YouTube Video Thumbnail

The South East Asian Review

Founded by Dr. Sachchidanand Sahai and late Dr. Sudha Verma

Current Volume: 50 (Special 50th Anniversary Volume) (2025 )

ISSN: 0257-7364

Periodicity: Yearly

Month(s) of Publication: December

Subject: Anthropology Social Science Archaeology

DOI: 10.32381/SEAR

Online Access is Free for Life Member

150

The South East Asian Review (SEAR) is an interdisciplinary research journal which welcomes papers on any aspect of South East Asian culture, art, archaeology, history, society, religion, language, politics, economy, traditional knowledge, natural and cultural heritage. Since 1976, the goal of the journal has been to disseminate knowledge of the common cultural heritage of India and South East Asia. The journal provides a forum for a broad and diverse group of scholars interested in the study of South East Asia and with a specific thrust on the scholarly works in humanities and social sciences.

South East Asian Review journal also publishes Book Reviews relevant to the theme and scope of the journal. The authors and publishers may send their books on South East Asia after contacting the Academic Editor or Managing Editor via email in this regard.  The authors or publishers may also suggest potential reviewers to review the title.

ProQuest
EBSCO

 

Editor -in -chief
Dr. Sachchidanand Sahai

Bualuang ASEAN Chair Professor

Thammasat University, Bangkok, Thailand

Advisor to Apsara Authority, Siem Riep, Cambodia

Former Chair, Department Ancient Indian and Asian Studies

Magadh University, Bodh Gaya, India

Former National Professor of Epigraphy,

Institute of Archaeology, Archaeological Survey of India


Editorial Board
Dr. Willard Van De Bogart

International Program Coordinator
Sanskrit Studies Center
Silpakorn University
Bangkok, Thailand


Dr. Manjil Hazarika

Academic Editor and Assistant Professor
Department of Archaeology
Cotton University, Assam, India


Dr. Ganga Nath Jha

Former Professor and Chairperson
Center for Southeast Asian Studies
Jawaharlal Nehru University
New Delhi, India


Dr. Bachchan Kumar

Former Regional Director 
IGNCA, New Delhi, India


Dr. B.K. Mishra

Assistant Professor
Ancient Indian and Asian Studies
PLS College, Patna, India


Dr. Dean Myers

Retired Lecturer
Southeast Asian History
Jesuit Sophia University, Tokyo
 


Dr. Chirapat Prapandvidya

Founder, Sanskrit Studies Center
Silpakorn University
Bangkok, Thailand


Dr. Soma Sahai-Srivastava

Managing Editor
Clinical Professor of Neurology
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA, USA
 


Dr. Manish Sinha

Professor, Department of History
Magadh University, Bodh Gaya, India


Volume 50 (Special 50th Anniversary Volume) Issue 1 , (Jan-2025 to Dec-2025)

Poem
To Java

By: Rabindranath Tagore

Page No : i-ii

Author
Rabindranath Tagore (1927)
Indian Poet and Nobel Laureate in Literature Translated from Bengali.

Price: 101

Note of Appreciation

By: Chirapat Prapandvidya

Page No : iii-iii

Author
Dr. Chirapat Prapandvidya: Padma Shri Awardee Founder, Sanskrit Studies Center, Silpakorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Price: 101

The South East Asian Review: A Fifty-Year Retrospective (1976–2025)

By: Soma Sahai-Srivastava

Page No : v-viii

Author
Dr. Soma Sahai-Srivastava, M.D. Managing Editor

Price: 101

Editorial
Dr. Manjil Hazarika
Academic Editor

Assistant Professor, Department of Archaeology
Cotton University,
Assam - India

By: Dr. Manjil Hazarika

Page No : ix-xii

Read Now

Cultural Contact of Odisha with Southeast Asian Countries and Beyond: Evidence from Excavation at Barabati, Eastern India

