The knowledge of a dark subject like the illicit Antiquities trade is not something you can comprehend by listening to an expert talk n take notes. Such shallow work gets exposed sooner in other domains but since this is rarely studied one some upstarts get away ..for a while
it took me the better part of two decades as an "activist" to even gain the basic understanding of our knowledge systems. Upteen site visits , countless hours scouring heritage sites not even on the map trying to commit to memory material, style, region, dynasties
Countless followup hours studying up published material and then revisiting the trip via photos and field notes. And then going back and questioning some due to outdated reasoning and more importantly fighting against the system which doesn't allow outsiders views ..
Even basic access to content was hard and had the good fortune of several friends and we'll wishers who helped .. a permission here, an old book there, a scanned research paper .. and then getting to publish an article was the next obstacle
All the while you need to carry your real friends with you while learning to separate the chaff .. those who stay with you for the long haul and those who jump onboard to steal credit .. like the say in Tamil ... The thread also gains the flavor of the flower in the garland
When you have invested the time and effort n when the cause is good, you tend to attract good people. I am fortunate to have some great minds who I can count on .. who have stayed with me , sharing the pains of the journey, pangs of hunger on parched April site visits ..
After you have done all this. When the world is beginning to take your work seriously, u prove that what you say is based on facts,written over a hundred articles against the collecting lobby cabal, when you have exposed criminals n brought them to book .. only then
Does the validation come and in my case was a commissioned work of non fiction by a publishing house. Authoring a non fiction is different from fantasy n fiction n in this case the expose resulted in a 900 crore seizure, 37 arrests incl corrupt law enforcement n is still on going
And then you don't rest on it but work the system, data mine the archives , use the wisdom gleaned to solve even closed cases going back to 1960s .. it's been a fantastic journey n take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped us do this.
Cultural property theft is not something you can undo at the flip of a switch. Nor do we need to color it a particular shade for personal development. It's easy to raise the public sentiments n don a savior cloak but such makeovers are temporary.
Gods choose the time and vehicle they want to come back. If you are chosen then you need to ensure that your claims r backed by research, supporting by proper legal basis n you need to ensure what you utter even for a ' talk' , ' conference' or article are backed by facts
The growth of SM helps a lot of self purported champions of our culture but then all it takes is a faulty reference, an incorrect temple name, a mis identification n your credibility is lost. It's the reason why we always take the advise of experts in domains wr we might not be 1
Be vary of the real opponent their strengths but don't be frightened by the deep pockets of the lobby. you are in the right side of the fight and your cause is also right.. the universe conspires to get you results. Will you be content with you receive is an another !!

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More from @poetryinstone

11 Aug
#BringOurGodsHome thanks @TimesNow for taking this up on national TV n @Ahmedshabbir20 for going down to Anandamangalam to report first hand
Read 4 tweets
22 Nov 20
The problem in Karnataka was a ticking time bomb - the establishment just ignored the ticks ! None of these cases of theft n vandalism were properly investigated @Tejasvi_Surya @MalavikaBJP @sanjeevsanyal @gchikermane
The raids in Chennai linked to #KapoorLoot suppliers in 2016 and later - nothing was followed up
Direct evidence of rampant idol theft - seized in USA as part of #Kapoorloot since 2012. No action to recover
Read 6 tweets
20 Nov 20
Usually i ignore trolls but a certain individual is using his new found popularity on SM to insult genuine champions like @trramesh @jsaideepak @ShefVaidya n many more. i had earlier blocked him as i felt it beneath me to engage in such but seems time has come
His first allegation is disputing this interview where retired head of Idol wing Mdm Thilagavati IPS credits my role in indentifying artefacts linked to Subhash Kapoor. Important to know that Kapoor was arrested in sept 2011 in Germany. Why is the date important ?
He then alleges that i had hijacked FIR's lodged by another IPS officer claiming wrongful credit for his work. So let me begin with the Vriddhachalam Ardhanari - work i did with @ChasingAphrodit #pulitzerfinalist pulitzer.org/finalists/jaso… n @michaelamarea n Srivatsan of @thehindu
Read 19 tweets
18 Nov 20
This is another case which emphasizes the importance of a proper archive ( IFP) n also why we need to reopen all closed FIR ( not followed up since 1950s stating untraceble) #BringOurGodsHome
Read 6 tweets
16 Nov 20
modernghana.com/news/1043306/d… The men and women of these countries have the right to recover these cultural assets which are part of their being’. @mafoikprajan @prahladspatel @Tarunvijay @sanjeevsanyal @MinOfCultureGoI @PMOIndia @TThenarasu #BringOurGodsHome
Requests for return of cultural objects that were not looted, or which originated from countries that were not Dutch colonies are to be accepted if they are of special cultural, historical, or religious interest to the country of origin. #LeidenGrants #Anaimanglam
requests for restitution of objects from non-former Dutch colonies must be accompanied by evidence or proof that the object is more appropriately kept in the requesting land than in Holland on religious or cultural ground
Read 4 tweets
12 Aug 20
This post is to raise awareness about the damage that the theft of cultural property does to sacred objects on the ground. In a series of images which I will post one a day till Aug 15th ... I hope to tell a story. #1 . #BringOurGodsHome #IndependenceDay Image
This post is to raise awareness about the damage that the theft of cultural property does to sacred objects on the ground. #2 In this series of images which I post one a day till Aug 15th ... I hope to tell a story. #2 . #BringOurGodsHome #IndependenceDay2020 Image
This post is to raise awareness about the damage that the theft of cultural property does to sacred objects on the ground. #3 In this series of images which I post one a day till Aug 15th ... I hope to tell a story. #3 . #BringOurGodsHome #IndependenceDayIndia Image
Read 5 tweets

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