Kutai as the oldest kingdom has remarked the influence of Hindi culture in Indonesia. The historical evidence of this kingdom in East Kalimantan was written on an inscription in the form of “yupa” in Sanskrit. This artwork depicts lembuswana, the mythological creature of Kutai which was believed to be the King Mulawarman’s spiritual vehicle, based on the Lembuswana monument which is built in Jogjakarta, along with the two hydras as the Mahakam river’s spirit guard.
Lembuswana is Batara Guru which is mentioned in the philosophy “Paksi leman gangga yakso" which means crowned cow but not a king, trunked but not an elephant, scaled but not a dragon, winged but not a bird, and so on. Those mean that a person has to have the noble nature as a leader.
This lembuswana is depicted with Hindi ornaments that elaborate the natural elements with young, colorful, and contemporary atmosphere.
The water-dragon here is the other myhtological creature believed to live along the river Mahakam, the longest river in Kalimantan
Lembusvana
40 x 55 cm
An artwork for 17 Detik Exhibition IAF 2013
May 2013 - June 2013
Esplanade Theater Link Window Display,
Singapore
17 Detik is an exhibition held under the event Indonesian Arts Festival 2013 by PPI Sungapore, as the appreciations towards Indonesian arts and culture.
