Art and Technology of Mirrors in South Indian Antiquity: Insights from a metal mirror craft survival in Kerala
October 3, 12:00 PM
206 Ingraham Hall
Presentation Description
Photo: Prof. Srinivasan in a mirror making workshop
Mirrors have long held a fascination in antiquity, not only for personal adornment but also with magico-religious significance in various parts of the world including India. Early examples of what may be mirrors of copper-alloy are known from Harappan contexts. The darpanika or maiden gazing into the mirror is a prominent sculptural motif in Indian art. Although metal mirror making practices have died out in most of the world, a rare craft survival is found in Aranmula in Kerala. Through archaeometallurgical and ethnoarchaeological investigations by the researcher it is shown that these mirrors were made by skillfully isolating and exploiting the properties of a highly specular high-tin bronze alloy to get the best possible mirror reflectance. The broader significance of mirrors in South Indian ritual and iconography is touched upon as well as in dance traditions such as in the Bharata Natyam repertoire (drawn from the traditional Sadir dance of Tamil Nadu) which retains connections to temple sculptures. The local significance of the Kannadi or mirror in Kerala in terms of ritual significance as an auspicious symbol for marriage rituals, goddess worship and other facets are also touched upon.
About the Speaker
Dr. Sharada Srinivasan, a distinguished Professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies in Bangalore, has made groundbreaking contributions to the scientific exploration of art, archaeology, and archaeo-metallurgy. Her work has earned her fellowship in the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and the World Academy of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Srinivasan’s exceptional research has been recognized through numerous prestigious awards, including the Homi Bhabha Fellowship, the UKEIRI (UK-India Education and Research Initiative) award, the Dr. Kalpana Chawla Young Women Scientist Award in 2011, the Indian Institute of Metals Certificate of Excellence in 2007, the Materials Research Society of India Medal in 2006, the Malti B. Nagar Ethnoarchaeology Award in 2005, and the DST-SERC Young Scientist Fellowship.
Beyond her scholarly achievements, Dr. Srinivasan is also an accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer. She has delivered many lecture-demonstrations that weave together artistic and scientific insights, such as her renowned presentations on the Natraja Bronze. In recognition of her profound contributions to the field, she was honored with the Padma Shri in 2019.