Pulling the Act

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Even as Subhash Kapoor, an American citizen – accused of smuggling over 2,500 artefacts into the US for sale to museums and collectors – awaits trial in an Indian court, the amendment, according to the art fraternity, will possibly reduce illegal dealings. “For Indians, these artefacts hold sentimental value. If we are allowed to buy-sell them, the domestic market will only strengthen, even bringing back some of India’s lost art,” says Kolkata-based gallerist Vikram Bachhawat. He cites the case of China, which made changes in its antiquities act recently. “This allowed the trade of artefacts in the domestic market. There were so many Chinese antique dealers in the US, now they have completely dried up. Of course, in countries like the US and the UK these antiquities can be freely bought and sold,” adds Bachhawat.

Renu Modi, director of Gallery Espace, also supports the initiative. “It’s a great way to get back antiquities to India. There is money and interest to make purchases. Giving tax benefits on such purchases will help. Vijay Mallya had problems with the import duties for the Tipu Sultan sword bought by him at an auction,” she says.

The Delhi-based gallerist does add a word of caution though. “The government will have to be very careful with the details. There needs to be close monitoring. It can’t be free trade. That will deprive the temples of all the treasures. Unfortunately, in India, several of these works are still not registered or documented properly, which leads to more opportunity for illegal trade,”
she adds.