The Tamil Nadu archaeology department has unearthed two Chola-era bronze idols of Nataraja and Sivakami during an excavation in Nagapattinam, offering new evidence of the historic port city’s religious and craft traditions. Archaeology minister A Rajmohan announced the discovery on Friday.
The idols, found at a depth of one metre, are believed from their iconography and workmanship to date to the 12th century. The Cholas ruled the region from the 9th to the 13th century CE, when Nagapattinam was a major port and a centre of commercial, maritime and religious activity.
The Nataraja idol measures 110cm in height and 100cm in width. It depicts Shiva in the ananda tandava pose, with four arms. Its lower right hand is shown in abhaya mudra, while the upper right hand holds a drum and the upper left carries a flame. The lower left hand displays the gajahasta mudra. One foot rests on the demon Muyalaka and the other is raised.
The Sivakami idol is 82cm tall and 23cm wide. It is shown in the tribhanga posture, with the right hand displaying the kataka mudra and the left hand showing the dolahasta mudra. Both idols were found on pedestals.
Professor K Rajan, adviser to the state archaeology department, described the bronzes as masterpieces with fine workmanship and said they may have been buried for safekeeping. K Vasanthakumar, who led the excavation, said the team was investigating why hundreds of Chola-era bronzes had been buried in Nagapattinam.
The discovery also adds to understanding of Nagapattinam as an urban centre rather than only a historic port. Retired Tamil University professor V Selvakumar said the city had a port, manufacturing units, merchant guilds, craft workers, military and naval facilities, and several religious shrines. Traders, pilgrims and diplomats visited the city, he said, while the idols may have been buried during invasions in a later period.
The idols have been taken to Chennai for chemical treatment. A metallurgical analysis will determine the composition of the materials used in their manufacture.
