Posted on: 11 August 2013

Kannappa, a hunter, who offers his eyes during a test of his devotion, is shown on the verge of gouging out his eye with an arrow in order to replace the damaged eye of the linga. He places his right foot on one of the linga’s eyes so he knows where to place his own eye. At this point, Śiva’s arm emerges from the linga and grabs his wrist to stop him. A five-hooded snake rises behind the deep blue mukhalinga, set in a carefully moulded pitha placed on a stepped plinth.

Gouache painting on paper, part of an album of seventy paintings of Indian deities.

1830 (circa)
Tiruchirapalli

Inscription Content:
This represents Shiva transforming himself into the Linga, this great object of worship – and a Hunter so struck with astonishment that immediately offered him an eye. Great numbers of men are called Kanappan after the man who offered his kan or Eye.

© Trustees of the British Museum


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Similiar story involving Rama!?

I remember watching a movie based on this story called "Shiva mechhida kannappa" in Kannada..

It's all very PATRIARCHAL -- early brainwashing is the core strategy of every religion bar none. Still, it is possible to enjoy the imaginative variety of myths and legends but at the time time to be aware of their often oppressive power... in this instance phallic fantasy in the extreme:)

Oh I wish I had seen this painting for my book!

Wonderful painting! Love it.

Mary Storm: Thank you for your rare work on the most unusual topic. It was the story of Bedara (hunter) Kanappa that came to my mind when I first saw the title of your book 'Head and Heart : Valour and Self Sacrifice in the Art of India'. This story was immortalized by a movie in Kannada with the same name... http://bit.ly/18ogyEG