Exhibition displays returned stone sculptures from Australia

Three stone sculptures -- Seated Buddha; Worshippers of Buddha; and Goddess Pratyangira -- which were brought back from Australia have been put on display at an exhibition titled "Return of the Three Stone Sculptures from Australia to India".

The exhibition, which is being organised at the National Museum here, was inaugurated by Minister of State for Culture and Tourism Mahesh Sharma on Tuesday.

"This exhibition is important as it celebrates the return of rare heritage sculptures that were stolen from the country," said a Ministry of Culture statement.

The sculptures were purchased by National Gallery of Australia from Nancy Wiener, New York in 2007 and Art of the Past, New York, 2005, the statement further addded.

The minister attended a special event at National Gallery of Australia (NGA) in Canberra, Australia in which Senator Mitch Fifield formally handed over the three ancient artefacts stolen and smuggled out of India and inadvertently acquired by National Gallery of Australia.

Earlier, during the visit of Australian Prime Minister to India in September, 2014, the Australian government had also returned sculpture of 'Dancing Shiva'.

--IANS

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