Why Bengaluru’s Swaminathan Natarajan has a passion for heritage conservation

Hero stones or veeragallus house a treasure trove of historical information, if only we knew where to look

Do ancient pillars, milestones and inscriptions fascinate you as do statues and monuments? Though they are often overlooked, these smaller fragments from historic eras are also storehouses of information.

It is often said that a concerted effort to preserve and protect our heritage is imperative in order to understand our historical and cultural legacy. Well, this is a philosophy, Bengaluru-based Swaminathan Natarajan truly believes in. An IT professional with a profound passion for heritage photography, conservation and awareness, Swaminathan also holds a Master’s degree in Ancient History and Archaeology which he pursued out of a sheer love for history.

“My commitment to heritage conservation is driven by a strong sense of social responsibility and a steadfast belief in fulfilling my constitutional duty to protect and preserve our historical legacy.” says Swaminathan.

Swaminathan’s love for history and heritage was instilled at an early age by his mother. “My late mother, a history graduate, nurtured in me a love for the past through her stories and insights. Her deep knowledge of history and her ability to make it relevant and relatable ignited my imagination and fostered a sense of curiosity,” says the 44-year-old, adding that over time this sense of wonder grew into a passion to which he has dedicated most of his free time.

Swaminathan is an avid reader and enjoys researching records, reports and journals apart from history books — a trait which has helped him explore places that are relatively unknown. “The work of historian and archaeologist BL Rice has inspired me tremendously. Social media also plays a significant role and helps me connect with experts in the field, many of whom have become mentors, guiding and supporting my efforts,” he adds.

Swaminathan firmly believes that safeguarding our heritage is a collective responsibility and results can be achieved only when local communities, authorities and individuals collaborate.

Swaminathan is deeply interested in veeragallus or hero stones. “By protecting veeragallus, we safeguard history, nurture cultural pride and fulfil our responsibility as custodians of heritage. These silent sentinels of sacrifice deserve the dignity and reverence they symbolise as they can inspire future generations to uphold values of bravery, loyalty and service,” he says.