US to Return Stolen Chola, Vijayanagar Bronzes to India

• The US will return three ancient bronze sculptures, illegally removed from Indian temples, to the Government of India.
• The Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art in Washington DC confirmed the return after rigorous provenance research.
• The sculptures include 'Shiva Nataraja' (Chola period), 'Somaskanda' (Chola period), and 'Saint Sundarar with Paravai' (Vijayanagar period).
• One sculpture, 'Shiva Nataraja', will be on long-term loan to the museum, allowing it to share the object's full story.
• Research confirmed the bronzes were photographed in Tamil Nadu temples between 1956-1959 and removed in violation of Indian laws.

Why It Matters: The US is returning three stolen ancient Indian bronze sculptures, emphasizing ethical museum practices and provenance research.