By: Dibishada B. Garnayak , Umakant Bhoi , Saumya Singh , Anjana K. , Aditya Rathore , Chesly Sara Prasad , Jitendra Kumar Nag

Page No : 1-30

Abstract
The Barabati Fort, once a place of royal establishment and a major trade centre of Odisha had played a vital role from the beginning from 7th to early 20th century CE. The fort has witnessed the rise and fall of dynasties like Bhaumakaras, Somavamsis, Gangas, Suryavamsis, Gajapatis, Bhois, Afghans, Mughals, Marathas and the British till early 20th century CE. The material remains unearthed in the excavation highlights the maritime and military glory of Odishan history. The ceramics of Southeast Asian origin and Arab world suggests maritime trade network between China and Southeast Asian countries and beyond. The tradition of Boita Bandana, Bali Jatra observed close to the site probably started from this area in particular and from the coastal eastern India in general. The research paper deals with the excavated material for establishing tangible evidence about cultural contact of Odisha with Southeast Asian countries and beyond.

Authors
Dibishada B. Garnayak : Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India, Puri Circle, Odisha.
Umakant Bhoi : Assistant Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India, Puri Circle, Odisha.
Saumya Singh,  Anjana K.,  Aditya Rathore, Chesly Sara Prasad and Jitendra Kumar Nag : Research Scholar, Barabati Excavation, Archaeological Survey of India, Puri Circle, Odiisha.
 

DOI : https://doi.org/10.32381/SEAR.2025.50.1

Price: 101

Indianisation from Brunei, Java, Bali, Champa or India: Configurations of a Hindu-Buddhist Period in Philippine History

By: Erwin S. Fernandez

Page No : 31-52

Abstract
In another time and place, I argued that there exists a need to distinguish a Hindu-Buddhist period in Philippine history, which upon a cursory look of the various Philippine textbooks, old and current, would attest the lack of its placement on prehispanic civilisation. In all writings about Philippine and Southeast Asian history, the Philippines is missing in the treatment of the historic Hinduised or Indianised Southeast Asian region. In another article, I explored the possibility of a Hindu-Buddhist period in Philippine history. Now, in this essay, which is a revised version of the former, I lay the basis for restructuring of Philippine history by advocating for the inclusion of a Hindu-Buddhist period. That the Philippines is absent in any discussion of Indianisation is not only anomalous to say the least but more so ahistorical and highly improbable given the fact that geographically the Philippines is not isolated as many tend to believe. The Philippines was part and parcel of this Hindu-Buddhist world before the coming of Islam and Christianity. Although J.G. Casparis and I.W. Mabbett (1992: 304) wrote that “Very little is known of the early history and religion of the eastern zone before the sixteenth century,” which refers to the Philippines, their conclusion is passé since new sources had come out. I would focus on Ming texts, the Laguna Copperplate Inscription, some archaeological sites, oral literatures,scripts and a number of artefacts to have a say on the state of the peoples of the islands before the coming of Muslim missionaries.

Author
Erwin S. Fernandez :
 University of Salamanca, Spain.
 

