Indian Temple Antiquities: Theft and Illicit Trade
In this interview, Dr Kirit Mankodi addresses the critical issue of antiquity theft and illicit art trafficking, sharing his experiences and insights into efforts to reclaim stolen cultural heritage. He discusses the crucial challenges and ethical concerns associated with the preservation and protection of India's artistic heritage. Highlights the complexities of dealing with illicit art trafficking and the impact of urbanization on built heritage. He shares his involvement in efforts to reclaim stolen antiquities, such as the establishment of the website www.plunderedpast.in. Dr Mankodi provides insights into the challenges and successes encountered in repatriation efforts, including notable cases like the recovery of the Yakshi from Bharhut and amorous couples from Atru. The discussion of Dr Mankodi's interviews with Dr Pushkar Sohoni views emerging areas of research within Indian temple architecture and the importance of developing guidelines and initiatives by authorities and educational institutions to contribute to the documentation and preservation of the cultural heritage.
About the interviewee:
Dr Kirit Mankodi, an accomplished archaeologist and art historian, earned both his M.A. and doctoral degrees from the Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute, Pune. His professional journey includes affiliations with prominent institutions such as The American Academy of Benares and Prachya Niketan, Bhopal. During that association, he was a part of the much-renowned nationwide temple documentation exercise which culminated in the volumes of the Encyclopaedia of Indian Temple Architecture (EITA). Currently, he is associated with the Project for Indian Cultural Studies, established by Franco-Indian Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd, Mumbai, which marks the twelfth publication of the Project. Dr Mankodi is widely recognized as the author of significant works, including the acclaimed one titled The Queen's Stepwell at Patan (2021) and his co-authorship in The Antiquities of Himachal, among other notable publications. He is also in the process of finalizing a forthcoming monograph titled Atru: In the Penumbra of Pratihara/ParamÄra Art and a co-authored volume titled Temples on the Tirtha of Baroli.