A Hero Stone found at Ulturu-Kattemane
A Hero Stone with an inscription was found at Ulturu-Kattemane near Gulladi in Kundapur taluk, Udupi district, in the recent exploration conducted in and around Gulladi on the request of Dr Raghuram Shetty Gulladi says Prof. Murugeshi T., a retired Professor in Ancient History and Archaeology, MSRS College, Shirva in his press release.
The rectangular stone slab about 6 feet in height, contains a sculptural panel at the top and below the panel, an inscription engraved in four lines. It is written in a Kannada language and the script is of 15-16th century characters.
The record opened with an invocation of Lord Ganesh, simply as Shri GaNadhipathaye Namah, Projothpatti Savatsara, Shu 10 lu and mentioned one Lavamaaluva and Valeya a servant (name lost) hatanaage (died). Someone (name lost) erected this hero stone. Be it well (Shubhamasthu).
The figures depicted in the panel are very interesting. In the centre, a hero is shown standing in Veerasana, raising his right arm with a sword which is pointed towards the sky and in his left hand holding a shield or Guraani. This figure is shown in royal attire with a Kirita as his headgear. Above this figure, the Moon is on the right and the Sun is on the left. On the left of the central figure a servant holding an Umbrella a royal insignia. On the right another servant stabbed himself with his left hand and in his right hand holding a shield.
The figures of the panel very beautifully narrate an event where a member of a royal family died in an unknown battle, and at that time, his Valera also died with the master by stabbing himself. At present, this stone is worshipped as Bobbaryana Kallu by the local people.
Historical Significance:
The hero stone under study provides very curious inputs of history. The hero stone was found outside the fortified village of Gulladi, where the Chikkayi Tayi inscription is found. Chikkayi Tayi was an Alupa Queen and married Hoysala Ballala III. Alupa queens normally resided in their maternal houses and Gulladi might be a maternal home of Chikkayi Tayi. Lava Aluva was most probably a royal member of Gulladi. After his death, his servant VaLera or VeLevaLi died by stabbing himself. In social stratification VaLera or VeLevaLi is servitude status, therefore he was cremated outside the fortified Gulladi village. Even in Bhuta cult, Bobbarya or Babbu stands in a servitude position only.
I am thankful to Dr Raghuram Shetty Gulladi for his support, Raviraj Shetty, Jayasheel Shetty and the hereditary trustee of Bobbarya Daivasthana of Kattemane Sitaram Shetty and my students for their cooperation.