DOI : https://doi.org/10.32381/SEAR.2025.50.2

Price: 101

Decolonising Indian Knowledge Systems: Towards a Plural and Inclusive Framework

By: Pranab Jyoti Sarma

Page No : 53-70

Abstract
This paper critically interrogates the dominant frameworks of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) that privilege Sanskritic textual traditions as the sole repository of ancient Indian wisdom. It argues that such a narrow interpretation marginalises the rich diversity of non-Sanskritic, oral, ecological, and performative knowledge traditions embedded across India’s multicultural and multilingual landscape. The paper draws upon theoretical perspectives from decoloniality, subaltern studies, and indigenous epistemologies to reframe IKS beyond the textual canon and caste-dominated knowledge hierarchies. It questions the assumptions of a singular religious or philosophical worldview in premodern India, highlighting the plurality of thought — ranging from Bhakti to Buddhist, Jain, Tantric, and tribal systems  that coexisted with and often contested the Sanskritic mainstream. Furthermore, the study critiques the tendency to universalise Sanskrit as the only gateway to Indian knowledge, and instead calls for a bottom-up, inclusive approach to knowledge recognition. It proposes a roadmap that incorporates regionally rooted, communitydriven knowledge systems as integral to the fabric of IKS. By embracing cultural and linguistic pluralism and by foregrounding historically marginalised epistemes, this paper contributes to the growing discourse on the decolonisation of knowledge. The aim is to reimagine IKS not as a static or revivalist heritage, but as a living, plural, and evolving field of wisdom reflective of India’s complex civilisational experience.

Author
Pranab Jyoti Sarma : Assistant Professor, IKS Cell, The Assam Royal Global University, Guwahati.
 

DOI : https://doi.org/10.32381/SEAR.2025.50.3

Price: 101

Bodo Identity and Electoral Politics: Analysing Press Coverage of BTR during the 2021 Assam Assembly Election

By: Debashis Pratim Sarma

Page No : 71-96

Abstract
The paper attempts to analyse the relevance of Bodo sub-nationalism in the politics of Assam and its assertion in the print media. Bodo movement has been the loudest voice among all the ethnic movements for separation (both state and statehood). Two renowned newspapers of the region, namely ‘The Assam Tribune’ (English newspaper) and ‘Asomiya Pratidin’ (Assamese newspaper), are utilised to analyse the coverage given to the politics of Bodoland during the Assam Assembly Election, 2021. The study finds that the politics of Bodoland remain volatile and conflict ridden. The study indicates that the print media gave greater emphasis to BPF compared to UPPL. Moreover, it suggests that the print media prioritised verbal conflicts among political leaders, political alliances, peace, development, and the recently signed Bodo Peace Accord for publication.

Author
Debashis Pratim Sarma :
Research Scholar, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Tezpur University, Assam.
 

DOI : https://doi.org/10.32381/SEAR.2025.50.4

Price: 101

Recently Explored Prehistoric Sites in the Middle Salandi Valley, Keonjhar District, Odisha: A Preliminary Report

By: Rajashree Puhan , Paramatap Pradhan , Nishikanta Dwibedi

Page No : 97-114

Abstract
The present paper is a preliminary report based on the surface exploration conducted in the middle tracts of the Salandi River, a tributary of the Baitarani River in the Keonjhar District of Odisha. This exploration has revealed as many as three prehistoric microlithic sites in both primary and semi-primary contexts. The cultural remains of this region display several characteristic features typically observed in other river valleys of Odisha. The ample availability of raw materials near the riverbank has attracted prehistoric microlith-using communities to settle in this area. Furthermore, the region appears to hold significant potential for understanding human adaptation from the Pleistocene epoch to the Holocene epoch. The river valley is fortunate to possess a stunning landscape of hills, rock shelters, and a chain of hillocks, which is well-suited to nurture the rich culture of this area. Thus, the Salandi River valley has been the cradle of human activities, as evidenced by the discovery of numerous and diverse lithic tool types.

Authors
Rajashree Puhan : PhD Research Scholar, School of History, Gangadhar Meher University, Sambalpur, Odisha. 
Paramatap Pradhan : Assistant Professor of History, School of History, Gangadhar Meher University, Sambalpur, Odisha.
Nishikanta Dwibedi : Faculty in History, Department of History, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, Odisha.
 

