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

Does India need communal parties?

I think, it was Tan's post on this blog itself, Republic Day Event, where this question was raised. My answer. YES. we need communal parties even in Independent, Secular India. Now let me take you, back to events before 1947. When India was a colony of the British Empire. The congress party, in its attempt to gain momentum for the independence movement, heavily used Hinduism, an example of which is the famous Ganesh Utsav held in Mumbai every year. Who complains? No one. But at that time, due to various policies of the congress, Muslims started feeling alienated. Jinnah, in these times, got stubborn over the need of Pakistan and he did find a lot of supporters. Congress, up till late 1940's never got bothered by it. And why should we? Who complains? No one. But there were repercussions. The way people were butchered and slaughtered during that brief time when India got partitioned, was even worse than a civil war scenario. All in the name of religion. And there indeed was cr...
40 comments
Read more

Spill the Tea: When an online relationship feels more real

Anaya’s online relationship feels intense, intimate, and real — until she meets him in person. At a roadside tea stall, she admits she prefers digital intimacy to real-world vulnerability. This Spill the Tea story explores online friendships, emotional loneliness, and the quiet cost of choosing a screen over a life. Anaya rang the bell without calling first. When I opened the door, she was already stepping in, as if the decision had been made long before.  I asked her to sit. She chose the edge of the sofa, not leaning back. I went to the kitchen and opened the cupboards, scanning for something to put in front of her. I found a bar of chocolate. I broke it into uneven pieces and placed them on a small plate. She took one. The foil crackled in the quiet room.  “I’ll make tea,” I said. She looked at the plate and then at me. “No,” she said. “Don’t make it here.” I thought she meant she didn’t want tea. She shook her head. “Let’s go out. Tapri chai .” She said it lightly, ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Debate : Do the ends justify the means...

Note : Give it all a fair thought before you jot down... Flaming and religion-bashing will not be tolerated. Your participation is gladly appreciated. I dunno if you folks remember this incident; a couple of yrs back, the UPSC exam had a question where the emainee had to assert his views on *revolutionary terrorism* initiated by Bhagat Singh. As is typical of the government, hue and cry was not far behind... Anyway, let us look at some facts -   Bhagat Singh was an atheist, considered to be one of the earliest Marxist in India and in line with hi thinking, he renamed the Hindustan Republican Party and called it the Hindustan Socialist Revolutionary Party. Bhagat Finally, awaiting his own execution for the murder of Saunders, Bhagat Singh at the young age of 24 studied Marxism thoroughly and wrote a profound pamphlet “Why I am an Atheist.” which is an ideological statement in itself. The circumstances of his death and execution are worth recounting. Although, Bhagat Singh had a...
30 comments
Read more