|
Mumbai, Dec. 9,
2005: Neville Tuli, India’s first art auctioneer,
is bringing back a diverse range of books, sculptures and a map and painting
of Tipu Sultan. The map shows the Tiger of Mysore’s military plans when he fought Lord Cornwallis.
Mr Tuli
bid for them at an auction at Sotheby’s in May. He paid a total of £250,000
for 100 items and is waiting for the British government’s permission to
export them. The British claim that the works are also part of British
heritage. Mr Tuli said
the Indian government has already given him permission to import the items,
which include the well-known ceramic sculpture of the tiger eating a British
soldier.
It was made in the early
part of the 19th century, soon after the death of Tipu
Sultan in 1801. Also included is a painting depicting the last effort and
fall of Tipu Sultan’s army.
The Indian government acted much faster this time, said Mr
Tuli, an avid art collector with a deep sense of
pride in India’s
art and heritage. He feels the government should have a policy on importing
Indian art back into the country. He said many
Indians can now afford to bid for Indian art at auctions in the UK and the US
and would like India
to have them back.
“My main concern is that
Indians should be encouraged by the government to bring back Indian art and
there should be no impediments. There can be import duty, but the same should
be reasonable and this policy should be re-examined.” he said. Art imports
attract 15 per cent import duty. It may be recalled that UB Group chairman
Vijay Mallya had brought back Tipu
Sultan’s sword, but he was against paying the import duty. He felt these were
national treasures and that the duty should be waived.
|
