Skip to main content

The Idol Thief by S. Vijay Kumar - Book Review

The Idol Thief by S. Vijay Kumar takes you into the world of idol theft and art smuggling in South India, centring around the audacious crimes of Subhash Kapoor. With a narrative woven through the author’s real-life experiences and encounters with law enforcement, this true crime story reveals a shocking underbelly of corruption, greed, and the relentless pursuit of justice.

In this hardcover edition of Vijay Kumar's debut book, the reader is taken deep into the mysterious world of art thievery. The nonfiction book could have very well been a thriller genre fiction about how a handful of volunteers team up to counter millions of dollars worth racket involving stolen art and artifacts. 

                         

More significantly, here we are talking about idols of Gods and Goddesses stolen from temples located in Tamil Nadu, a southern state in India. A well-oiled network of thieves, art dealers, businessmen aided by a complacent and apathetic government, managed to loot Temples of their prized artifacts, especially those which are like centuries old.

These were then exported abroad to be sold to fancy museums and art collectors. Yes, people like to buy Gods too! For their personal collection. What probably they failed into account was a group of proactive individuals, connected through the internet, unraveling this at times unintentionally and unknowingly as to what they were getting into. Their zeal was matched by a few individuals in the government investigative agencies who were doing a good job at their posts.

S. Vijay Kumar has been at the front of this mission. Being a blogger, he started writing about this and eventually became the face of the movement which unraveled the international art smuggling ring led by Subhash Kapoor. He owned an art gallery which sold and distributed art to wealthy buyers and museums, which threw caution to winds while purchasing such pieces completely against norms.

But as I was reading this gripping book, it dawned upon me, that how it is a story of one State in India. Since Independence, Indians have systematically plundered their own heritage by facilitating the sale of the priceless heritage left by our ancestors.

This story revolves around the Chola Artefacts. I am sure there are many other networks which need to be exposed.

What Makes This a Timely Read?

The Idol Thief is particularly relevant in today’s global climate, where discussions around cultural heritage and restitution are gaining momentum. As countries grapple with the repatriation of stolen artifacts, Kumar’s account serves as a timely reminder of the past and the urgency of the present. His message is clear: the struggle to bring our Gods home is not just a matter of national pride; it is a matter of justice. 

In an age where cultural awareness is on the rise, this book serves as a clarion call for the preservation of heritage. As Kumar states, “We cannot afford to let greed overshadow the sanctity of our cultural treasures.”

As I closed the book, I couldn’t help but reflect on the broader implications of Kapoor’s actions. The theft of these idols was not merely an assault on art; it was an affront to the very identities of the communities from which they were stolen. Kumar’s work is a testament to the need for accountability and the moral imperative to protect our shared heritage.


Pages - 225
Edition - Hardcover
Publisher - Juggernaut Books
Publishing year - 2018

—-

Tushar Mangl writes on mental health, soul food, leisure, and a greener, better society. He is also the speaker and author of Hey Honey Bunch, Ardika, and I Will Do It. Join me in exploring the intersections of life, culture, and justice through storytelling.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Also read

Why do we crave bookshops when life falls apart? A deep reading of Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop

This article reflects on Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum, a gentle novel about burnout, healing, and second chances. Through Yeong-ju and her quiet community, the book reminds you that meaning often returns slowly, through books, people, and ordinary days that begin to feel like home again. Why do so many of us secretly dream of walking away from everything? At some point, usually on a crowded weekday morning or during yet another meeting that could have been an email, you wonder if this is all there is. You did what you were told. You studied, worked hard, built a career, stayed responsible. And yet, instead of contentment, there is exhaustion. Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop begins exactly at this uncomfortable truth. Hwang Bo-reum’s novel does not shout its intentions. It does not promise transformation through grand revelations. Instead, it sits beside you quietly and asks a gentler question. What if the problem is not that you failed, but that you nev...
Post a Comment
Read more

Spill the Tea: Noor and the Silence After Doing Everything right

Noor has done everything she was supposed to do — moved out, built a life, stayed independent. Yet beneath the neat routines and functional success lies a quiet emptiness she cannot name. Part of the Spill the Tea series, this story explores high-functioning loneliness, emotional flatness, and the unsettling fear of living a life that looks complete from the outside. The verandah was brighter than Noor expected. Morning light lay flat across the tiles, showing every faint scuff mark, every water stain from old monsoons. The air smelled of detergent from a neighbour’s washed curtains flapping overhead. On the table, the paneer patties waited in a cardboard bakery box I’d emptied onto a plate. A squeeze bottle of ketchup stood beside it, slightly sticky around the cap. Two cups of tea, steam already thinning. In one corner, a bamboo palm stood in a large terracotta planter. Thin stems. Too many leaves. Trying very hard to look like it belonged indoors. Noor sat down and pulled the chair ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Cutting people off isn’t strength—It is a trauma response

Your ability to cut people off and self-isolate is not a skill you should be proud of—It is a trauma response Cutting people off and self-isolating may feel like a protective shield, but it is often rooted in unresolved or unhealed trauma and an inability to depend on others. While these behaviors seem like self-preservation, they end up reinforcing isolation and blocking meaningful connections. Confronting these patterns, seeking therapy, and nurturing supportive relationships can help break this unhealthy cycle. Plus, a simple act like planting a jasmine plant can symbolise the start of your journey towards emotional healing. Why do we cut people off and isolate? If you’re someone who prides themselves on “cutting people off” or keeping a tight circle, you might believe it’s a skill—a way to protect yourself from betrayal, hurt, or unnecessary drama. I get it. I’ve been there, too. But here’s the thing: this ability to isolate yourself is not as empowering as it may seem. In fact, i...
1 comment
Read more