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

    Pakistan Army violates ceasefire in Jammu

    Pakistan Army violates ceasefire in Jammu
    The Pakistan Army violated the ceasefire by resorting to unprovoked firing at Indian positions on the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, an official said Wednesday....

    Pakistan Army violates ceasefire in Jammu

    Punjab to get 2,000 MW solar power plant

    Punjab to get 2,000 MW solar power plant
    Union Power and New and Renewable Energy Minister Piyush Goyal Tuesday announced the setting up of a 2,000 MW solar power plant in Punjab to...

    Punjab to get 2,000 MW solar power plant

    Army chief denies Chinese incursion into India

    Army chief denies Chinese incursion into India
    Reports Tuesday said the Chinese troops entered 25 to 30 km into Indian territory in the Burtse area of north Ladakh, pitched tents and held up flags that read...

    Army chief denies Chinese incursion into India

    Kashmir not an internal issue: Separatist leader

    Kashmir not an internal issue: Separatist leader
    Separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani Tuesday said Kashmir is an international issue and not an internal issue of India...

    Kashmir not an internal issue: Separatist leader

    Modi invites suggestions on new institution

    Modi invites suggestions on new institution
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday invited suggestions on the new institution that would replace Planning Commission through a special...

    Modi invites suggestions on new institution

    India calls off talks with Pakistan

    India calls off talks with Pakistan
    India Monday called off the foreign secretary level talks with Pakistan scheduled for Aug 25 after the latter's high commissioner Abdul...

    India calls off talks with Pakistan