Gau – Mata: The Maternal Cow

Punyakoti

When I was told that Sidharth is working on a series of cows, it brought to my mind an old and popular folktale. Govina Hadu (Song of the Cow) is a household favorite and is sung, narrated and performed to this day by thousands of people in Karnataka.

Govina Hadu is the story of Punyakoti, a pious and gentle cow, which on a fateful day comes face-to-face with a hungry tiger. As the tiger readies itself to devour the splendid prey, Punyakoti pleads that she be allowed to go home, suckle her calf, return to the tiger and be its delicious meal. The tiger refuses to trust her words, but Punyakoti implores: “Truth is my mother, truth is my father. Truth is my friend, truth is my kith and kin; will I be ever forgiven by the Lord if I deviate from the path of truth?”

After much thought, the tiger relents. Punyakoti goes to her pound, feeds the calf, and bids farewell. She calls upon other cows and begs them to take care of her soon-to-be motherless baby. Her friends and the calf do not want her to return to the tiger. But for Punyakoti, a word is a word, a promise is a promise.

Asking them not to grieve for her, and telling her child to follow the laws of Dharma and righteousness, she walks back to the ravenous tiger, and offers herself to it. The tiger is dumbstruck by Punyakoti’s honesty. A great transformation comes upon the beast and along with it, a sense of pain and guilt. How can I kill you, asks the tiger. “You are like my elder sister; you are the embodiment of truth; and I am the sinner.”
So saying, the tiger jumps from the cliff and dies.

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I locate Punyakoti in Sidharth’s paintings. The symbolic message and humanism of the tale come out strikingly through his visual vocabulary.

In Karnataka (as in many other States), the cow (and the ox) assume multiple roles. With love, admiration and respect, the rural folk garland these animals during festivals and decorate them with colours. Sidharth’s paintings capture these magical moments of celebration.

Looking at the paintings, one wonders, whether the artist who has painted these adorable cows isn’t from Karnataka itself!

Mr. Giridhar Khasnis