Phu Yen receives decision to recognize Kala Ba Mountain relief as national treasure

Phu Yen province receives the Prime Minister's decision to recognize the Kala Ba Mountain relief as a national treasure - Photo: MINH CHIEN

On the morning of April 1, at Phu Yen Provincial Museum, Phu Yen Provincial People's Committee held a ceremony to announce the Prime Minister's decision to recognize the Kala Nui Ba relief as a national treasure.

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Chi Hoang - former Deputy Director of the Southern Institute of Social Sciences, member of the National Cultural Heritage Council - Kala Nui Ba with its artifact on the ear-shaped stone block, delicate carvings, layout and shaping techniques have created a Kala with its own unique spirit compared to Kala discovered in other Cham relics.

Kala Nui Ba dates back to around the 14th century, is a relic that reached the pinnacle of the Champa culture's technical creation and sculptural art, meeting the criteria and was recognized as a national treasure by the Prime Minister on December 31, 2024.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Dao My - Vice Chairman of Phu Yen Provincial People's Committee - said: "The recognition of Kala Nui Ba relief as a national treasure is not only the pride of Phu Yen, but also an opportunity for the locality to promote the conservation and promotion of Champa cultural heritage. We are committed to continuing to preserve and promote the value of the treasure, associated with tourism development and community education".

Close-up of the national treasure Kala Nui Ba relief - Photo: MINH CHIEN

The Kala relief was discovered in the excavation pit of Ba Mountain relic (My Thanh Dong village, Hoa Phong commune, Tay Hoa district) and brought to the Provincial Museum in 1993. This is a sculpture made of Dacite Rhyolite Tup stone (60cm high, 44cm wide, 17cm thick, weighs 105.5kg).

This is the only artifact, belonging to the late Thap Mam style, the last Kala head to remain intact, with only the nose broken off. To date, no Kala head dating back to the 14th century has been discovered.

In Champa sculpture, Kala is a symbol of Shiva - the destroyer and creator of the universe in Hinduism.

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MINH CHIEN

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/phu-yen-don-nhan-quyet-dinh-cong-nhan-bao-vat-quoc-gia-phu-dieu-kala-nui-ba-20250401113502496.htm