Close X
Thursday, November 7, 2024
ADVT 
India

Australia returns Chola period Nataraja, Ardhanariswara

Darpan News Desk IANS, 05 Sep, 2014 11:24 AM
    Two Chola period (11-12th century AD) idols were returned to India by Australia as Prime Minister Tony Abbott Friday handed them over to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi here Friday.
     
    The idols, a bronze Nataraja, or dancing Shiva, and an Ardhnariswara - or Shiva in half-female form - were returned during the meeting of the two prime ministers. The two antiques were allegedly stolen from temples in Tamil Nadu and were bought by art galleries in Australia.
     
    India had sought the return of the two statues in March.
     
    Returning the sculptures is a testimony to Australia's good citizenship on such matters and the importance with which Australia views its relationship with India, Abbott's office said.
     
    The Nataraja statue, cast in bronze, was purchased by the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) in February 2008 at a price of $5.1 million from art and antiquities dealer Subhash Kapoor.
     
     
    The Ardhanariswara statue was purchased by the Art Gallery of New South Wales in 2004 for approximately Australian $300,000 Australian dollar ($280,979).
     
    Kapoor, owner of the "Art of the Past" gallery in New York, was arrested in Germany in 2012 and extradited to India. He is accused of conspiracy to commit burglary and smuggling from Tamil Nadu antique idols of Hindu deities belonging to Chola dynasty.
     
    The case is at the prosecution stage in Tamil Nadu and Australian authorities have been assisting in conducting investigation in the case in Australia

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Kerala liquor policy to make state 'dry' in a decade

    Kerala liquor policy to make state 'dry' in a decade
    The Kerala government's intention to bring about prohibition in a phased manner has begun with a new liquor policy that will turn the state into a dry one in a decade.

    Kerala liquor policy to make state 'dry' in a decade

    SC questions government on lack of opposition leader

    SC questions government on lack of opposition leader
    The Supreme Court Friday questioned the central government over the issue of appointing a leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, and said it will give a larger interpretation to the concept of the opposition leader if the government failed to resolve the issue.

    SC questions government on lack of opposition leader

    NSEL scam accused Jignesh Shah gets bail

    NSEL scam accused Jignesh Shah gets bail
    The Bombay High Court Friday granted conditional bail to FTIL promoter Jignesh Shah, who was arrested in the Rs.5,574 crore National Stock Exchange Ltd (NSEL) scam.

    NSEL scam accused Jignesh Shah gets bail

    SC notice to centre, poll panel over Congress plea

    SC notice to centre, poll panel over Congress plea
    The Supreme Court Friday issued notice to the central government and the Election Commission on a petition challenging a Delhi High Court direction to investigate the Congress party's foreign funding.

    SC notice to centre, poll panel over Congress plea

    Sharmila again arrested in Manipur, taken to hospital

    Sharmila again arrested in Manipur, taken to hospital
    Activist Irom Sharmila Chanu, who is on an indefinite fast in Manipur for nearly 14 years seeking repeal of a law giving sweeping powers to the armed forces to deal with terrorism, was again arrested Friday, two days after she was released following a court order.

    Sharmila again arrested in Manipur, taken to hospital

    Congress alleges violence by Akalis in Punjab by-poll

    Congress alleges violence by Akalis in Punjab by-poll
    Violent incidents were reported Thursday from the Talwandi Sabo assembly constituency in Punjab during by-elections for two assembly seats....

    Congress alleges violence by Akalis in Punjab by-poll