Smithsonian to Repatriate Stolen South Indian Temple Bronzes to India Following Probe.

WASHINGTON (Jan 29): The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art has officially announced the repatriation of three historic South Indian bronze sculptures to India after a multi-year provenance investigation confirmed they were illegally removed from temples decades ago. The artifacts, which represent the pinnacle of South Indian bronze-casting traditions, were originally sacred objects used in temple processions in Tamil Nadu.

The three sculptures identified for return include a Chola-period Shiva Nataraja (ca. 990), a 12th-century Somaskanda from the Chola era, and a 16th-century Vijayanagara-period depiction of Saint Sundarar with Paravai. Under a unique long-term loan agreement with the Indian government, the Shiva Nataraja will remain on display at the museum in Washington. This arrangement allows the museum to continue showcasing the masterpiece while publicly documenting its history of illegal removal and subsequent legal return to Indian ownership.

The breakthrough in the investigation occurred when researchers cross-referenced the museum’s collection with the photo archives of the French Institute of Pondicherry. Photographs taken between 1956 and 1959 confirmed that these bronzes were originally located in the Sri Bhava Aushadesvara Temple, the Visvanatha Temple, and a Shiva temple in Veerasolapuram. Subsequent reviews by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) concluded that the items were exported in violation of national laws. Museum Director Chase F. Robinson emphasized that this return reflects a commitment to ethical museum practices and expressed gratitude to the Indian government for the collaborative effort in finalizing the repatriation process. (telanganatoday)

For more details: Navamalayalam.com