DOI : https://doi.org/10.32381/SEAR.2025.50.5

Price: 101

The Devaraj Cult (God-King): A Sacred Saivite Ritual for Divine Kingship in Angkor (Ancient Cambodia)

By: Bachchan Kumar , H. Sudhirkumar Singh

Page No : 115-134

Abstract
From the beginning of the Common Era, the kingdoms of Southeast Asia had close connections with India. This close relation shaped the people’s socio, political, religious and cultural life. Moreover, religion played a significant role in the political affairs of the ruling dynasties. The rulers opted Hindu religious-rituals in order to consolidate political power. From epigraphic record we come across prevalence of religious ritual called as Devaraja cult. The Devaraja or so called “god-king” has been a subject of discussion among the scholars. The scholars laid their view on this subject. Moreover, it requires examination and re-examination. In the present paper we have analysed the “Devaraja Cult” as a sacred divine ritual for divine kingship in Indian politico-religious context based on the epigraphic and textual sources. The Sdok Kak Thom inscription mentions the Devaraja Cult reveals the divine kingship performed through a tantric ritual by a Brahmin.

Authors
Bachchan Kumar :
 Visiting Faculty, Department of South East Asian Studies, Manipur Central University, Canchipur, Manipur. 
H. Sudhirkumar Singh : Professor, Department of History, Manipur Central University, Canchipur, Manipur.
 

DOI : https://doi.org/10.32381/SEAR.2025.50.6

Price: 101

Pinya Glazed Tiles: The Cultural Legacy of Bagan

By: Saw Tun Lin

Page No : 135-159

Abstract
The tradition of embellishing Buddhist monuments with glazed tiles originated in the Bagan period (9th - 13th centuries CE) and continued to evolve during the Pinya period (14th century CE), albeit with a perceived decline in quality, possibly attributed to political instability. This study delves into the cultural and artistic legacy of Bagan through a comprehensive visual analysis of Buddhist glazed tiles unearthed in Mekkhaya, Myinzaing, Pinya, and Sagaing — cities that flourished during the 14th century CE. In Pinya-period stupas, architectural design, heavily influenced by Bagan’s Shwezigon pagoda, features bell-shaped structures on square terraces. The study focuses on wellpreserved Jātaka tiles from Mekkhaya Shwezigon, displaying visual and typological similarities with those from Bagan. Inscriptions in Pali and Burmese labels, deciphered to understand narratives, indicate a standardised production process, possibly involving skilled craftsmen from Bagan who resettled in Pinya capitals. Beyond serving a decorative purpose, Jātaka glazed tiles exhibit multiple functions, including imparting moral and ethical teachings of Buddhism. These tiles visually narrate the Buddha’s biography, acting as iconised word texts and symbolising the presence of the Buddha in the absence of actual relics, thus reflecting a rich cultural and artistic legacy.

Author
Saw Tun Lin :
 Consultant, SEAMEO Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts (SEAMEO SPAFA), Bangkok, Thailand.
 

DOI : https://doi.org/10.32381/SEAR.2025.50.7

Price: 101

The Colonial Birth and Location of the Assam Provincial Museum

By: Swagata Mukhopadhyay

Page No : 161-179

Abstract
In 1917-18, the Kamrup Anusandhan Samiti (KAS) reported the construction of its own house. Estampages of two crucial inscriptions, namely Harjjara’s Tezpur and Kanai Barasi rock edicts, were officially unveiled during the occasion and exhibited in the Samiti’s collection. This perhaps marks the beginning of the museum collection and display practices in the region. The vast store of cultural artefacts hereafter systematically retrieved by Assamese and Bengali scholars such as Padmanath Vidyavinode, Rakhaldas Banerjee, H.C. Goswami, Sarbeswar Kataki et al., would find its way to the central depository of colonial Assam, namely the Provincial Museum. This paper looks back on the inaugural assemblage of the museum based on the early directories, annual reports of the ASI, Home Department (Archaeology) and Education Department files, as well as the copious literature produced by the museum and the KAS. The said assemblage emphasises the opulent and ‘creative’, in the words of Birinchi Kumar Barua, early historic heritage of the dale (Barua 1951). Following studies by, inter alia, Bernard S. Cohn, Donald Preziosi, Tapati Guha-Thakurta and Timothy Mitchell on the emergence of later 18th and early 19th century museums in Europe and the subsequent travel of the practice to India, the empire’s largest and economically most significant colony, the article will delve into some ideological underpinnings of the making of Assam Provincial Museum.

