TESTIMONIALS
Voices of People Who
Have Worked With Me
Thoughtful words from colleagues, collaborators, students and friends who have experienced my work, passion and commitment to culture, education and storytelling.
Kala Ramachandran IPS
Former Principal Secretary, Heritage and Tourism Haryana
- Dr Kush Dhebar served as a Consultant with the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Haryana during my tenure as the Principal Secretary, Heritage and Tourism, Haryana. He made invaluable contributions to several key archaeological initiatives, including significant excavation projects at Kunal and Agroha. Beyond his field research, he played a crucial role in public outreach—authoring insightful publications, writing educational comics and graphic novels, and creating engaging media such as documentaries, custom souvenirs, and interactive models and games designed to spark curiosity in children. Dr Dhebar is an impressive fount of knowledge on archaeology and especially on Harappan and regional cultural heritage, public heritage communication, and storytelling through visual media. It has been a truly enriching experience to collaborate with him, and I wish him the absolute best in all his future endeavours.
Dr Banani Bhattacharyya
Former Deputy Director, Department of Archaeology and Museums, Haryana
- Kush is not only an archaeologist but also a creative thinker who has explored innovative ways of making history an engaging subject of education, extending it beyond the boundaries of conventional textbooks. He believes that history can be made accessible to children through comics, illustrated books, games, and other interactive formats, enabling them to discover and understand the past in an enjoyable way. He emphasizes that history is not merely about dates and events; it is also about architecture, culture, art, economy, society, and the many facets of human life that shaped the past. A key focus of his work has been to explore how these diverse dimensions of history can be presented in ways that spark children's curiosity and encourage them to learn. As a consultant to the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Haryana, he has played a leading role in promoting archaeology and in exploring creative and innovative approaches to making the state's archaeological and cultural heritage more accessible and engaging to the public, particularly to younger audiences.
Aditya Tiwari
Former OSD to CM Arunachal Pradesh and Head of Public Affairs at Kuku Technologies Ltd
- I have known Kush for over a decade, and I have always been inspired by his ingenuity, his ability to learn quickly, and his knack for turning ideas into execution. At his core, Kush is a builder and an engineer at heart, with a rare ability to reason deeply, appreciate multiple perspectives, and arrive at well-considered conclusions without being swayed by bias. His PhD in archaeology reflects that same intellectual curiosity, patience, and rigour, the ability to dig deep, uncover what lies beneath the surface, and make sense of complex things. I have no doubt that these qualities will continue to serve him well in whatever he chooses to build next. Wishing him the very best for all his future endeavours. I’m confident he will continue to thrive as a builder!
Siddharth Singh (Coach Sid)
Founder, Crosstrain Fight Club
- I have known Kush as a grappler first, and over the years I have come to value him just as much for his mind as for his work on the mats. Kush is an archaeology expert, and what makes him rare is the way he connects that research to combat sports and to Indian culture. When we were building the Crosstrain Fight Club website, Kush used his research to create our initial content. He gave our story a depth and a sense of roots that we could not have found anywhere else. It helped people see that what we do at CFC is not borrowed from somewhere else, it connects to a long tradition of fighting and physical culture in India. Kush also worked with me on Reebok Fight Night and on the ADCC India Nationals. Events like these demand commitment, reliability and an understanding of the sport, and Kush brought all three. He understands grappling from the inside because he has trained it himself, and that shows in how he works. What I respect most about Kush is that everything he does comes back to one calling: preserving and sharing Indian culture. His research, his grappling and his work in the sport all point in the same direction. I am glad to have worked with him and I would recommend him to anyone who wants to work with someone serious, knowledgeable and genuinely passionate about India's heritage.
Jagnoor Singh Grewal
Former Punjab Civil Service and Ex-Goldman Sachs
- Kush is an exceptionally gifted archaeologist and cultural practitioner with a rare ability to bridge deep academic research and public engagement. Whether through his groundbreaking pedagogical frameworks or his creative work as a comic creator, he is deeply committed to making archaeology accessible to everyone, and has over many years taught different age groups and economic backgrounds to develop his craft. . By integrating the theory of multiple intelligences, innovative methodologies, and modern technology, he translates complex archaeological concepts into intuitive, engaging learning experiences tailored to the audience. Having experienced his heritage walks firsthand, I can say they are absolutely fascinating and make you appreciate the subject. Kush effortlessly weaves geography, history, sociology, and material culture into a cohesive narrative, enlivened by his sharp wit and infectious sense of humor. What truly sets him apart is his unwavering intellectual integrity and honesty towards his work, while also allowing for an open, thoughtful space that invites varied perspectives and challenges you to think critically. I cannot recommend his walks, publications, and creative projects highly enough.
Kriti Sood
Founder LAND (Learning through Arts, Narrative and Discourse) and Art Medium Circle
- Over the past two years, Kush has been a wonderful co-thinker within Art Medium Circle, an initiative by LAND and Devi Art Foundation. What makes his practice so special is the care with which he listens, understands each learner’s world, and brings together art, stories, comics, and archaeology without losing the depth of his inquiry. He creates space for every learner to find their own voice and agency, and it's been a real joy to learn alongside him and imagine new possibilities for learning together.
Vinit Bhanwala
Social Media and Outreach Consultant, Department of Archaeology and Museums, Haryana and Founder Heritage Haryana Foundation
- I am Vinit Bhanwala, working as a Heritage Consultant with the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Haryana. I have had the privilege of working with Dr. Kush Dhebar in the same department for the past three years. Kush Sir has guided and encouraged me at every step of my journey. His valuable guidance and constant motivation have inspired me to work harder towards promoting heritage tourism, heritage awareness, and greater public engagement with Haryana’s rich cultural heritage. His guidance has also been extremely valuable in my work related to social media content and digital outreach for the department. With his encouragement and support, we have been able to strengthen the department’s social media presence and achieve the milestone of becoming the second-most-followed Instagram account among Haryana Government organisations. Under his guidance and support, we have also achieved the milestone of organising more than 120 heritage programmes across Haryana, connecting people with the state’s monuments, museums, archaeological sites, history, and living cultural traditions. His knowledge, encouragement, and valuable suggestions have played an important role throughout this journey. Through his writings, including comics and books on Haryana, and through the work of the Vratya Foundation, he has contributed significantly to spreading awareness and knowledge about Haryana’s heritage and the cultural heritage of South India. I am truly grateful to Kush Sir for his constant support, guidance, and encouragement. Thank you, Sir, for always motivating me to do better and for guiding me at every step. I sincerely hope to continue learning from you and seek your valuable guidance and blessings in the years ahead.