Journey of a Naturalist- An Overview by Dr R. Bhanumathi
About the Session:
Experiences of a woman metamorphosing into an ardent naturalist covering different milestones from
mid-twenties to present life. A quick recap of each milestone, its aspirations and challenges both on the
personal and professional front.
Key takeaways:
Inspiration from the life of a woman balancing two passions with equal interest and applications and gaining knowledge, skill, wisdom and understanding as she progresses in life.
About the Speaker:
Naturalist, Puppeteer and Author:
Dr Bhanumathi's experience is too vast and varied to list here as she has spent a lifetime pursuing her many passions and interests. A snippet of her profile is shared here:
Education:
She has formal and informal teaching experience with the latter consisting of 40 years of interaction with rural and urban school children, school-teachers, college teachers, NGO field staff imparting Environment Education concepts, issues as well as training programmes.
Conservation Projects:
* Biodiversity hot spots conservation project in the Western Ghats. (1995-96); * Eco-restoration of Pulicat lake project. (1996-98); * Documentation of World Bank aided eco-development project at Kalakkad – Mundunthurai Tiger reserve. (2000-2001); * Sea turtle conservation project (1984-86); *Afforestation programmes in the Adyar Estuary, Chennai, Thirumalaivaiyavour, Chengalpet, St.Thomas Mount, Chennai, Madhavaram/Manali Jheels, Chennai etc. (1987-2001)
Puppetry:
Conducting training workshops on puppetry for the last 40 years for various rural and urban target groups like school- teachers, school students, college students and research scholars, field workers from NGOs, school dropouts and unemployed youth etc.
As a founder trustee started Pavai Centre for Puppetry, dedicated to the art of puppetry and its use in communication. The Centre was launched in April 2005 and since then conducted many workshops, exhibitions, sessions, talks, film shows etc. for school students, teachers, NGO workers, and the general public. Started an ongoing school project ‘Puppet talk show’ in August 2005 to create awareness about nature with support from Madras Naturalist Society, Chennai.
Books:
A field guidebook on Butterflies in Tamil (Arimugak kaiyedu- Vannathuppoochigal), 2015
Co-authored a field guidebook on Dragonflies & Damselflies (Arimugak kaiyedu-Thattangal oositattangal), 2016
Paper Puppets Kagidha paavaigal (Bilingual) A book on making Puppets 2018
A field guidebook on Butterflies in Tamil (Arimugak kaiyedu- Vannathuppoochigal), 2nd edition 2025
For Agastya International Foundation
*`Butterflies of Agastya 2019
* Moths of Agastya 2025
Her Ph D, from Gandhigram Rural University, 2004 is on - A Study on the status of traditional shadow puppetry and puppeteers of South India.