Author
Swagata Mukhopadhyay :
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati.
 

DOI : https://doi.org/10.32381/SEAR.2025.50.8

Price: 101

Myanmar’s Prehistoric Rock Art: a Comparative Study with Assam and Sri Lanka

By: Win Pa Pa Lwin , Pyiet Phyo Kyaw

Page No : 181-199

Abstract
In Myanmar, rock art is a significant archaeological record because it provides important pictographic evidence of the prehistoric world from the late Pleistocene and early Holocene periods. Although there is slight limitation in systematic explorations of Myanmar’s rock art heritage, the investigated rock art sites are substantial in chronological sequence and typological variations for archaeological interpretation. The ambiguous representations of Myanmar rock art are also studied with theoretical approaches by drawing Affordance Theory of James Gibson, an American psychologist, and entoptic phenomenon of archaeologists, David J. Lewis-Williams and T.A. Dowson. Concerning rock art, there are many potential sites to be investigated across Myanmar. The outcomes of systematic studies express prehistoric rock arts predominantly consist of pictographs while petroglyphs and other pictographs across belonged to historical periods. The rock art of Padah-lin, Gabarni and Lewun, located in Shan Plateau, are significant for prehistoric human activities and whereas, the petroglyph of Lemro valley and cliff art of Yekan-aw are historically unique. Lemro valley is situated at the western frontier of Myanmar, in close proximity to Northeast India which is notable for its several petroglyphs. In addition to, Myanmar also shares the opposite shores of the Bay of Bengal with Sri Lanka which has 55 investigated rock art sites, within the Indian-Ocean region. The history of rock art investigations of Myanmar and Sri Lanka is similar with the initiations of foreign scholars and the demand for intensive and technology driven research. The subject matters show some affirmations by depending on their respective ecological settings. In spite of limited research and discoveries, Myanmar’s rock art evidence, are archaeologically significant to correlate a region-wide interpretation within Indian-Ocean world beyond the spatial context of Mainland Southeast Asia and South Asia.

Authors
Win Pa Pa Lwin : Tutor, Department of Archaeology, University of Yangon, Myanmar.
Pyiet Phyo Kyaw : Professor, Department of Archaeology, University of Yangon, Myanmar.
 

DOI : https://doi.org/10.32381/SEAR.2025.50.9

Price: 101

The Tibetans at Bodh Gaya

By: Manish Sinha

Page No : 201-210

Abstract
This paper examines the profound and multi-layered relationship between the Tibetan exile community and Bodh Gaya, the site of the Buddha’s enlightenment, tracing how this sacred geography has become central to the spiritual, cultural, and political life of Tibetans in exile since 1959. Drawing upon personal observation, historical records, and scholarly interpretations, particularly the works of Tony Huber and David Geary, the study explores how Bodh Gaya has evolved into a vital locus of Tibetan religio-political activity and a key arena for the negotiation of Tibetan national identity in exile. The annual winter congregations of Tibetans at Bodh Gaya, marked by major rituals such as the Kalachakra Initiation and Monlam prayers led by His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama, have transformed the town into a temporary Tibetan spiritual hub. These gatherings serve not only as religious pilgrimages but also as occasions for pan-exile social cohesion, cultural preservation, and international political visibility. The paper highlights how Tibetan ritual practices, monastic presence, and the charismatic leadership of the Dalai Lama have contributed significantly to the globalisation and revitalisation of Bodh Gaya as a World Heritage Buddhist site. Further, the study situates Bodh Gaya within the broader Tibetan exilic geography, emphasising its role in the early institutionalisation of Tibetan democracy in exile in 1960 and its continued importance as a space where spirituality, nationalism, and modern democratic ideals intersect. The Tibetan veneration of India as Arya Bhumi (holy land) and their ritual occupation of Bodh Gaya exemplify how sacred space is reimagined and reconstituted in exile. The paper argues that Bodh Gaya is not merely a pilgrimage destination for Tibetans but a dynamic site of cultural memory, political expression, and global Buddhist modernism, where the sacred past and exilic present converge to shape a transnational Tibetan identity.

