Your disappointment is valid but target is wrong. Let me explain why.
When archeological restoration is done one of the basic aim is to make sure that we don’t alter the original structure or hide it. Restoration should not come at the cost of antique ness of structure. 1/n
When archeological restoration is done one of the basic aim is to make sure that we don’t alter the original structure or hide it. Restoration should not come at the cost of antique ness of structure. 1/n
This can be achieved for partially dilapidated temples in few ways.
1) Make the exact replica of the lost part (for eg replica of broken or lost sculptures)& add it to the original. In that way we can not only preserve antiquity but we can revive it back to its full glory. 2/n
1) Make the exact replica of the lost part (for eg replica of broken or lost sculptures)& add it to the original. In that way we can not only preserve antiquity but we can revive it back to its full glory. 2/n
& That is all we truly desire. To revive our temples to full glory. But there are few problems to it.
First - to make exact replicas we need artists - Murtikara, Athapaskan, Chitrakara etc who are still well versed in medieval temple architecture and artistic traditions. 3/n
First - to make exact replicas we need artists - Murtikara, Athapaskan, Chitrakara etc who are still well versed in medieval temple architecture and artistic traditions. 3/n
Unfortunately that is not possible for many parts of N. India. We have simply lost that unbroken chain sometime in the past.
However case of Odisha and Rajasthan - Gujarat is different. Here there are artisans who can replicate medieval temple art accurately! 4/n
However case of Odisha and Rajasthan - Gujarat is different. Here there are artisans who can replicate medieval temple art accurately! 4/n
So then what’s the problem? The problem now is money. If you would have seen budget of those newly built traditional maru gurjara temples in Gujarat you would realize that even a single sculpture costs somewhere from 10000s to 1 lake or more depending on size. 5/n
Forget about the cost of acquiring stone itself and other logistics. How can one expect to have ASI enormous funding to cover wntire temple with stone carvings - giant temples that even in medieval times were made possible due to enormous royal patronage? 6/n
Only other alternative is govt providing funding? Are you willing to ask Mr Modi for that? I bet answer is no.
So then other alternative is to pull public funding. Are Hindus ready to provide that humongous funding? 7/n
So then other alternative is to pull public funding. Are Hindus ready to provide that humongous funding? 7/n
As of now they haven’t. ASI in such situation did most practical thing. Restored at least basic outline so that we can at least have some soul to the structure & hopefully those stones will be carved in future. 8/n
Whatever the case may be ASI is hardy at fault (barring few disastrous restorations)/m. So my ideological brethrens please stop making ASI scape goat for your guilty conscience! 9/n
