Tamil Nadu department to lay claim to idols, while ASI leaves it to court
The dexterously carved centuries old 150-kg Sri Nataraja idol, which is one of the finest specimen of Chola art made of panchaloha, brought to Chennai from Delhi on Thursday. ( Photo: DC )
Chennai: The state Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) department is elated over the return of the cultural treasures, the idols of the 1,000-year-old Sri Nataraja and Sri Arthanareeswarar which were brought to the city on Thursday. It is contemplating legal options to take custody of the idols, while the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has said it was for the court to decide.
The idol of the Lord of the Cosmic Dance who was made to travel 9,000 km to the National Gallery of Art (NGA) in Canberra, Australia, and the Pallava era Sri Arthanareshwar idol, would be produced before the Jayankondam and Virudachalam courts by the idol wing police on September 17. The Nataraja idol was handed over to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by his Australian counterpart Tony Abbott, recently, in Delhi.
“We shall seek legal opinion before moving the court. There are procedures,” says P. Dhanapal, Commissioner of HR & CE. He indicated that it would be appropriate if the idols were returned to their respective temples, though the court ought to decide on the matter. Like the HR & CE officials, the people of Virudachalam in Cuddalore district where the Sri Virudhagireeswarar temple is located and also Sripuranthan village (near Ariyalur) where the Brahadeeswarar temple is situated would rejoice that the idols of Sri Arthanareeswararar and Sri Nataraja have finally returned.
“This case has legal implications. We are not going to stake a claim. It is for the court to decide,” a senior ASI official said. Sources said the idol wing police are likely to suggest sending the idols to HR & CE’s icon safety centre for safe custody. Both the idols journeyed to the ASI’s “strong room” within the historic Clive’s Bungalow on the premises of Fort St. George, where the ASI’s office is situated.
“We have agreed to keep the idols in our strong room till September 15 when they would be taken to the courts to be produced before the judicial officials. The onus of guarding them rests with the police department who have provided ten armed personnel to protect the idols round the clock,” says G. Maheshwari, superintending archaeologist, ASI Chennai circle, who has facilitated the police to keep the idols. Though initially, it was declared that the idols were of antique value, the police ought to obtain “revalidation certificate” from the ASI to authenticate their claims before the courts.
“The revalidation certificate will be issued by the director general of ASI as per section 24 of the Antiquities and Art Treasures (AAT) Act, 1972,” Ms. Maheshwari added.
Archaeologist and scholar in Chola sculptures R. Nagaswamy had already listed out inscriptional and iconographic evidences to establish that the Nataraja idol brought from Australia was indeed stolen from the temple in Sripuranthan.
TN US Oz Chennai
On the trail of Nataraja idol from Brahadeeswarar temple in Sri Puranthan village, Ariyalur.
In the last quarter of 2005, international idol smuggler Subash Kapoor during his visit to Chennai and his associate Sanjeevi Ashokan identify Brahedeeswarar temple as their target. The temple is closed but has idols of 11th century.
Sanjeevi Ashokan identifies three local thieves to execute the theft and eight idols including that of Nataraja are stolen in three installments. Between January 30 and July all the stolen idols, are shipped to the firm run by Kapoor in the US. Shipping is done by forging the certificates by purchasing similar metal idols from the state handicraft shop. They manage to obtain handicraft certificate from them and subsequently send them as if they are artistic handicraft products by mixing the ancient idols along with the new ones.
A case of missing idols is registered at Vikramangalam police station in 2008.
In 2008, Kapoor sells Nataraja idol for $5 million to National Gallery of Art in Canberra, Australia.
In 2012, idol wing of the TN police extradites Subash Kapoor for thefts in TN temples.
After putting pressure through diplomatic channels Australian PM returns the idol to Indian PM in Delhi on September 5 this year.
The idol reaches Chennai on Thursday ( September 11).
Tracking Arthanareeswarar idol belonging to Pallava period from Virudhagireeswarar temple in Virudachalam in Cuddalore dt
In 2002 temple officials remove the idol from the sanctum sanctorum after the hands of it were broken off and a poor replica is installed in the sanctum sanctorum. The original idol is installed on the outer wall of the sanctum sanctorum.
In 2002, Subash Kapoor smuggling racket removes the Arthanareeswarar idol kept in the outer wall even without the knowledge of temple officials. The idol is later shipped to Kapoor’s firm using fake documents.
In 2004, Kapoor’s antique shop sells the statue to Art Gallery of New South Wales, Australia for $3 million.
It is only in 2013, after confession from Kapoor, police come to know that idol was stolen. An FIR is registered in July 2013.
Australian PM returns the idol to Indian PM in Delhi on September 5 this year. The idol reaches Chennai on Thursday
( Source : dc )
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