Author
Manish Sinha : Professor and Former Head, P.G. Dept. of History, Magadh University, Bodh Gaya, Bihar.
 

DOI : https://doi.org/10.32381/SEAR.2025.50.10

Price: 101

Acculturation and Cross-cultural Communication across a Millennium — Narrative Scroll Paintings of India, South and Southeast Asia

By: Lopamudra Maitra

Page No : 211-223

Abstract
The narrative scroll paintings across India, South and Southeast Asia highlight an important aspect of socio-cultural and religious connectivity. These are revealed through the many stories which gave rise to the varied painting patterns of each region. This paper looks into this significant aspect of cross-cultural communication and historical relations down the course of the last thousand years.

Author
Lopamudra Maitra : Visual Anthropologist, writer, translator, columnist, National Institute of Design (NID), Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
 

DOI : https://doi.org/10.32381/SEAR.2025.50.11

Price: 101

Interrogating Ethnic Identities and the Representation of Minor Ethnic Groups with Reference to the Nagas in Myanmar’s Politics

By: Sachoiba Inkah

Page No : 225-241

Abstract
Myanmar is among the world’s most ethnically diverse nations, characterised by several ethnic armed organisations seeking legitimate recognition and autonomy. Despite over seventy years of independence, the attempt to achieve national unification remains an incomplete project. Myanmar continues to contend with the enduring legacies of colonial rule, aggravated by a rigid political framework characterised by military hegemony and the significant influence of major ethnic groups, notably the Bamar, as well as pronounced religious and communal influences. Ethnic minorities are significantly underrepresented at both national and state levels, where they vie for scarce state resources, leading to various conflicts and stalling progress and development. The paper argues that the granting of Self-Administered Zones for ethnic groups particularly Nagas has not resulted in augmenting the socio-economic life of the people as these Zones function under the regional government with active intrusion in the working of the local administration by the representatives of the major ethnic groups and the military.

Author
Sachoiba Inkah : 
Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Himalayan University, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh.
 

DOI : https://doi.org/10.32381/SEAR.2025.50.12

Price: 101

Revisiting the Acheulian Traces of Vindhya-Narmada System in North-Central India

By: Gargi Chatterjee

Page No : 243-251

Abstract
This paper is an attempt to re-visit the evidence of two major Acheulian sites in Vindhya- Narmada system, namely Adamgarh and Bhimbetka as a case study and throw light on the Acheulian hominin adaptation at this region. Among these two sites, the former one was excavated by R.V. Joshi and the later one by V.S. Wakankar and V.N. Misra during 1960s and 70s respectively. These primary works revealed detailed and crucial information regarding the tool typology, technology, raw-material and Acheulian habitation of these two sites individually. In the present work it has been tried to compare and analyse those data to elucidate the hominin adaptation tendency/tendencies during Acheulian phase in this particular geographical pocket of India.

Author
Gargi Chatterjee :
Assistant Professor, Department of Ancient History, Culture and Archaeology, University of Allahabad.
 

