Daijiworld Media Network - Chikkamagaluru (SP)

Chikkamagaluru, Aug 1: During her exploration of the area, Dr Suprreetha K N Kalasa has discovered a stone memorial sculpture depicting tiger hunt in Basrikallu area at Samse in Kalasa taluk in the district. This sculpture dates back to the 12th century.

The memorial sculpture is six feet long and three feet wide. It has been divided into five parts. In the first phase, the stone culture shows two valiant men saving cows from the clutches of a tiger. The men have bows and arrows in their hands and are accompanied by a dog. In the second part, the men are being led to the battlefield in a palanquin. A cavalry of horses is seen accompanying the fighter. In the third part, the gallant man is seen fighting with enemies with bow and arrows. In the fourth depiction, the man who died in the battle is shown with hands folded with sages to the left and celestial women with giant fans serving him on the right. In the last one, a sage offering puja to the Lingam of Lord Shiva along with Nandi and cow and calf are seen.

This memorial sculpture now discovered is unique from the point of view of study. Even though this memorial was created in memory of a gallant man in war, he had fought with a tiger and saved cows and the sculpture is aimed at recording the courage of the man all in a single sculpture.

Suanth K N supported the work of exploration.