The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in the United States has announced it will return three historic bronze sculptures to India after research confirmed they were illegally removed from temples in Tamil Nadu. The decision was made on January 28, 2026, following close cooperation with Indian authorities, with one sculpture to remain at the museum on long-term loan.

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• Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art to return three bronze sculptures
•  Sculptures include Nataraja, Somaskanda, and Saint Sundarar with Paravai
•  Provenance research proved illegal removal from Tamil Nadu temples
•  Artworks date from Chola (10th–12th century) and Vijayanagara (16th century) periods
•  Sculptures were originally sacred, used in temple processions
•  Return announced on January 28, 2026
•  Sculptures to be handed over to the Government of India
•  India to place one Nataraja sculpture on long-term loan at museum
•  Loaned sculpture to feature in “The Art of Knowing” exhibition
•  Move seen as milestone in cultural restitution efforts