Kao (bull)
Other name(s) | Kau, Kaw, Cao, Cau, Caw, Cow |
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Country |
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Region | Moirang, Manipur |
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Kao (
Mythology
Kongyamba, a rich nobleman of the
Embassy to Khuman kingdom
The king of
Capture by Khamba
Khamnu revealed a secret to Khamba. She said that the bull had once belonged to their father. She told him that if Khamba told the bull their father's name, it would be tame and gentle:
On the day of the adventure, Khamba stood face to face with the bull. The bull ran towards him with its dangerous horns. Khamba bent a little to the side. The people watching asked him if he was afraid. Khamba answered that he was waiting for a good position. Then, he stood on firm ground and caught the bull. The strong bull carried him away into the thick woods.[8] Khamba did everything as his sister had told him to do. Immediately, the wild bull became tame and gentle. Khamba brought the bull back.[8][7]
On the way back, Kongyamba came to him before anyone saw them. Kongyamba pretended to help Khamba to hold the bull. Kongyamba held the rope. When everyone saw, Kongyamba claimed that he had captured the bull. He added that he even rescued Khamba who had fallen into the ditch. Once again, there was a great conflict between Khamba and Kongyamba over the claim. The two kings could not find out who was right. So, Kongyamba was asked to fight the bull within an enclosure. But Kongyamba was afraid of the bull. He climbed up on the heights to save himself. Khamba faced the bull bravely. He once again captured the bull.[8][7]
In popular culture
In popular culture, Kao appears in arts, books, movies, theatres and many others.
Painting
Khambana Kao Phaba
In 2001, Khambana Kao Phaba (painting) was kept in the permanent collection of the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS) Museum, Bhopal, India. In July 2019, the painting was selected as the "Exhibit of the Month" in the same museum.[9]
Theatre
Kao, the sacred bull
In 2011, "Kao, the sacred bull" was produced by the
Kao Faba
In 2020, a Shumang Kumhei named "Kao Faba" was produced by Western Cultural Association in Manipur. It was sponsored by the Sangeet Natak Akedemi of New Delhi, India. The play was released in the Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound, Imphal. The play is based on the legend of capturing the bull in Ancient Moirang.[12][13][14]
See also
Notes
- ^ also pronounced as "Cow" ("/kaʊ/")
References
- ^ E. Ishwarjit (2005). Manipur, a Tourist Paradise. B.R. Publishing Corporation. ISBN 978-81-7646-506-9.
- ISBN 978-93-91145-59-0.
- ISBN 979-8-6942-6317-7.
- ISBN 978-81-246-0182-2.
- ^ Hodson, T. C. (Thomas Callan) (1908). The Meitheis. Duke University Libraries. London: London, D. Nutt. p. 142.
- ^ a b c d e Hodson, T. C. (Thomas Callan) (1908). The Meitheis. Duke University Libraries. London, D. Nutt. p. 192.
- ^ a b c d Indian Antiquary. Popular Prakashan. 1877. p. 222.
- ^ a b c d Hodson, T. C. (Thomas Callan) (1908). The Meitheis. Duke University Libraries. London, D. Nutt. p. 144.
- ^ "Traditional Manipuri painting 'Khambana Kao Phaba' on display - Times of India". The Times of India. 24 July 2019.
- ^ "KAO - A Glimpse of Manipuri Opera". e-pao.net.
- ^ ""Kao - the sacred bull" by Laihui on 6 March 2011". e-pao.net.
- ^ "Kao Faba displayed". e-pao.net.
- ^ "Kao Faba displayed". www.thesangaiexpress.com.
- ^ "Kao Faba displayed". thesangaiexpress.com.