Collection of Naga snake reliefs at Duong Long tower: Towards making a dossier to propose recognition as a national treasure

Collection of Naga snake reliefs at Duong Long tower: Towards making a dossier to propose recognition as a national treasure

In the Cham tower architecture in Binh Dinh, the image of the Naga snake is most prominently displayed in Duong Long tower (Tay Son district) dating from the 12th - 13th century. The provincial museum is taking steps to compile a scientific dossier to propose the recognition of the "Collection of 5 Naga snake reliefs in Duong Long tower" as a national treasure.

Duong Long Tower is an architectural complex consisting of 3 towers located close together in a straight line along the North - South axis, built on a hill in Binh Hoa and Tay Binh communes (Tay Son district). Duong Long Tower dates back to around the 12th to 13th centuries, and was ranked as a special national monument in 2015.

Provincial Museum staff measure and describe Naga snake reliefs to create scientific records. Photo: NGOC NHUAN

This is the tower cluster most clearly influenced by Khmer art (Angkor period); one of the elements influenced by Khmer culture in the Champa sculpture of Duong Long tower is the image of the Naga snake.

Overall, the three towers in Duong Long have common characteristics in terms of architectural plan, type, composition, and architectural materials. The difference between the towers is the different decorative themes: Images of gods in many postures and dances; animals such as elephants, monkeys, Kala, Naga, Gajasimha faces, etc.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Ngo Van Doanh in the book Ancient Champa Towers: Truth & Legend : “One of the most prominent and artistically valuable features of Duong Long Tower is that almost all the decorative sculptures are carved on stone parts, such as the base of the wall, the eaves, the false doors, the entrance doors... Therefore, no other ancient Champa tower complex has as many stone sculptures as Duong Long.”

“The Naga snake image that decorates the Duong Long tower speaks of the process of cultural exchange and acculturation between the Cham, Indians and Khmer people. However, no matter what artistic form it is expressed in, in Khmer culture, the original Naga snake is still a symbol of water resources and the powers that nature bestows upon humans.

Researcher NGUYEN THANH QUANG

According to researcher Nguyen Thanh Quang, the Naga snakes in Duong Long tower are carved in detail, elaborately, diversely, and decorated quite densely from around the base of the tower to the false doors, main doors, examination cells and the edges around the roof, shown in many different sizes and layouts: 5-headed snakes, 3-headed snakes, 1-headed snakes... "Thousands of carved stone pieces collected in Duong Long tower during archaeological excavations, about 70 - 80% are carved with snake images; in hundreds of valuable sculptures found, snake images make up the majority. It can be said that the Naga snake in Duong Long tower is a special phenomenon in ancient Champa sculpture", researcher Nguyen Thanh Quang said.

The provincial museum is preserving and displaying a collection of Naga snake reliefs to serve the public to visit, learn and research Champa culture in Binh Dinh. All 5 Naga snake reliefs are carved identically, depicting the image of a 5-headed Naga snake, the front side is embossed, the back side is left plain without decorative patterns. The Naga wears a three-tiered pyramid-shaped crown, looking very fierce, the neck is fully bulging, around the neck and body of the snake are decorated with horizontal stripes, the middle of the chest is embossed with a two-layered asterisk pattern...

Mr. Bui Tinh, Director of the Provincial Museum, said: “The image of the Naga snake at Duong Long tower is a fusion of different cultures, creating a unique shape, considered the pinnacle of Champa sculpture. Therefore, this year the Provincial Museum will prepare a scientific dossier to consult the Department of Culture - Sports and Tourism to submit to the Provincial People's Committee to propose the Ministry of Culture - Sports and Tourism to submit to the Prime Minister to recognize the national treasure "Collection of 5 Naga snake reliefs at Duong Long tower".

DOAN NGOC NHUAN

Source: https://baobinhdinh.vn/viewer.aspx?macm=18&macmp=18&mabb=343386