DOI : https://doi.org/10.32381/SEAR.2025.50.13

Price: 101

Unveiling the Ancient Khiroda River System of Historical Devaparvata: A GIS-based Predictive Study

By: Nazmul Alam Ridoy , Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan Khan

Page No : 253-276

Abstract
The Lalmai-Mainamati hill region, which is also called Devaparvata, is a tentatively listed UNESCO World Heritage Site situated in Cumilla, Bangladesh. It was an important Buddhist centre in ancient Samatata during the early medieval period. The Khadga, Deva, Chandra and other dynasties all ruled over this area. There are over 55 archaeological sites in this area. The Khiroda River played vital role in transportation, trade, defence, and water management in the past, and it was a key part of Devaparvata’s growth. Even though it is very important, modern spatial studies have not yet mapped out the Khiroda River’s historical course or paleochannels. This study aims to predictively visualise the river’s old path using a mixed-methods approach that combines ground-truthing, remote sensing, GIS-based mapping, and historical data to explore how it affected Devaparvata’s settlement, trade networks, and urban growth in early South Asia. The study also highlights the river’s strategic importance in shaping the socioeconomic and cultural landscape of Devaparvata, particularly concerning the development of Buddhist institutions and trade. The results show the link of Khiroda to present rivers and why it is considered a river system that has also been focused on here. Map-based graphical representation of paleochannels using Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing shows that there is a complex network of water systems connecting defence, agriculture, and religious sites of Lalmai-Mainamati. Overall, it shows how GIS and satellite images can help us remap/understand the river systems that are important to heritage landscapes but have been lost. Putting riverine infrastructure in the context of its role in early urbanisation and cultural exchange in South and Southeast Asia adds to bigger conversations in archaeology and history. More long-term, interdisciplinary morescientific research is needed to establish these results and protect this riverine heritage.

Authors
Nazmul Alam Ridoy : MSc (ongoing) in Remote Sensing and GIS, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh; MSS and BSS in Archaeology, Comilla University, Bangladesh.
Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan Khan : Associate Professor, Department of Archaeology, Comilla University, Bangladesh.
​​​​​​​

DOI : https://doi.org/10.32381/SEAR.2025.50.14

Price: 101

Iconography and Symbolism of a Javanese Ganesha Sculpture housed at the National Museum in Bangkok, Thailand

By: Sanathana Y.S. , Manjil Hazarika , Worrawit Boonthai

Page No : 277-287

Abstract
This paper examines the iconography and symbolic significance of a colossal stone image of Ganesha originating from Candi Singhasari in East Java and presently preserved in the National Museum, Bangkok. The sculpture was brought to Siam during King Chulalongkorn’s visit to the Dutch East Indies in 1896 and represents one of the most remarkable examples of East Javanese sculptural art outside its original cultural setting. Through a detailed iconographic analysis of the figure’s posture, attributes, ornaments and pedestal, the study situates the sculpture within the broader artistic and religious milieu of the thirteenth-century Singhasari kingdom. Particular attention is given to the pervasive skull (kapala) imagery incorporated in the pedestal, crown and ear ornaments of the sculpture. These motifs are interpreted within the framework of Tantric symbolism associated with Shaiva and Buddhist traditions that flourished in East Java during the reign of King Kertanagara (1268–1292 CE). The skull-adorned iconography, together with elements such as the serpent yajnopavita and the bowl toward which the trunk bends, suggests that the image embodies not only the familiar auspicious aspect of Ganesha but also a more esoteric dimension connected with ritual transformation and mastery over death. By comparing this sculpture with related Ganesha and Bhairava images from the Singhasari complex, the paper highlights the integration of Tantric symbolism within the sacred art of late classical Java. The Singhasari Ganesha thus emerges as both an artistic masterpiece and a significant testament to the religious synthesis and cultural exchanges that shaped Southeast Asian temple art.

Authors
Sanathana Y.S. : Director (Research & Projects), Pleach India Foundation, Hyderabad.
Manjil Hazarika : Assistant Professor, Department of Archaeology, Cotton University, Guwahati, Assam.
Worrawit Boonthai : Associate Professor, Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology, Thammasat University, Thailand.
 

