Theft of antiques from tribal area (Dec 7, 1998)

HP documentation project at standstill
From S.P.Sharma
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Dec 6 — The first-ever move of documentation of antiques in the tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh has virtually failed to take off with almost all ancient monasteries refusing to allow photography of their precious possessions.

The archaeological wing of the Culture Department had taken up the documentation of antiques in the possession of monasteries and individuals in 1992 when a number of thefts of such items were reported in the tribal belt.The theft of 12 antique idols from the Kamroo temple in Kinnaur district had also made it necessary to document such articles.

It is learnt that important monasteries, including Key, Hansa, Losar, Chicham, Kibar, Kungri and Kamroo, have not allowed photography of their possessions. Many of these areas were opened to tourists without obtaining any inner line permit.

The tribal areas are a treasure trove of antiques which have a very high value in the market.

Individual lamas residing in villages falling under these monasteries have also not allowed officials to see their rare possessions despite efforts of the local authorities.

A house-to-house survey was done in Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur districts to photograph and register rare articles.

The archaeological wing has been able to photograph only about 1,400 antiques during the last six years.It is learnt that the documentation project has been at a standstill since 1994. Officials have been visiting the tribal areas every summer but their efforts to persuade the heads of monasteries to allow photography of their possessions have been vain.

They have so far been able to photograph mostly thankas and stucos. Residents of the tribal villages are reported to be in possession of antiques, but will allow their photography only after their respective monasteries have got the documentation done.

Officials saw a ray of hope when the head lama of the Key monastery, Guru Rinpoche, returned to his native place in Spiti from abroad for a few days.However, he asked for a copy of the act under which the documentation was being done and later did not say anything about permitting photography.

They camped for two days in the Kungri monastery to get permission for photography. However, the quorum of the lamas to discuss the issue was not complete both days and the officials returned.

For documenting the precious possessions of the Kamroo fort, permission has to be obtained from the local "devta".

Sources say the monastery at Pooh has also not responded to the request for taking photographs of its antiques.

The Hindu temples at Kalpa, Chitkul and Sangra in Kinnaur district have also not allowed photography of their rare articles.

The areas so far covered by the photography project are Tabo, Lari, the Sangla valley and parts of Lahaul.

It is learnt that the head lama of the 996 AD Tabo monastery,Sonam Wangdue,was in possession of eight precious bronze idols dating back to the 11th century.

A thanka in possession of Dorjee Chhering of Losar village is said to be rare in its theme. It depicts "Tshogshing", an assemblage of divinities of the pantheon,probably arranged according to rank,often called an assembly of gods.