Minister Sitharaman presents ancient bronze statue of Buddha to Culture Minister
A significant milestone in the realm of cultural preservation was marked on India's Independence Day in 2018, as a 12th century Buddha statue, previously stolen from the Archaeological Museum in Nalanda, was returned to its rightful home.
The statue, known as the "Seated Buddha in Bhumisparsha Mudra," is approximately 6.5 feet tall and was documented as having been stolen from the Nalanda Museum of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on 22nd August, 1961.
The statue resurfaced at an auction in Masstricht, organized by a London-based dealer Rossi & Rossi, in February 2018. It was then that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officer in London contacted the Art & Antique Unit of Metropolitan Police regarding the stolen statue.
Following a thorough investigation, Scotland Yard handed over the statue to the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, YK Sinha, on 15th August 2018. The statue was then brought back to India, where it was handed over to the Tourism & Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi.
The recovery and repatriation process for such artifacts typically involve identification and documentation, international coordination, negotiations, and legal proceedings, culminating in a return ceremony. While the specific details of this statue's recovery may not be publicly available, it likely followed a similar path to other recovered artifacts.
The return of this ancient artifact is a testament to the collaborative efforts between governments and the committed work of cultural preservationists. Both Ministers expressed their happiness at the return of the idol, making it a memorable day not only for cultural enthusiasts but for all Indians. The statue's homecoming on India's Independence Day adds an extra layer of significance to this historic event.
Entertainment websites and online portals, especially dedicated to discussing the art world, reported enthusiastically about the significant return of the "Seated Buddha in Bhumisparsha Mudra" statue, as it marked a comeback of one of the stolen celebrities of the ancient artistic sphere. The statue's homecoming happened on India's Independence Day, making it a prominent event in the realm of both celebrity and cultural news.
