We have great pleasure in releasing this picture for the first time..
This is a sand-stone Ganesa statue which was found at the site of ancient Kadaram.
Kadaram was one of the first colonies of the Tamils in South East Asia.
It dates from at least the the first century B.C. It was one the chief sorces
for gold. It is the only place which possesses a rock inscription which is
in Post-Brahmi script(Cherok Tokun Inscription). This could be around 4th
century A.D.
Kadaram was a powerful and prosperous kingdom which was situated in the
north-western part Peninsular Malaysia. It is, at present known as Kedah,
Perlis, and Penang.
The Ganesa statue has been dated as being anything earlier than the 5th
century A.D.
The Statue at present is thoroughly weather-worn. It shows a rudimentary
representation of Ganesa's features.
The elephantine head is visible togethr with a curved trunk. The ears, chest
and the pot-belly are also seen well. The tusks are not discernible well.
The right hand is clearly visible while we can also make out the left hand..
The seated posture is significant.
As such, this Ganesa predates the Vatapi Ganapathi.
Ganesa worship in Tamilnadu - specifically Pandya nadu, is certainly earlier than the Vatapi campaign of Narasimha Varma Pallavar. His commander-in-chief, Paranjothi is said to have brought a statue of Ganesa and kept it in the Siva Temple of his home town - ThiruChengaatangudi.
But Saint Appar has mentioned about Ganesa in his 'anjuvathu yaathonRum illai' thirupadhikam.
This thiruppadhikam predates the Vatapi campaign of Narasimha Pallava by more than forty years.
But this Ganesa of Kadaram is very much earlier than anything in Tamilnadu. The features in the statue are rather rudimentary and simple in form. Due to its age, the statue has worn out and shows signs of erosion. Presently it is in the Archealogical Museum of Bujang Valley. Bujang Valley is a place where several temple ruins have been found. Some of these temple remains have been restored as much as can be done.