DOI : https://doi.org/10.32381/SEAR.2025.50.15

Price: 101

Book Reviews 
Shiba Charan Nanda. (ed. Manjil Hazarika) 2023. Prehistoric Archaeology of Indravati Basin in Koraput, Odisha. New Delhi: Pathak Publishers and Distributors

By: Jonali Devi

Page No : 289-291

Author
Jonali Devi : Associate Professor (Retd.) and former Head, Department of Anthropology, Cotton University, Guwahati.

Price: 101

Michael Hurley. 2025. Waterways of Bangkok: Memory, Landscape, and Twilight. Singapore: NUS Press

By: Soma Sahai-Srivastava

Page No : 293-294

Price: 101

Charles Higham. 2024. Early Southeast Asia – From First Humans to First Civilisations. Singapore: Ridge Books and NUS Press

By: Manjil Hazarika

Page No : 295-298

Price: 101

Instruction to the Author

The manuscript for publication should be submitted by Email to the Editor (Dr. Manjil Hazarika, Email: hazrikam@gmail.com) or through the online submission link of the journal (https://southeastasianreview.com/index.html), written in English with British spelling with a cover letter addressed to the Editor.

Reference Style Guidelines

All references must be cited in the text or tables with author-years style. Examples for preparing the reference:

• Diamond, J. and P. Bellwood. 2003. Farmers and their languages: the first expansions. Science 300 (5619): 597-603

• Paddayya, K. 1990. Theoretical Perspectives in Indian Archaeology: A Historical Review, in Theory in Archaeology - A World Perspective, ed. P.J. Ucko, pp. 110-149. London: Routledge.

• Sahai, S. 2007. The Bayon of Angkor Thom. Bangkok: White Lotus.

Manuscripts will be accepted on a rolling basis, and accepted submissions will be published in the same year or following year. 

Brief Guidelines for Authors

1. AI Tools and Authorship
AI tools, such as large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT or image generators, cannot be listed as an author. Authorship criteria, which include intellectual responsibility and the ability to be accountable for the work, can only be met by a human.

2. Transparency and Disclosure
Any use of AI tools in the preparation of a manuscript must be disclosed. This disclosure should be specific and transparent.

• Where to Disclose: The use of AI should be mentioned in the Acknowledgments section. If the AI tool was used as part of the methodology (e.g., for data analysis), this should also be stated in the Methods section.

• What to Disclose: The disclosure should include:
            •The name and version of the AI tool.
            •A brief description of how the tool was used (e.g., "for improving grammar and readability," "for generating preliminary drafts of the introduction," "for summarizing existing literature")
            Full responsibility for the content remains with the author(s).

3Ethical Use and Accountability
Authors are fully responsible for the final content, even if it was initially generated by an AI tool. Authors must verify the accuracy and originality of all AI-generated content.

          Originality: Authors must ensure that the AI-generated content does not contain plagiarized material. AI models are trained on vast amounts of data and can produce content that closely resembles existing work.

         • Accuracy: Authors are responsible for fact-checking and verifying all information, including citations and data, generated by an AI tool. AI can "hallucinate" or provide incorrect information and fabricated references.

         • Integrity: The use of AI to generate false data, manipulate results, or create fabricated images is considered scientific misconduct and will lead to immediate rejection and further investigation.

Introduction:

The South East Asian Review (SEAR) is an interdisciplinary research journal which welcomes papers on any aspect of South East Asian culture, art, archaeology, history, society, religion, language, politics, economy, traditional knowledge, natural and cultural heritage. Since 1976, the goal of the journal has been to disseminate knowledge of the common cultural heritage of India and South East Asia. The journal provides a forum for a broad and diverse group of scholars interested in the study of South East Asia and with a specific thrust on the scholarly works in humanities and social sciences.

Topics:

Social Science

Subject Covered:

Anthropology Social Science Archaeology

Submit Your Article:

hazrikam@gmail.com

Frequency:

Yearly

© All Rights Reserved 2025, Prints Publications Pvt. Ltd.

Powered by : Prints Publications Pvt Ltd