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A treasure trove of ancient art in Rajasthan

- Photo: Rohit Jain Paras

Mesolithic masterpiece: Rock paintings belonging to the Mesolithic period found near Bundi in Rajasthan.

JAIPUR: The treasure trove of ancient rock paintings belonging to the Mesolithic-Chalcolithic age in Gararda region, 40 km from Bundi in south-eastern Rajasthan, has attracted the attention of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi, which has carried out documentation of the prehistoric art works to study, research and conserve them.

The IGNCA took up the work recently as part of its ambitious project to save the rock arts in the country for their ethno-archaeological study. Some of rock painting sites in Bundi district, situated in the catchment area of Gararda dam, face the threat of submergence in water.

Rock shelter paintings at Gararda are estimated to be 15,000 years old, bearing an ample proof of the fact that the Hadauti region of Rajasthan sustained the early man and prehistoric civilisation. There are about 55 sites around Bundi where the rock art provides a glimpse of the flora and fauna of the prehistoric era.

The multi-disciplinary IGNCA team – comprising archaeologists, anthropologists, geographers, geologists and rock painting discoverers – also studied the culture of tribal population inhabiting the region to examine the continuity of art works since the primordial times and create a comprehensive database.

Bundi-based amateur archaeologist Om Prakash Sharma alias Kukki told The Hindu over the weekend that the documentation would help preserve the priceless heritage for the generations to come even after the rock art is destroyed or submerged in water. Rock paintings at Dharwa, Naldeh, Undi Maya, Nachla, Hathi Doob and Narda fall in the dam’s catchment area.

Mr. Kukki, who has spent two decades in the discovery of ancient paintings at rock shelters and in caves in the Vindhyachal mountain ranges in Bundi and adjoining Bhilwara districts, said there was a surprising element of continuity in the art depicted in the animal and human figures of Mesolithic age and the wheel of Chalcolithic era, when agriculture was introduced.

Surrounded by the rich beauty of nature, the paintings in deep and light ochre colour are found in the shelters situated on both sides of the right branch of Gararda river. The prehistoric man used the colours taken from powdered rocks or coloured volcanic earth available at the nearby mounds and hills for drawing lines and sketches.

In addition to the animals such as bison, tiger, dogs and antelopes, the rock arts illustrate the hunting scenes, armies facing each other, dancing postures, human figures, stone tools, lakes and daily life episodes of the prehistoric times. Besides ochre, other colours used are dark red, tan, white, yellow and purple.

Mr. Kukki claimed that the 35-km-long stretch along the Gararda rivulet, where cave shelters were found in abundance, was the longest archaeological site found so far in the world. “There are some rare finds such as a man flying on a dragon and a seven-foot-long animal which is yet to be identified,” he said.

The Stone Age man used to draw on rocks during his leisure time to express his ideas and creativity. Mr. Kukki – whose discovery of rock paintings has been recognised by the Archaeological Survey of India – said the traces of ancient civilisation were strewn around in the countryside of Bundi district.

“The rock shelters which were the dwellings of the prehistoric men have been lying here undisturbed for thousands of years. Besides the documentation of paintings, the Government authorities should conserve and maintain these places,” said Mr. Kukki.

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