What is the meaning behind this gandik type?

Bjorn · 10th February 2013, 10:30 PM

Alan, do you have any idea of when the Hanuman-naga combination became known/popular in Bali? I have seen it on only 3 keris so far but have noticed that it is rather more prevalent in woodcrafts that show Hanuman fighting with a naga.

On the net I have come across several mentions of encounters between Hanuman and naga, but as you pointed out there are many local variations of the Indian epics so I have no idea what the Balinese connection is or how young/old it would be. Might it be possible that it was already known on Bali before it became depicted on keris?

A. G. Maisey · 11th February 2013, 04:20 AM

Yuuzan, I've just done a few google searches using different combinations of naga:hanuman:vasuki:fight:connection:association --- &etc&etc&etc and in all results down to page 5 I can only find advertisements for oil, accountants, wood carvings and so on; I cannot find a single entry for any of these search term combinations from a legitimate Hindu site.

As to when the motif became popular, I have not the slightest idea. I think I've probably been seeing it since the 1970's. It is a very popular motif, but that does not mean that it has a legitimate religious or mythological foundation, it simply means that it is a motif that translates well into art work, and pleasing art work translates well into $$$$.

I'm not saying here that it does not have a religious or mythological foundation, I'm saying I do not know of one, and in spite of looking for such a relationship in my own resources, plus about 30 minutes with Dr. Google, I cannot find one.

When we try to interpret these things its a very good idea to start from a point that may give us some indication of whether or not we are looking at a continuation of tradition, or a creation influenced by non-traditional motives (that is motive with a 'v', not motif with an 'f'). Once we move into the era of Balinese tourism, probably roughly the mid-1930's we must be very careful with our interpretations.

10th February 2013, 10:30 PM	#1
Bjorn Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 188	Alan, do you have any idea of when the Hanuman-naga combination became known/popular in Bali? I have seen it on only 3 keris so far but have noticed that it is rather more prevalent in woodcrafts that show Hanuman fighting with a naga. On the net I have come across several mentions of encounters between Hanuman and naga, but as you pointed out there are many local variations of the Indian epics so I have no idea what the Balinese connection is or how young/old it would be. Might it be possible that it was already known on Bali before it became depicted on keris?

11th February 2013, 04:20 AM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	Yuuzan, I've just done a few google searches using different combinations of naga:hanuman:vasuki:fight:connection:association --- &etc&etc&etc and in all results down to page 5 I can only find advertisements for oil, accountants, wood carvings and so on; I cannot find a single entry for any of these search term combinations from a legitimate Hindu site. As to when the motif became popular, I have not the slightest idea. I think I've probably been seeing it since the 1970's. It is a very popular motif, but that does not mean that it has a legitimate religious or mythological foundation, it simply means that it is a motif that translates well into art work, and pleasing art work translates well into $$$$. I'm not saying here that it does not have a religious or mythological foundation, I'm saying I do not know of one, and in spite of looking for such a relationship in my own resources, plus about 30 minutes with Dr. Google, I cannot find one. When we try to interpret these things its a very good idea to start from a point that may give us some indication of whether or not we are looking at a continuation of tradition, or a creation influenced by non-traditional motives (that is motive with a 'v', not motif with an 'f'). Once we move into the era of Balinese tourism, probably roughly the mid-1930's we must be very careful with our interpretations.