Australia returns 900 years old Gujarat statue, old Gujarati portraits to India

Gandhinagar: National Gallery of Australia has returned 14 Artworks to India. Indian High Commissioner in Australia Manpreet Vohra expressed gratefulness for this gesture of Australia, saying “These are outstanding pieces, their return will be extremely well received by Govt and people of India.”

Among the artifacts being returned, one is 12th-13th century idol from Gujarat featuring Goddess Durga slaying the demon (Mahisasurmardini). It was purchased by the National Gallery of Australia in 2002. The photograph of the statue is given below.

The artifacts returned by Australia to India also include an untitled color family portrait of Gujarati family. The photo of the same is given below. Shastriji Amrutram Karunshankar is written on this portrait.

Another Gujarati color portrait features Hiralal A Gandhi. It belongs to year 1941. Picture of same is given below.

The works include a Chola-era bronze (child-saint Sambandar) stolen from Sayavaram temple in Tamil Nadu, five other bronze or stone sculptures, a brass processional standard, a painted scroll and 6 photos.