US Museum Returns 3 Stolen Indian Sculptures, Keeps Shiva Nataraja on Loan

• The Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art in Washington DC will return three ancient bronze sculptures to India.
• The sculptures, 'Shiva Nataraja', 'Somaskanda', and 'Saint Sundarar with Paravai', were illegally removed from Indian temples.
• Rigorous provenance research, including collaboration with the French Institute of Pondicherry, confirmed their illegal removal from Tamil Nadu temples between 1956-1959.
• The Indian government agreed to a long-term loan of the 'Shiva Nataraja' to the museum, allowing it to share the object's full story.
• The return highlights the museum's commitment to ethical practices and transparency in stewarding cultural heritage.

Why It Matters: A US museum is returning three stolen Indian bronze sculptures, with one Shiva Nataraja kept on loan.