Part of: National Current Affairs · See also: UPSC syllabus · UKPSC syllabus
The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology has unearthed two Chola-era Nagapattinam bronze idols. Notably, they show Lord Nataraja and his consort, Goddess Sivakami. Minister A. Rajmohan shared images of the find on X on 30 October 2026. Experts date both idols to about the 12th century AD. So, the find throws fresh light on Nagapattinam as a Chola port.
Inside the Ongoing Excavation
The department began the current dig in Nagapattinam on 3 August, and work still continues. The team found both idols, with their pedestals, at a depth of about one metre. However, reports do not name the exact village or trench. Rajmohan said, “Excavation works are currently underway in Nagapattinam.”
Size and Poses of the Two Idols
First, the standing Nataraja is 110 cm high and 100 cm wide. It has four arms and shows the Ananda Tandava, the dance of bliss. Second, the Sivakami idol is 82 cm high and 23 cm wide. Moreover, she has two arms and stands in the Tribhanga (triple-bend) pose. Experts based the late Chola date on form, iconography, ornaments and pedestal style. According to an official, the idols also reflect metal sculpture schools linked with Chola sea trade.
About Chola Bronzes and Nataraja
Chola South India led bronze casting between the 9th and 13th centuries. Artists used the lost-wax method, which Sanskrit texts call madhuchchhishta vidhana. First, they shaped a wax model and coated it with clay. Then, heat drained the wax, and molten metal filled the mould. Since each mould is broken, every bronze is unique. In the classic Nataraja, a ring of flames surrounds Shiva. Also, his right foot crushes Apasmara, the dwarf of ignorance.
Nagapattinam Bronze Idols: Key Facts for Revision
- Found by: Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology
- Shared: 30 October 2026, by Minister A. Rajmohan
- Nataraja: Four arms, Ananda Tandava, 110 cm high
- Sivakami: Two arms, Tribhanga, 82 cm high
- Period: Late Chola, about the 12th century AD
- Buddhist link: Chudamani Vihara, built in 1006 CE under Rajaraja Chola I
Why the Nagapattinam Bronze Idols Matter for UPSC and UKPSC
Notably, Chola bronzes often appear in art and culture questions. So, remember the two deities, their poses and the lost-wax method. Also, link Nagapattinam with Chola sea trade and the Chudamani Vihara of a Srivijaya king. For official updates, also visit the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology. Next, for a related story, read about India’s new UNESCO Tentative List sites.
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