In Central Java, there is
an area where there are many ancient temples.
It is called Loro Djonggarang. It
is quite near to Prambanan , both of which are nearby Djogdjakartha.
There is a very beautiful
but strange legend about Loro Djonggarang.
There is a complex of temples. Legend
says that there were one thousand temples there.
Among the many temples, there is
one temple where there is an interesting panel.
The theme of the panel is a scene
from Ramayana.
Ramayana and MahaBharatha
have had a lasting impression upon the culture, art, and traditions of South
East Asia.
The scene depicted is the Vali
Vadhai scene.
Vali and Sugriva were Vanara brothers.
Vali was the elder and he was the king of Kishkindha.
He had a peculiar boon from the
gods. If any enemy tries to attack him from the front, half of the
enemy's strength would go to Vali. Vali, in addition to his own great strength,
would also possess half of the enemy's strength.
He was a great devotee of Siva.
He had once caught Ravana with his tail and imprisoned him.
He had chased Sugriva away, promising
to kill him if he comes back. He also took Sugriva's wife.
Sugriva took refuge with Rama
who promised to kill Vali and give Sugriva, the kingdom of Kishkindha.
Rama proved that he could kill
Vali by shooting thorugh seven maramaram trees with one Rama panam.
Sugriva called Vali for a duel
to death. But Rama could not know the difference between the brothers.
Sugriva came back with defeat.
The second time Suriva wore a
garland to distinguish himself from Vali.
Then he went to call Vali for
a duel again.
Even though Vali was dissuaded
from going to the duel by Vali's wife Thara, who suspected that there
was something sinister that the defeated Sugriva should call for a reduel
so soon.
However, the duel too place.
Rama hid behind a bush and shot
Vali from the back.
You can see that scene in the
panel.
Vali and Sugrivan are at the left
fighting.
Hanuman is seated in the middle.
Rama is seen to be holding his bow, Kothandam.
He is concealed behind a bush which
is depicted by leaves.
He had just released a shot.
Lakshmana is by the side of Rama.
Vali is bent down, showing his back
to Rama.
The arrow is seen to have struck
Vali's back.
The scene is part of a long panel
which is in the form of present day comic books wherein there are strips
of picturs depicting each scene.
The first scene in the panel is
the Vali-Sugriva fight. Rama and Lakshmana are looking on confused
as to who Vali was and who Sugriva was.
The second scene shows Rama shooting
vali.
The last scene shows Sugriva seated
as the king.
What dynamism
and how realistic is the scene picturised in that wonderful sculpure!
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