art in Kanchipuram.
What were some of the lesser-known challenges involved in heritage conservation, especially in active temple towns?
The main problem in heritage conservation is the high costs involved. In the past, they used materials like teak wood or rosewood. These are extremely expensive today. Also, granite pillars are very expensive. So cost is a major challenge. Secondly, most people think in terms of money. They prefer to pull down the heritage building and put up a multi-storeyed building instead of maintaining the old building. It is very sad to see beautiful old houses coming down, or even burnt, as in the case of Moore Market and Spencer's Building, which had so many happy memories for me.
How do you view the role of communities in preserving local heritage and traditions? How can we balance urban development with the need to protect our historical spaces?
I am afraid that communities are NOT interested in preserving local heritage. While traditions are maintained because of their involvement with the religion, very few people care about heritage in the form of buildings, sculpture and paintings. Unless the government provides an impetus to balance urban development, people can do nothing. For example, the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is being constructed under our office, which is a 180-year-old historical building. This has resulted in the old wooden pillars getting cracked and even broken. Although I wrote to them several times and showed them the broken pillars, they did not care. In our case, we made new pillars and managed to preserve the old building. Most people cannot afford to do that.
You've been a vocal proponent of sacred groves and their ecological significance. Could you explain their relevance in today's climate crisis situation?
Sacred groves are small packets of local biodiversity, which are essential for soil health, groundwater level, and local flora and fauna. As forests are destroyed for development, sacred groves have become the last remnants of greenery to combat global warming and the climate crisis. They are an excellent example of an ancient practice of giving sanctity to local forests in order to protect them from destruction. This is the most sustainable solution to our ecological problems.
As someone who has actively surveyed and documented ecological heritage, what is your take on introducing environmental education in schools?
Environmental education is essential in schools, which is why I founded the CPR Environmental Education Centre in 1989. Young people who live in multi-storeyed buildings hardly relate to nature. Even though awareness about the importance of nature should come naturally to them, we have no choice, given the present circumstances.
You've authored several non-fiction books. What role does writing play in your advocacy, and how do you choose your topics?
I choose my subject when I am inspired by a topic. It so happened that those who read my books have taken it further and tried to implement some of the ideas. However, I have never written non-fiction books as advocacy. Only the textbooks that I have written are advocacies.
You've received several awards, such as the Nari Shakti Puruskar and the Dr MS Swaminathan Award. How does it feel to be recognised, and which of these has had the most impact on how your work is perceived and supported?
I feel very honoured to be recognised, but the awards did not create any specific impact on my work. I work with or without the awards.
Can you share any upcoming projects or initiatives that are in the pipeline?
I have just set up the AR Jagannathan Children’s Theatre in my father's name, in a geodesic dome in Chennai. I have committed to writing a few books, which I am trying hard to complete!