Shiva Nataraja to Somaskanda: US museum to return three illegally taken bronze sculptures to India

Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, United States, has decided to return the sculptures of Nataraja, Somaskanda, and Saint Sundarar with Paravai to the Government of India after confirming that they were illegally removed from temple settings in Tamil Nadu.

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¨     The decision is regarded as a major milestone in the international recovery of India’s stolen cultural heritage.

¨     It also serves as a validation of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT)-based recovery strategy pursued by the Tamil Nadu Idol Wing–CID.

¨     Relevant documents and MLAT- related materials were submitted to the museum in 2022.

¨     In 2023, the French Institute of Pondicherry’s photo archives established that the sculptures had been photographed in functioning temples between 1956 and 1959.

¨     These findings were subsequently reviewed and affirmed by the Archaeological Survey of India, which confirmed that the removals violated Indian law.

Key Features of sculptures

Name of Sculpture

Period / Date

Location

Main Features

Nataraja

Chola period (10th century); photographed in 1957

Shri Bhava Aushadheshwar Temple, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu

Shiva is shown performing the cosmic dance within a circle of flames; represents the five cosmic acts (Panchakriya) — creation (damaru), preservation (abhaya mudra), destruction (fire), concealment (foot placed on the ground), and liberation (raised foot).

Somaskanda

12th century; photographed in 1959

Vishwanath Temple, Alattur village, Tamil Nadu

Four-armed Shiva holding a battle-axe and deer in upper hands, citron in lower left hand, and abhaya mudra in lower right; Parvati holds a blue lotus; the pedestal has four rings for ceremonial procession.

Saint Sundarar and Paravai

Vijayanagara period (16th century); photographed in 1956

Shiva Temple, Veerasolapuram village, Tamil Nadu

Depicts the Shaiva saint Sundarar and his wife Paravai; highlights Paravai’s devotion to both Shiva and her husband.

Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs)

¨     MLA is a formal mechanism that enables countries to cooperate in criminal investigations and prosecutions, especially when evidence or proceeds of crime are located abroad.

¨     Such cooperation is generally governed by bilateral treaties or agreements between countries.

¨     MLATs are increasingly used in cases involving heritage crimes, financial offences, and transnational investigations.