Washington DC, March 27 -- Three invaluable antiquities are set to return to India from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art (NMAA) following extensive provenance research confirming that they were illegally removed from the country.

The objects include a 9th-century Shiva Nataraja bronze, a 12th-century Somaskanda sculpture of Shiva and Uma, and a 16th-century depiction of Saint Sundarar with Paravi.

An agreement formalising the return was signed by the Deputy Chief of the Indian Mission in US, Ambassador Namgya Khampa, and NMAA Director Dr Chase Robinson.

According to the Embassy of India in the United States, the Shiva Nataraja bronze will remain on long-term loan to the Smithsonian, allowing the public to view it and appr...