Amid reports that a part of the precious 2nd century BC Yaksha statue has been broken, Indian Museum authorities today said a joint at the bottom of the sculpture has come off and will be pasted back.
"That portion of the leg, which fell off recently was actually a joint. It is a case of flaking. We will paste it back soon," a museum spokesperson said denying reports that the part of the sculpture broke due to negligence.
"We have evidence to prove that the joint fell off due to natural process. Vehicles ply regularly along the Chowringhee Road and a flyover is located just next to the museum. Besides, the Metro train is also there. All these lead to heavy vibrations and at times it may affect the sculptures," museum official Ashok Tripathy said.
The preservation section of the museum has already submitted a report in this regard.
From Madhya Pradesh's Bharhut, the Yaksha sculpture has a male figure standing on a human headed 'Makara' (scorpion).
