In an archaeological exploration conducted in the Vakwadi villege in Kundapura taluk of the Udupi district by the Adima Kala Trust (R.), Udupi today on the request of Kavitha Kulal of Vakwadi a rare Deer hunting Hero-stone found at Dyagala Mane Babu Shetty compound in Vakwadi says Prof. T. Murugeshi, an archaeologist and founder terustee of Adima Kala Trust (R.), Udupi.
On a rectangular stone slab about 45 inch in height and 22.5 inch width figures are depicted in three panels. In the lower panel two heroes are shown holding their hunting dogs. In the middle prominent panel two heroes are shown standing in right side, the first one is held Bow in his left hand and second one is held an arrow or spear in his left hand which is shown pierced through the neck of a deer. On top panel two heroes shown sitting in salute posture on the left and right side of Lingam. On the top of the Lingam a Dravidian style of Vimana is depicted. The lines in drawing the dogs and deer’s are very sharply differentiated.
The hunting Hero-stones are commonly found in South India and Karnataka as well. But very rarely found in Tulu country. The present hunting hero-stone is the second of its kind in Tulu country. The first one found in Someshwara in Hebri taluk of the Udupi district.
Dating:
No writing found on the Hero stone, hence the dating is very difficult. The Lingam found on a high plinth is very curious. Long Lingams in cylindrical form on high plinth were commonly found in the 8-10th century Shaiva temples of Tulunad. The Lingam found on the Hero stone is also looks like as found in the temples of 8-10th century. Therefore it can be placed between 9-10th century A.D.
Importance:
The heroes depicted on the stone wore the necklace (KantaBrana), Bhujakirti, Tolabandhi, Kadaga, ear rings, small dagger in the waist and all these things very clearly indicate that the hunting heroes are not a common people, might have been the princes of the Alupa royal family.
The hero stone under study is historically very important due to its depiction of antler deer’s. From thousands of years the antler deer’s roaming in the Mookambika wild life forests even today. Hunting of wild boars and other animals is commonly found but, deer hunting is very rare. More over the death of hunting heroes in deer hunting is a rarest example in history.
Thankful to Kavitha Kulal of Vakwadi, Babu Shetty, Nagaraj Acharya and Unnati for their whole hearted support and Pradeep Basrur, Ganesh Raj Saralebettu and Prabhu for their co operation in this research.
Prof. Murugeshi T
Ph:9482520933.