The relief is carved on rock, located near Goa Gajah, between rice field and ravine. The site was
rediscovered in 1925. In 1949 a simple protection was laid out to avoid water flowing on the surface
of the relief. It looks like panel with the size of 25 x 2 meters.
The figures showing mixed between the fairy tales of
wayang ( puppet show ) and like a common people. If
we see the area of Pejeng, it is rich with ancient stone
carvings, and also wayang figure is found near the village
of Pejeng preserved at a temple called " Arjuna
Metapa " From the site itself it is hard to give
estimated date of the construction. From iconographic
study we can only use as typological date based on the
ancient relief of Candi Penataran in east Java.. It
is commonly agreed that Penataran temple was constructed
during the end of Majapahit kingdom, around 1400 AD.
If it is associated with the chronicle about Wayang
puppet in Bali, it was around 16th century, when Bali
kingdom controlled Blambangan kingdom ( now Banyuwangi
regency ). According to the chronicle during the attack
of Blambangan, a box full of wayang puppet were confiscated
and were brought to the palace in Klungkung. In Klungkung
near the capital city of the kingdom was the first wayang
style introduced by a painter inspired by the wayang
figure brought from Java. The place is now known as
Kamasan village. So it was probable that this rock carving
was made around this period.
An important aspect from this art is that a new style
had emerged. It is well understood that the art of Bali
during ancient time was very idealistic and superhuman
in nature, but this Yeh Pulu relief showing realistic
and vigorous nature. It is hard to understand why the
artist had deviated from the rules at the time. They
did not only carved wayang figures but also human figures.
The whole scene of the relief
is divided into 5 episodes:
- In this episode one figure is interesting that a man is carrying something with pole on his shoulder, look like a guci ( English " Urn "). In Bali guci is a place for palm wine ( Bali : tuak ).
- One of the important figure is a dwarf like person with ascetic's turban which is the prototype of present day Bali priest's crown.
- Showing a bear hunters in attacking the bear and a man sitting on horse,
- Two men carrying bear with pole,
- A woman holding the tail of a horse.
So far it there is no traditional
story that could be used to identify what is actually the depiction of
these all. An extensive local folk tales have been recorded, but no one
seems explaining the episodes. |
