Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jun 21: The controversy surrounding the unicorn icon unearthed by Prof Murugeshi and Prof S  A Krishnaiah does not seem to be dying down at least for the present, as claims and counter-claims as to whether the sculpture is ‘invaluable’ and ‘rarest’ or not, continue to come in.

After artist, Purushottam Adve, stressed that the sculpture in question was not rare, such idols are found at various places of Tulunadu, and also questioned the propriety in terming the sculpture as a combination of three animals, Prof Murugeshi and Prof S A Krishnaiah, hit back. “Purushottam Adve was wrong in expressing his opinion, solely basing it on press reports and pictures, without personally verifying the sculpture. We would have accepted his objection if he was an expert archaeological researcher or historian,” they said. At the same time, they hastened to add that their aim was not to glorify history.

They felt that Adve based his views on the basis of his imaginations. Prof Murugeshi said that they had given the title ‘Hayagajanandi – combination of horse, elephant and bull’ to the sculpture out of their own imagination. He agreed that unicorn idols depicting different animals are found at various spots in Tulunadu.

Reacting to the dispute, retired professor of Karnatak University Dharwad, Dr A Sundar, who is a renowned archaeologist from the state, refuted the claim that it was one of the rarest sculptures. He however, said that he can give his clear opinion only after properly examining documents and records.