Celebrating 100 YEARS AND BEYOND
The Life of the LATE MR. M.A. PARTHA SARATHY
"Sir Mandayam Anandampillai Partha Sarathy (1.8.1923 - 5.1.2013) was fondly known to many as "Partha". A keen environmentalist and conservationist Mr. Parthasarathy was known for his contribution to nature and conservation during his chairmanship of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and also as a trustee for two decades of the South India office of WWF.
He was the son of the late Mr. M.A. Sreenivasan, who served as a Minister in the Princely State of Mysore and was also the Dewan of Gwalior; and the late Smt Singamma Sreenivasan.
Mr. Partha Sarathy is famed worldwide for his interest in film making, conservation and nature films. He studied M.Sc. in the USA and collaborated with the famous documentarist Robert Flaherty (1884-1951), Oscar-winning producer-director Robert Wise, and Jean Renoir "The River" (1951) for which Partha composed the score and gave technical advice). Further film experience was gained in the UK, France, Sweden, Denmark, and Japan, as well as at the famous Gemini Studios - Madras which Partha headed on his return to India in 1956 and produced many feature films and documentaries.
Mr. Partha Sarathy chaired many International Nature Film and Television Festivals Organisation, as well as being being on the Jury (and also presenter of his own Elephant award) at Festivals in Europe, the USA (Jackson Hole), Canada, India, Japan, China, Venezuela, and Norway. He has headed juries at the Sondrio (Italy) International Festival of Documentary Films on Parks, and the "Africa Wild" Film Festival organised by the INFTFO at the 7th World Wilderness Congress.
A lifelong naturalist, Partha was a Trustee of WWF - India , which he helped found, a Board Member of the WILD Foundation and Chair of the World Wilderness Trust – Boulder Colarado. He was also the Chair of the IUCN's Education Commission and was on its first Task Force on the Asian elephant.
He has received several awards and citations – from the International Nature Film and Television Festivals Organisation, and also the reputed r UNEP's Global 500 Award, which he received in 1992. Partha's role as founder of the "Tree Brigade" which motivated Indian people to plant and protect trees. He was also a prolific writer and as a radio broadcaster. Partha's life include his love for music, playing the sitar, painting and doodling and spending time with his family.
Mr. Partha Sarathy was member of the high power committee set up by the Karnataka State Government in 1986 on the “Beautification of Bangalore”. He was also the former chairman of Bangalore Urban Arts Commission when he made efforts to save and maintain Bangalore’s historic monuments and structure in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was also involved in the conservation of the Mayo Hall and the Attara Kacheri building which now houses the High Court of Karnataka.
Some of the positions he held were
- Trustee Emeritus – WWF - INDIA
-
Chairman Emeritus
- IUCN - Commission on Education and Communication, Switzerland
- World Wilderness Trust
- World Environmental Education Union, Switzerland
- Bangalore Urban Art Commission, Govt. of Karnataka
Sir M.A. Partha Sarathy
(A beautiful poem penned by his loyal personal assistant Mr. Premkumar in 2013)
No more NOT, he is, with us Embedded in our hearts Ingrained in our thoughts Embodied in our actions Living forever and ever in our midst Every day, every night, and every minute
He was, for many, MAP – an assured route to success and glory; Encapsulation of direction For some, Partha, Goliath of Maha Bharatha – the relentless victor
An optimist to the core; achiever to the hilt An inspirational figure, igniting the dreams An incessant guide; orator, dignity personified An eternal role model with an indomitable will An example to emulate; undoubtedly a torchbearer
Nature was his obsession; dear to his heart Walked in tune with the rhythm of life Mastered the nuances of Nature Film Festivals Art Wildlife was his passion; conviction fashion Lavished unbridled appreciation giving wings to soar high and high Showered benevolence engendering exhilaration of success Ecstatic feelings hard to forget; ennobling moments precious to relish
Nourished intelligence entrenching roots of confidence Work was a pleasure; not at all a duty, devoid of dissidence Office adorned with intellectuals, wizards, stalwarts and icons A pious temple, indeed sacrosanct
A man of many embellished hats Chairperson of Commissions and Conferences Distinguished environmentalist; prolific writer, voracious reader Grandiose plans aplenty for the Bangalore Urban Art Memories of his association refuse to die Fragrances of his advice cease to fade Virtues bequeathed fail to jettison
MA Partha Sarathy’s Vision and
Mandate
For Sustainable Wildlife Conservation
The inspiration - Partha s original painting done in 1961.
The mission of this mandate was that it must aim to accomplish this goal over time in a sustainable balanced manner . The platform must envisage a variety of activities under key areas such as :
- Protection of Bio-Diversity.
- Environmental Education.
- Impact of Population on Sustainability of Development Action.
- Enabling And Supporting Environmental Awareness and Excellence among the major users of Environment and Natural Resource, namely, the business community.
- Collection, Collation and Reintroduction of Traditional Knowledge and Practices into Conservation Action, involving Indigenous and Special Interest Groups in Conservation Action
- Sensitizing and Assisting the Weaker Sections of Society on Human Rights Issues.
- Exploring the rapidly growing and Wide-Ranging Communication and Media options available for involving people In the Movement towards environmentally sound Sustainable Development.
- Reintroducing of the Gandhian Value of Ahimsa into Nature Conservation,
- Introducing Great Values available From many present earlier and amidst us - Great Thinkers In Science, Art, Philosophy etc and research.
- Exploring avenues in Art, Music, Theater , etc, as a means of bringing about awareness of Environmental Issues.
- Reintroducing awareness of the relationship between Spirituality and Sustainability through study and dissemination of the contributions of leaders from around the world.
And with this platform “ 100 years and Beyond” our goal is to work together and collectively build a better sustainable future for ourselves and future generations.
Celebrating Aug 1st 2023
100 YEARS AND BEYOND
of
The Late M A Partha
Sarathy’s
True Spirit
Of
Wildlife Conservation
M.A. Partha Sarathy was indeed way ahead of his times in evangelizing environmental conservation and the protection and preservation of our nature for mankind.
Partha , as he was fondly known in his like minded fraternity , was keen to established , in his own words , “a platform with a mandate to address a wide variety of issues concerning the protection and preservation of wild nature for the benefit of mankind, while re-invoking some of the great traditional values mankind has inherited, which are relevant and useful to today's need of a peaceful and prosperous life on earth for all”.
The importance of a 2 way science - the importance of integrating the traditional (nature-based) and modern science to bring about the best long term sustainable solutions to conservation and sustainable development was a key agenda for Partha, which he worked nationally and around the globe 🡪 Integrating Traditional, nature-based knowledge with Contemporary Science to create a ‘True Spirit in Conservation’
100 years and Beyond is an endeavour to celebrate , preserve and pass on Partha Sarathy’s legacy and work in conservation to future generations, blending in the modern and tradition for a sustainable and balanced life for both nature and man .
We commence this platform as a tribute in building up
the foundation
of
Partha’s vision, and to celebrate Partha’s 100th birth
anniversary.
An Extraordinary Life: A Gallery of
Achievements -
Celebrating the Remarkable Journey of
a Visionary.
