We had earlier seen Rama aiming at Vali in the amazing miniature from Darasuram. To see the next part of the story we travel to Cambodia. We have seen many panels from the Banteay Srei complex. This is another excellent one.
We see the story progressing left to right ( right to left as you view it)
Watch carefully the pose of Rama – he has just discharged his arrow. The right hand is a definite give away ( look at the delightful detailing of the bow – even to the knot at the bottom)
Lets look at the two fighting brothers – that they are monkeys is obvious, but see the masterly depiction of their feet – monkey feet. The hands are depicted as humans though. See Vaali’s clenched fist ready to deliver a massive blow to Sugreev. The ferociousness of the battle has been superbly caught by the sculptor in the face of the two fighting brothers.
The next scene in the storyboard is also shown – Vaali is felled by the arrow, mortally wonded, he is shown grabbing the arrow. Who is holding him up – he seems to have fallen down and is held up protectively – is it his Tara. ( see the slight differentiation between the two facial features). A standing Sugreev is shown looking over at his slain brother.
Vali is shown with a questioning look – he seems shocked and very angry. To understand what transpired, we need to look back at the text of the Ramayana. The southern version ( tamil) says that Vaali was very angry with Rama for having shot him from an ambush position, which doesn’t quite befit a noble warrior. He has a heated argument with Rama and Lakshmana, questioning the disgraceful act. Rama then goes on to explain to him his need to uphold righteousness and how Vaali has turned against the right path and banished his own brother and usurped his wedded wife!
wow…splendid. The ‘aakrosham’ in the face of the fighting duo and the shock and fear in the slain vaali and tara’s face are extrordinary. Thanks for the wonderful post Vijay.
விலங்குகள் சிரிக்குமா? அல்லது முகத்தில் துக்கம்தான் காட்டிடுமா? என்று கேட்பவர்களுக்கு பதில் இங்கே இருக்கிறது! சிரிப்பில்லை, ஆனால் வீழ்ந்துகிடக்கும் வாலியின் முகத்திலும் தாரையின் முகத்திலும் உள்ள வேதனையும், வஞ்சத்தால் வீழ்ந்தோமே என்ற ஏமாற்றம் கலந்த வேதனையின் வெளிப்பாடு அழகாக எடுத்துக்காட்டப் பட்டிருக்கிறது.
வீழ்ந்த வாலியின் கை அம்பை பிடித்திருக்கும் விதத்தை பாருங்கள், மனிதர்களால் அவ்வாறு கையை மடிப்பது கடினம். கால்களில் வித்தியாசத்தை காட்டிய சிற்பி கைகளை ஒன்றுபோல் படைத்தது ஏனோ தெரியவில்லை! சாதாரணமாக கடுவன் குரங்குகள் நடந்தாலே வால் வில்லைப்போல் வளைந்து நுனி மேல் நோக்கிதான் இருக்கும், இங்கு சண்டையிடும் கடுவன்களின் வால்கள் அப்பப்பா என்ன விறைப்பாக வானத்தைப் பார்க்கின்றன! அதிஅற்புதமான சிற்பங்கள் நன்றி விஜய்.
Amazing sculpture, amazing detail. Wish I see this in person soon. It is just a 100KM from my native, will make it a point to visit here nexttime.
Superb presentation by both, the sculptor as well as you in this post.
hi satish and satheesh
Yes, the expressions are truly remarkable.
Siva, presume yuo meant this for the Darasuram Vaali vadham sculpture
Tks PNS – its regular visitors like you who keep us inspired to go on
rgds
vj
Again, Pullamangai pulls me, is vali vadham from Pullamangai available?
அருமையான பாவங்கள். நன்றி.
sir
I was amazed to see this web site today …it is a great service to Tamil world
i wish You must continue this noble service
with best regards
S.A.Alagarsamy
Great point of view. Keep writing