The Hindu Group launches documentary filmmaker Krishnaswamy’s book

S. Krishnaswamy's book explores ancient India's influence in Southeast Asia, launched by The Hindu Group of Publications.

Acclaimed documentary and television filmmaker S. Krishnaswamy’s book Voyages Retraced: India’s Influence in East Asia, brought out by The Hindu Group of Publications, was launched in Chennai on Friday (February 7, 2025).

The book gives an insight into ancient India’s impact on southeast Asian countries, and a phase in history when Indian sailors travelled to countries such as Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand, and became conduits for spreading Indian culture, architecture and fine arts to these countries over centuries. It is a narrative of the author’s travels between 2005 and 2010.

Nirmala Lakshman, Chairperson, The Hindu Group Publishing Private Limited (THGPPL), and N. Ram, Director THGPPL, launched the book. Author and chairman of Krishnaswamy Associates, Krishnaswamy, and research collaborator Mohana Krishnaswamy received a copy of the book.

Tracing Mr. Krishnaswamy’s journey as a documentary filmmaker, Mr. Ram said he co-authored the book Indian film with his professor at Columbia University, Erik Barnouw. While his father and director K. Subrahmanyam was a iconic figure in Tamil cinema, he embarked on a path with purposeful message, and founded Krishnaswamy Associates to make non-fiction films.

Also read: Krishnaswamy Associates celebrate diamond jubilee

Besides his “powerful film” Indus Valley to Indira Gandhi, he produced films on a variety of themes, including on complex problems of Sri Lanka and Punjab, and forgotten freedom fighters, Mr. Ram said. “The book reflects the author and filmmaker’s writerly skills, and the event is a celebration of his body of works, he said.

Earlier, Suresh Nambath, Editor, The Hindu, said it was a compelling compilation on southeast Asian countries with photographs by cinematographer Madhu Ambat.