📖 Overview
M. Krishnan (1912-1996) was an Indian naturalist, photographer, and writer known for his extensive documentation of Indian wildlife and natural history. His weekly newspaper column "Country Notebook" ran for over 46 years in The Statesman, making it one of the longest-running wildlife columns in India.
A pioneer of wildlife photography in India, Krishnan developed unique techniques for capturing animals in their natural habitats during the 1940s and 1950s. His black and white photographs are considered historically significant records of Indian wildlife, and his work helped establish early baseline documentation of many species.
His writing style combined scientific accuracy with lyrical descriptions, particularly in works like "Of Birds and Birdsong" and "Nature's Diversities." Krishnan was also a respected authority on Indian mammals, publishing definitive works including "India's Wildlife 1959-70" and "The Jungle and Backyard."
The Bombay Natural History Society awarded him the Salim Ali-Loke Wan Tho Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996 for his contributions to wildlife conservation and natural history documentation. His archives, containing thousands of photographs and detailed field notes, are maintained at the Bombay Natural History Society and continue to serve as valuable reference material for researchers.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Krishnan's detailed observations and ability to blend scientific knowledge with engaging storytelling. Online reviews highlight his skill at making complex natural phenomena accessible without oversimplifying.
What readers liked:
- Clear, precise descriptions of wildlife behavior
- Personal accounts that bring nature writing to life
- High quality black and white photography that captures animal behavior
- Extensive field notes and documentation
What readers disliked:
- Some found the writing style dated
- Technical terminology can be challenging for casual readers
- Limited availability of his works in print/digital formats
Review data is sparse online. Goodreads shows only a few titles with 3-5 ratings each:
- "Of Birds and Birdsong" - 4.5/5 (4 ratings)
- "Jungle and Backyard" - 4/5 (3 ratings)
- "Nature's Diversities" - No ratings
Several academic citations and references praise his contributions to Indian wildlife documentation, though consumer reviews remain limited due to the specialized nature and age of his work.
📚 Books by M. Krishnan
Nature's Mysteries (1951)
Observations and essays about Indian wildlife, based on the author's field experiences and scientific study.
My Native Land (1968) A chronicle of India's landscapes, natural heritage and environmental changes through personal journeys.
Of Birds and Birdsong (2012) Collection of articles examining bird behavior, habitat, and characteristics in the Indian subcontinent.
Eye in the Jungle (1961) Photographic documentation of Indian wildlife with detailed notes on animal behavior and habitats.
Jungle and Backyard (1967) Essays connecting urban wildlife observations with deeper ecological patterns and animal behavior.
Country Notebook (1959) Weekly columns originally published in The Statesman newspaper about nature and wildlife observations.
Nights with the Tiger (1962) Field accounts and research focused specifically on Bengal tiger behavior and habitat.
The Living Jungle (1972) Examination of forest ecosystems and wildlife interactions in Indian jungles through detailed observation.
My Native Land (1968) A chronicle of India's landscapes, natural heritage and environmental changes through personal journeys.
Of Birds and Birdsong (2012) Collection of articles examining bird behavior, habitat, and characteristics in the Indian subcontinent.
Eye in the Jungle (1961) Photographic documentation of Indian wildlife with detailed notes on animal behavior and habitats.
Jungle and Backyard (1967) Essays connecting urban wildlife observations with deeper ecological patterns and animal behavior.
Country Notebook (1959) Weekly columns originally published in The Statesman newspaper about nature and wildlife observations.
Nights with the Tiger (1962) Field accounts and research focused specifically on Bengal tiger behavior and habitat.
The Living Jungle (1972) Examination of forest ecosystems and wildlife interactions in Indian jungles through detailed observation.
👥 Similar authors
Jim Corbett wrote firsthand accounts of tracking and observing wildlife in India during the early 1900s. His writing style captures minute details of animal behavior and forest landscapes in a similar naturalist approach to Krishnan.
Kenneth Anderson documented his encounters with wildlife in South India through detailed observations and tracking experiences. His works focus on the same geographic regions and wildlife species that Krishnan wrote about.
Edward Hamilton Aitken wrote natural history accounts of Indian wildlife and forests in the late 19th century. His observations of animal behavior and habitat were recorded with scientific precision while maintaining readability.
Douglas Dewar published extensive documentation of Indian birds and their behaviors based on field studies. His systematic approach to wildlife observation and detailed notes mirror Krishnan's methodology.
F.W. Champion pioneered wildlife photography in India and wrote detailed accounts of his forest experiences. His combination of visual documentation and written observations of Indian wildlife align with Krishnan's work methods.
Kenneth Anderson documented his encounters with wildlife in South India through detailed observations and tracking experiences. His works focus on the same geographic regions and wildlife species that Krishnan wrote about.
Edward Hamilton Aitken wrote natural history accounts of Indian wildlife and forests in the late 19th century. His observations of animal behavior and habitat were recorded with scientific precision while maintaining readability.
Douglas Dewar published extensive documentation of Indian birds and their behaviors based on field studies. His systematic approach to wildlife observation and detailed notes mirror Krishnan's methodology.
F.W. Champion pioneered wildlife photography in India and wrote detailed accounts of his forest experiences. His combination of visual documentation and written observations of Indian wildlife align with Krishnan's work methods.