Read the full artcle : http://www.livemint.com/2008/04/24231037/An-Act-for-antiquity.html?d=1

The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972 : http://asi.nic.in/pdf_data/8.pdf

Right or wrong, the Cleveland Museum acquisition is at least available for all to view and will be preserved for generations to come. I wonder if Mr Neotia, Birla and Goenka will ever display their acquisitions.

I applaud the Cleveland Museum for acquiring and displaying this masterpiece.... I also greatly admire the Neotias, Birlas etc for their fine taste in art and for being the great collectors that they are. Private collectors have always been there in the world and they are the ones who have protected these treasures from the ravages of time, vandals and indiferent regimes....why vilify them now.

Rare Book, The question of vilification as you say is your view. My point being we are able to enjoy the Cleveland acquisition here in US, how many Indians will get to see the private collections of these individuals like Birla etc?

My point is...isnt it the same with all private collections anywhere in the world, including the USA. In comparison with the western nations... private collectors in India are a miniscule lot. If more people become collectors...greater will be the awareness of the true value of these treasures. That is the only way...we can transcend this overwhelming apathy pervading in our country.

If the law legitimized buying and selling of antiques...there would be no need to steal and smuggle these treasures. In the above case..the Cleveland Museum paid $ 4 million (Rs.18 crores !) for this one single statue ! Someone obviously made a fortune in this brazen deal since the Indian Govt. would not have sold it. As Arvind Mallya rightly mentions in his comment above....this statue could have been stolen right now and neither the law, the system or the authorities are delving into the reasons... to prevent it from happening again !

Jnana-Pravaha, the Centre for Cultural Studies & Research at Varanasi represents the vision of its founders, Bimla Poddar and Suresh Neotia. It aims to serve and promote the cause of culture by rediscovering and highlighting its universal elements those that transcend all barriers. Jnana-Pravaha presents varied and scintillating forms of the visual and performing arts, and endeavours to create an awareness about the country s cultural ethos and ethnic conventions. It is devoted to reviving and preserving old and obscure scripts which, while of immense significance for the reconstruction of the cultural history of the subcontinent, have been neglected to the point of being extinct. Through its educational and research programmes and publications, Jnana-Pravaha is engaged in the dissemination of our tangible and intangible heritage. All this is being accomplished with quiet zeal in a serene yet pleasing ambience. Situated on the left bank of the holy stream of Uttaravahini Ganga, Jnana-Pravaha faces the historical fort of Ramnagar on the other side of the river. While a well-equipped reference library on Indian culture, art, history, philosophy, literature and allied subjects caters to the needs of students and researchers, iterature and allied subjects caters to the needs of students and researchers, Kalamandapa (the Museum) presents a treasure trove of art dating from the pre-Mauryan age to the 20th century. The survey and documentation of local sites and antiquarian remains is emerging as an added attraction to art historians. Seminars, symposia and workshops on different themes form regular features of the Centre s activities. In-depth studies of specific subjects are a hallmark of Jnana-Pravaha. Similarly, conducting special courses in early scripts like Brahmi and Kharoshti affirms the conviction of the Centre of the need to revitalise archaeological source material. An independent research project for deciphering and studying epigraphs and records has been launched with the appointment of Senior and Associate Fellows. Staging of Sanskrit plays is another Jnana-Pravaha annual event. The Vedas are the fountain of knowledge and are accepted as the earliest books of the world. To preserve their oriental style of learning and recitation, Jnana-Pravaha has established a city unit known as the Samskara & Anushthana Kendra. The emphasis is on the conventional and correct pronunciation of Vedic hymns. Young students undergo rigorous training in the Gurukula style under the close supervision of the Acaryas.

I've been to the Cleveland Museum of Art and their collection is magnificent - of miniatures, statues and art from other South Asian countries. I saw things that I had previously only seen in books on Indian art. I feel blessed to have been able to have seen these powerful and beautiful masterworks in person. I hope more people will preserve these precious artworks and lend them to museums for all to see.

Rare Book, I'm glad you got my point now, if the Cleveland Museum got the idol from a legitimate source such as a family heirloom (which are far and few) is good because they will be preserved here in the USA and everyone will have the opportunity to see it. Now if the idol is ripped from an Ancient Hindu temple (under the watchful eyes of the ASI) and sold of to the highest bidder by unscrupulous individuals for unlawful gains, then it is a loss to the heritage of India. I have yet to see a world class Museum, heritage site (a few like Ajanta with UN assistance) built by the Government of India (they only take the temple Hundi funds and give it to others). If these individuals quoted in the article were truly committed to preservation and display of Indian heritage then they would build world class museums and lead in the preservation of heritage sites for all Indians to be proud off.

Arvind : Please see my comment above...which specifically says that : Jnana-Pravaha, the Centre for Cultural Studies & Research at Varanasi represents the vision of its founders, Bimla Poddar and Suresh Neotia.

Thanks! would love to see their collections!

Ive just been to the Albert Hall Museum in Jaipur--the state of the glass showcases is pathetic--thick layers of dust every where--the baize---other cloth material used to keep the various artifacts on are dirty--the glass itself badly stained---seeing this it is much better that our art treasures remain abroad --where they are looked after better than here in our museums

what a beautiful piece of work!

agree with Mallaya these beautiful pieces of heritage procured by few individuals should be out for all of us to admire.....Tatas are a point in this case they have not only given a substantial part of their collection to PWM as a permanent loan, they also take a lively interest in its upkeep.