Title : Bhuta Figure- Nandi Bull
Accession No : 83/B/52
"Nandikeshvara, the bull deity and vehicle of lord Shiva. Nandikeshvara is represented as a bull having two horns as usual, but its head is raised upwards with an outstretched tongue. This sculpture is remarkable for its pent-up energy and realistic rendering. Nandikeshvara, the chief of the bhuta ganas or attendants of Shiva, is the prime deity of the shrine at Mekkekattu. According to one version of the myth, sage Jambukeshvara who was performing penance in this region employed Nandi to protect himself. Later, bhutas from several places were also attracted to this area and began terrorising the local villagers for a shrine for themselves. Nandikeshvara daivasthana was, therefore, built to appease these spiritual beings. "
Gallery
Source
- RepositoryNational Crafts Museum and Hastkala Academy
- CollectionMuseum Collection
Provenance
- CountryIndia
- StateKarnataka
- DistrictBengaluru
Period
- Start DateLate 18th century
Condition
- ConditionGood
- Action NoteCNR
Contributor
- Community / TribeFisherman
Dimensions
- Measurement (CMS)51 x 41 x 20
- Weight (GRMS)0.00
Significance
- ReligiousBhuta are the demigods which are worshiped for specifically to save the village from the evil spirits. These figures can be either human figure, animal or elements. This ritual of worshipping the figurines is prevalent in the Tulu Nadu area of Karnataka which is known as Bhuta Kola.
- Socio economicThe Hindu community in the coastal areas, especially the fisherman community of Manglore district, Karnataka believe in the worship of supernatural beings and divine ancestral spirits known as 'Bhutas'. Hence, Bhuta figures translate to worshipping of divine beings.
- ArtisticBhuta Figures are taken from ancient beliefs and it is produced in the Basrur region of Udupi, Karnataka. The normal size of the figure may vary from 31 cm to 457 cm.
Description
- Description"Nandikeshvara, the bull deity and vehicle of lord Shiva. Nandikeshvara is represented as a bull having two horns as usual, but its head is raised upwards with an outstretched tongue. This sculpture is remarkable for its pent-up energy and realistic rendering. Nandikeshvara, the chief of the bhuta ganas or attendants of Shiva, is the prime deity of the shrine at Mekkekattu. According to one version of the myth, sage Jambukeshvara who was performing penance in this region employed Nandi to protect himself. Later, bhutas from several places were also attracted to this area and began terrorising the local villagers for a shrine for themselves. Nandikeshvara daivasthana was, therefore, built to appease these spiritual beings. "
- Inscription/Markings No
- Reference"Aditi Ranjan, M P Ranjan (2005). Crafts of India, Handmade in India, National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad: Mapin Pub. ISBN 81-88204-57-9. Jain, Jyotindra; Aggarwala, Aarti (1989). National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum, New Delhi. Ahmedabad: Mapin Pub. ISBN 978-0-944142-23-3."
- KeywordNandikesha, Nandikeshvara, Bull, Deity, Vehicle, Lord Shiva