In the heart of Karnataka’s Narsipur Taluk lives a farmer whose journey is quietly rewriting the story of Indian agriculture. S.R. Srinivasamurthy is not just a cultivator of crops - he’s a cultivator of culture, memory, and resilience. While the world moved toward genetically uniform, high-yielding rice varieties, Srinivasamurthy chose a different path - one that led him deep into the forgotten fields of India, in search of what was almost lost: our indigenous rice heritage.

What began as curiosity turned into a national mission. Alarmed by the rapid disappearance of traditional rice varieties - and the deep knowledge, adaptability, and nutritional richness they embodied - Srinivasamurthy set off on a journey across India, determined to protect and preserve these ancient grains.

He found over 350 types of traditional rice, each with its own story. “These rice varieties are not just crops,” Srinivasamurthy says. “They’re living proof of our ancestors’ wisdom - adapted to our lands, our climate, and our way of life.”

One of Srinivasamurthy’s important achievements has been the revival of black rice from Manipur and Assam. This rare variety, once mainly grown by tribal communities, is known for its unique nutritional and medicinal benefits. With its deep colour and anti-inflammatory properties, it is now slowly finding a place in wider markets. In the plains of Uttar Pradesh, where traditional upland rice varieties had almost disappeared due to the widespread push for high-yielding crops after the Green Revolution, he was able to recover and grow several forgotten types. These include seeds that can survive droughts and floods, a much-needed quality in today’s unpredictable climate. In Kerala’s Wayanad district, where once more than 160 rice varieties were grown but over 50 had gone extinct, Srinivasamurthy worked with local farmers to bring back some of those lost grains. By helping them reconnect with their traditional seeds and knowledge, he played a part in reviving a rich agricultural tradition that was close to being forgotten.

Today, Srinivasamurthy is known across India for his work. His seeds are now used by many other farmers. His journey has brought him success, but what matters most to him is the joy of saving something valuable. He is helping build a future that remembers and respects the past.

At Swah, we are proud to support his mission. Thanks to his dedication, these special rice varieties are no longer forgotten. They are being grown again, shared again, and celebrated again.

Srinivasamurthy’s story shows us that the future of farming lies not only in progress but in remembering the wisdom of the past.