V Narayana Murthi
Express Buzz - Tamilnadu (India)
VELLORE: The six-foot Shiva Lingam (minus the base), which was for the first time unearthed in the Palar riverbed near Pallikonda on May 18, has raised an interesting debate on the age of this beautiful stone carving that has been lodged at the Government Museum here.
The green Lingam is carved out of a single piece of stone that symbolizes the union of the three divinities of the Hindu trinity, Brahma (represented by the cubic base), Vishnu (by the octagonal section) and Shiva (the top portion). While the museum officials estimate the age of this lingam to be around four hundred years, linking the artefact to the Vijayanagar Naikkar period, whose rulers had built the famous Vellore fort, the possibility of its existence in the much earlier Pallava or Chola period is gaining grounds.
S Asokan, a businessman from Ambur, who had recently visited Cambodia, had brought back with him a model of a Shiva lingam, which in fact resembles the one that was found in the Palar bed. Quoting a book by Emma C Bunker and Douglas Latchford titled ‘Adoration and Glory-The golden age of Khmer Art’, he said that the design of the lingams found in the temples of Cambodia and in the museums in that country were dated to belong to the 10th and 11th centuries during the Angkor Vat period.
According to historians, Cambodia, earlier known as Kampuchea is a culturally rich country, which was in fact ruled by the Tamil kings of South India then. The influence of art and culture on Cambodia was, however, most vigorous and prolific during the rule of the Pallavas (third to ninth centuries) and Cholas (ninth to 13th centuries) in South India. Given the fact that temples with Chola and Pallava architecture are in existence in many places, more particularly in Kalathur near Wallajah in Vellore district, the unearthed Lingam could very well be a piece of work dating back to the Pallavas or the Cholas. Going by this logic alone, the Pallikonda piece must be at least 1,200 years old, as the region had once been held sway by the Pallavas! Of course, this is mere conjecture unless ascertained by the experts in the Archeological department.
The green Lingam is carved out of a single piece of stone that symbolizes the union of the three divinities of the Hindu trinity, Brahma (represented by the cubic base), Vishnu (by the octagonal section) and Shiva (the top portion). While the museum officials estimate the age of this lingam to be around four hundred years, linking the artefact to the Vijayanagar Naikkar period, whose rulers had built the famous Vellore fort, the possibility of its existence in the much earlier Pallava or Chola period is gaining grounds.
S Asokan, a businessman from Ambur, who had recently visited Cambodia, had brought back with him a model of a Shiva lingam, which in fact resembles the one that was found in the Palar bed. Quoting a book by Emma C Bunker and Douglas Latchford titled ‘Adoration and Glory-The golden age of Khmer Art’, he said that the design of the lingams found in the temples of Cambodia and in the museums in that country were dated to belong to the 10th and 11th centuries during the Angkor Vat period.
According to historians, Cambodia, earlier known as Kampuchea is a culturally rich country, which was in fact ruled by the Tamil kings of South India then. The influence of art and culture on Cambodia was, however, most vigorous and prolific during the rule of the Pallavas (third to ninth centuries) and Cholas (ninth to 13th centuries) in South India. Given the fact that temples with Chola and Pallava architecture are in existence in many places, more particularly in Kalathur near Wallajah in Vellore district, the unearthed Lingam could very well be a piece of work dating back to the Pallavas or the Cholas. Going by this logic alone, the Pallikonda piece must be at least 1,200 years old, as the region had once been held sway by the Pallavas! Of course, this is mere conjecture unless ascertained by the experts in the Archeological department.
10 comments:
What an amazing artifact. Cambodia is so rich in culture and arts. Unlike Thailand who stole everything Cambodia owns, this finding is remarkable and is for us to enjoy and study.
"According to historians,.." Which Historians? The ones that say India is over a million years old?
The Lingam in question which the author claims resembles the Khmer lingam dates only to 400 years ago.
400 years ago, 17th century, the Khmer kingdom was in decline. Khmers had lost contact with India over a thousands years back and apart from adopting many customs and traditions since the early first century -5th century , Kampuchea had mostly trade with China and other Oriental country post Funan period.
A Tamil ruled Angkor would definitely been inscribed on some Steele and have definite written accounts in Tamil record would it not? And a stone inscription would not say if "I my meritorious acts were to be rewarded I wish to be born in Kambuja again", it would say I wish to be born under Tamil again.
Then again, we're talking about a depiction of a dick. A really big black stone dick. Whose design have been patterned and copied over and over again with little change since it was was thought up in India.
There isn't too many way to draw a dick besides it's erect horny position you know - especially if you want to mean something. You know what I mean?
I am glad India has suddenly taken keen interest in our nation and trying to re-establish cultural links again. But i do not agree with them downplaying our history.
We appreciate and honor the Indian creativeness and inventive and beautiful culture that has been imparted to us. And always look toward that country as our elder brother.
But won't take pseudo-race based feel good histories like India culture is over million years old. People can really fly, and ancient Indians have nuclear weapons.
India's newspapers are full of this stuff.
I have met one Tamil living in Cambodia who actually believes that Cambodia's kings were Indian conquerors. In reply I asked him, simply, "Have you seen the portrait of Jayavarman the 7th?"
It is abundantly obvious that Cambodia's kings, including Jayavarman VII, were not Indian. However, the presence of sculptures imported from India is "excuse enough" for some to let their imaginations run wild.
we use to have siemes wanna be khmer and now we got the indian also cliam they are khmer also?
Tamil = To-mi-lar = manus plee pler
Pouk a Tmil did stolen our lingam. it should be return to the original owner.
What the fuck!! hard to understand the acticle!
Hey! hey! hey! finding is a finding artifac is an artifac!
Only a "DICK" but this dick represent Art and religion! And an Art has identity!
And howmany khmer art are in Tamil or event Malasia! Or Tamil art in Cambodia/
SO is Khmer use to rulr Tamill or Tamill rule Khmer??????? Think! Who is the bigest house and who make the copy or force to make some small copy?
i think i'll leave this piece of history to the khmer historians/experts to study further and reveal the truth, etc...
Khmer mixed Indian in the ancient time. King Kaudinya was originated Indian from Kalinga and King Kampu was originated Indian from Kambodja but they married with Khmer native Soma and Mera and called themselves KHMER because they did not want to be Indian.
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