The combined efforts of Indian and UK government paved the way for restoring 500-year-old bronze idol.
The contribution of Archeological Survey of India (ASI) in restoring and maintaining Indian heritage is not so much appreciated. But, what if I say, without them, India might have never recovered a majority of stolen item by foreign conquerors. Recently, the UK government and Oxford University informed returning a stolen bronze idol which is 500 years old! In this article, we will discuss about this unique bronze idol, its history, and process of restoration.
This 16th-century bronze sculpture of Saint Tirumankai Alvar is 60 cm tall. It was found in the collections of Dr J.R. Belmont (1886-1981), who is a British collector. The Ashmolean Museum mentioned “it acquired the statue in good faith in 1967.”
According to written scripts and historical books, Thirumangai Alvar (also known as Tirumangai Alvar or Tirumankai Alvar or Thirumangai Mannan) belongs to 8th century AD. He is believed to be the last of the 12 ‘Alvar saints’ in south India. Meanwhile, they are well-known and respected for their affiliation to Vaishnava tradition. Thirumangai Alvar is considered as one of the most educated and skilled Alvars for composition of verses. He also received the title of ‘Narkavi Perumal’, which is the mark of an excellent poet and Parakala (Beyond Time). He was a believed to be a military commander, a chieftain, also a robber. Post his conversion into Vaishnavism, he dedicated his life to learn more about life and spread the worda of the God.
The idol got everyone's attention during an UK museum auction. The Indian government, then, made a formal request to return the idol which believed to be stolen from a temple in Tamil Nadu.
The museum authority mentioned about notifying the origins of this ancient statue by an independent researcher (name not released) in November, 2023.
“On 11 March 2024, the Council of the University of Oxford supported a claim from the Indian High Commission for the return of a 16th-century bronze sculpture of Saint Tirumankai Alvar from the Ashmolean Museum. This decision will now be submitted to the Charity Commission for approval,” said a statement from the Oxford university's Ashmolean Museum.
According to many historians, there are numerous stolen Indian artefacts in UK museums. This is not the first time such restoration has been done.
In August 2023, a joint USA-UK investigation involving Scotland Yard's Art and Antiques Unit helped restoration of a 17th century “Navaneetha Krishna” bronze sculpture. It was later handed over to the Indian High Commissioner.
Previously, through India Pride Project, the High Commission of India in London, helped restoration of four antique idols of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman. These idols were stolen in 1978 from a temple in Tamil Nadu, built during Vijayanagara period.
During post-independence era, more than a dozen bronze idols were stolen from prestigious Nalanda Museum. Some of these idols were restored through India Pride Project.
Meanwhile, several museums in UK hold some of the most famous archaeology and art artefacts from the globe.
