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Mr. Michel Danino gave three lectures
on Indian History:
1. Glimpses of the Indus-Sarasvati Civilization: a look at the brilliant
achievements of India's earliest civilization, 19th February
2. Harappan-Gangetic Continuity: how the Harappan legacy sowed the seeds
for India's classical civilization, 20th February
3. Early landmarks of science and technology in India: rediscovering
the Indian scientific temper, 20th February
Michel Danino participated in the English translation and publication of Mother's Agenda (13 volumes, Mother's record of her yoga in the depths of the body consciousness) and several books by Satprem (Mother's confidant and recipient of Mother's Agenda). Michel Danino also edited, among other titles, India's Rebirth (a selection from Sri Aurobindo's works about India, available online; first published in 1993, now in its 3rd edition, translated into nine Indian languages) and India the Mother (a selection from Mother's words, 1998).
Studying India's culture and ancient history in the light of both Sri Aurobindo's pioneering work and archaeological research, in 1996 Michel Danino authored The Invasion That Never Was, a brief study of the Aryan invasion theory. Intended primarily for the educated non-specialist Indian public, the book has also been well received in scholarly circles. A second, extensively revised and enlarged edition was brought out in 2000.
Over the last few years, Michel Danino has given lectures at various official, academic and cultural forums on issues confronting Indian culture and civilization in today's world; some of them have been published under the titles Sri Aurobindo and Indian Civilization (1999), The Indian Mind Then and Now (2000), Is Indian Culture Obsolete? (2000) and Kali Yuga or the Age of Confusion (2001). Delving into the roots of Indian civilization, Michel Danino has argued that its essential values remain indispensable in today's India - and in fact for all humanity in this critical phase of global deculturization and dehumanization.
Michel Danino's other fields of activity include Nature conservation; his action for the preservation of an important pocket of native tropical rainforest in the Nilgiris led to the creation of Tamil Nadu's first "watchdog" committee in which concerned citizens actively collaborated with both the Forest Department and local villagers in conservation work, also involving local teachers and hundreds of students.
Glimpses of Indus-Sarasvati Civilization:
Most of us have heard of ancient Indus valley civilization but very few
of us are aware that it is now referred to as Indus-Sarasvati civilization
with the vast geographical expanse. On February 19, noted historian and
writer, Sri Michel Danino delivered two insightful lectures revealing
some of the most intriguing and astounding aspects of Indus-Sarasvati
civilization and its continuity with Gangetic civilization. Also, the
question that has perplexed Indian historians for long as to whether there
was any Aryan invasion was addressed.
Initially this civilization was named after river Indus as the first major
settlements, Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, were found along that river and
its tributary, the Ravi. However, explorations on both sides of Indo-Pakistan
border have revealed hundreds of Harappan sites along the dry bed of a
huge river in Ghaggar-Hakra valley. This lost river has been recognized
as Sarasvati which also finds its mention in Rig-Veda. Michel also showed
a satellite image revealing the course of Sarasvati. Besides Harappa and
Mohenjo-daro, Lothal (Gujarat), Kalibangan (Rajasthan), Mehrgarh and Dholavira
(Gujarat) are some of the other interesting and important Harappan sites.
He showcased several slides revealing the marvels of architecture, arts
and crafts, trade, agriculture and technology of the Harappans. One wonders
that this so-called ancient civilization has so much to teach to our modern
civilization.
Michel continued enthralling the audience with his revelations. The lecture
hall was packed to its full capacity; rather some could be seen sitting
on stairs. He highlighted some facts positing the 'Indianness' of this
civilization like the absence of royal iconography, decentralization,
etc.
The sudden disappearance of the Indus-Sarasvati civilization is still
an enigma and remains a subject of debate. Some archeologists attribute
it to the Aryan invasions while some think it could have been because
of droughts or economic collapse. This has also raised a big question
over the relationship of Indus-Sarasvati civilization with the later Indian
civilization.
Harappan-Gangetic Continuity:
Continuing with his second lecture on 'Continuity of Harappan-Gangetic
civilization', he expounded how Harappans sowed seeds for India's classical
civilization falsifying the theory of Aryan invasion. Most of us were
surprised to learn that the Aryan invasion theory is no longer accepted
due to lack of archeological evidence. The elements of Harappan life were
passed over to Gangetic civilization via river Sarasvati. He put forth
several archeological findings that suggest toward the Harappan-Gangetic
continuity like the Indus seal with a 3-faced god in yogic posture, a
broken seal depicting trishul, some figurines in asanas, a linga found
in Kalibangan, etc.
After the lectures everyone was left craving for more. Well, it is the
power of knowledge that attracts people. All in all, these lectures were
a great success with students and faculty.
Early Landmarks of Science and Technology in India: Rediscovering Indian Scientific Temper:
For long enough people have assumed that there wasn't any scientific
temper existing in ancient India. And the temper that evolved was borrowed
from west. But on 20th February, this assumption was proved erroneous
by Sri Michel Danino, a well known historian and an educator, within the
confines of a jam packed lecture hall. The facts substantiated with examples
which were shared in the lecture falsified the myth surrounding the reality
and enlightened many minds thereby acting as an eye opener.
Michel Danino said, 'Contrary to the beliefs of many, there wasn't any
dearth of exploration of scientific roots and evolution of scientific
ideas in ancient India. Rather, there was a continuous dialoguing among
the scientists of that time. Like Aryabhata's insightful concepts of astronomy
were harshly criticized by yet another great scientist of Siddhantic era,
Brahmbhat'. He highlighted the achievements of many great savants like
Aryabhata, Brahmagupta, Bhaskara II, Mahavira and Nilakantha. Starting
from Harappan times to Kerala school of Mathematics several remarkable
advances made by ancient and medieval India in fields of astronomy, mathematics
and science were unraveled. In corroboration ample archeological evidence
was put forth.
Indeed it was India's knowledge in mathematics and astronomy that reached
Europe through Arabs and helped in their progress. Regrettably, most young
Indians are unaware of this important aspect of Indian heritage. However,
the most shocking revelation was that only 7% of the 12, 244 science manuscripts
that have been found in the 400 repositories of Kerala and Tamil Nadu
are available in print. Science historians do not know anything about
the rest 93%.
This lecture conveyed a very strong message that Indian scientific minds
need to rediscover the lost scientific roots and find solutions to several
unresolved riddles in various fields. Most of us who attended this insightful
lecture would surely agree with Michel that 'History of Science' must
be offered as a separate discipline in mainstream education in India as
it is offered in west.