Current context : Recently, Oxford University has agreed to return a 500-year-old bronze sculpture of a Hindu poet and saint to India.

• The 60 cm-tall statue of Saint Tirumankai Alvar was acquired by the Ashmolean Museum at the University of Oxford from Sotheby’s auction house in 1967.

ABOUT

• Thirumangai Alvar, also known as Thirumangai Mannan is the last of the 12 Alvar saints of south India.
• He is known for their affiliation to the Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism.
• He is considered one of the most learned Alvars and the most superior Alvar in the context of composition of
• He holds the title Narkavi Perumal, the mark of an excellent poet.
• A temple was dedicated to Thirumangai in Hampi Vitthala temple complex.