Tamil Nadu: Two Antique Chola Era Idols Seized From Dakshinachitra Museum

The issue came to light after a temple sculptor who was recently arrested in connection with a case for stealing and hiding antique idols in 2012 revealed that he donated two idols to the museum.

The two stolen idols

Chennai: Tamil Nadu idol wing CID on Thursday recovered two Chola era idols from Dakishnachitra museum and art gallery on ECR near Chennai. Dakshinachitra museum is managed by Madras Craft Foundation. 

According to a report in Times of India, the two antique idols were retrieved after a temple sculptor who was recently arrested in connection with a case for stealing and hiding antique idols in 2012 revealed that he donated two idols to the museum. 

G Masilamani (69) of Swamimalai near Thanjavur was arrested for misappropriating idols from Sivakanchi temple. He had stolen the idols and kept eight antique idols at his workplace in Swamimalai. In 2012, the police learned about the misappropriation and seized the idols from his premises. 

Later, he revealed that he handed over two idols–Veenadharar and Rishabh Shar–to Dakshinachitra museum. 

On Thursday, a police team led by DSPs Muthuraja and Mohan raided the museum. In the search, the officers found the two antique idols of Veenadharar and Rishabh Dhar without any documents. 

The idol wing then confiscated the idols. A formal complaint against Masilamani was also registered for offering the stolen idols.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu idol wing seized seven Chola-era idols from a house at RA Puram in Chennai last week. The idol wing in a statement said that some of the idols had markings and slots for fixing on temple palanquins.

The police said that they seized the idols after the owner of the house did not have any proper documents regarding the idols. The idol wing seized Krishna, Parvati, Buddha, Tara statue, Goddess statue, Parvati in sitting posture and one more Buddha statue. They also seized two paintings from the house, said a report on IANS.