A landmark agreement sees America’s National Museum of Asian Art returning two ancient bronzes to India, with a third Chola masterpiece staying on loan amid full disclosure. Stolen from Tamil Nadu temples generations ago, the trio boasts Shiva Nataraja (Chola, ~990 AD), Somaskanda (12th century Chola), and Sundarar with Paravai (Vijayanagara, 16th century)—jewels of bronze sculpture.
These weren’t mere art; they animated temple processions, pulsing with spiritual life. The breakthrough stemmed from 2023 research aligning museum pieces with 1950s-60s temple photographs via French Pondicherry collaboration, ratified by ASI as unlawful removals.
Transparency defines the deal: Nataraja graces a dedicated show on South Asian art knowingness, chronicling theft, trade, and return. Remaining bronzes head home soon, coordinated with India’s embassy.
Director Chase F. Robinson called it a milestone in ethical collecting, lauding India’s cooperation. Teams pored over physical traits, auction trails, phony provenance papers, and shipping manifests.
Nataraja’s path: 1957 temple shot in Tiruthuraipundi, bogus 2002 New York purchase. Others from Sackler donation, pinpointed to Alathur (1959) and Virasolapuram (1956) temples.
India’s repatriation drive scores again at the globe’s premier museum hub, where annual crowds witness evolving standards. This saga reinforces cultural patrimony’s sanctity over market greed.