INDUS TO NOYYAL - LESSONS ON WATER MANAGEMENT
ILS Coimbatore
Pon Rathnavel
Mr.C.R.Elangovan, reputed historian and researcher presented a wonderful lecture titled "INDUS TO NOYYAL - NEER INDRI AMAYATHU UZHAGU" as a part of Session 57, Proceedings 35 of Institute of Liberal Studies, (ILS) Coimbatore. The lecture was delivered from 5 PM to 6 PM on Sunday, 21 December 2025 at Thulasi Pharmacy, RS Puram, Coimbatore.
Mr.Prasath, Director, ILS Coimbatore welcomed the gathering. The minute a member programme of ILS took place where 15 members shared their wisdom in a minute. Following the minute a member programme, Mr.C.R.Elangovan delivered the lecture to the audience comprising members of Institute of Liberal Studies and Rotaract Club of GCT Coimbatore. Mr.Sundhareswaran, Patron, ILS Coimbatore and Rtr.Gokul of Rotaract Club of GCT Coimbatore honoured the guest with a memento. Mr.Muruganathan, EC Member, ILS Coimbatore delivered the Vote of Thanks.
Mr Elangovan started his lecture by emphasising the importance of water quoting from Thirukkural's Neerindri amayathu Uzhaghu and to CV Raman's essay "Water is Elixir of Life". He sought to understand the dynamics between a civilisation's urbanisation and water resources. With historical evidences, he traced the water dynamics of ancient civilisations namely Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus Valley and China. He shared extensive exclusive information on water management in Indus Valley civilisation evidences through his visits to Lothal and Dholavira. He then spoke about Noyyal Civilisation and from historical evidences, he deciphered our understanding of our water dynamics from studies at Kodumanal and his visits across the full Noyyal stretch. It is to be noted that he had documented it all in his book on Noyyal river titled "Nathiyin Pizhaiandru". He finally asked an uncomfortable question on the relationship between our urbanisation and water resources and concluded the lecture with a statement in form of question "Noyyal - Exist or Extinct?". The lecture was well received with the audience who shared their perspectives and apprehensions in an half an hour question answer session.
