KELVINGROVE: THE STORY OF VIDHURA-PANDITA

Now here's the sort of display item that might not be acquired today, no matter its cultural worth. Few people would see past the fact that this is made of ivory.



The carvings on this Burmese elephant tusk tell a story of the triumph of good over evil.

Vidhura-Pandita is the Buddha in the form of a wise man. He is chief adviser to King

Dhananjaya. King Dhananjaya is the good ruler of the city of Indapatta.

Other prominent characters from the story represented on the tusk include: the naga spirit king (all nagas wear a pointed snake headdress); Princess Irandati (the naga king’s daughter); Punnaka, a demon (he’s wearing a demon mask on top of his head).