![]() Indian Cave Paintings in Prehistoric times Smaller shelters and natural caves in India very often contain prehistoric art and paintings. Monuments of the exceptional value are Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, here, more than 500smaller rocks and caves contains thousands of paintings. Some of the oldest paintings here are more than 15000 years old, and in some cases it is 30,000 years old. The prehistoric art from is spread all over India from snow covered Himalayas to south of Tamil Nadu. Ancient Indian Cave Painting s The Cave 10 in Ajanta contains the oldest Indian paintings made circa 1st century BC. Substantive part of the Ajanta paintings is from the later time, mainly from 460 AD to 480 AD. The designs and art forms are world renowned and tell stories of the life of Buddha and other characteristic features about Buddhism. Many of the sculptures and women paintings depict mythical beings like nagas, yakshas, vrikshikas, river goddesses Yamuna and Ganga. The super natural beauty is part of the feel and essence of such beings. The unique monument of art in India, which is also internationally famous, is found in Jogimara Cave in Chhattisgarh, made circa in the 1st century BC. Contrary to other cave paintings, here there is no depiction of Indian religion. The paintings mainly show fish, elephant figures, dancing couple and chariots. ![]() Medieval Indian Cave Paintings The structures of Indian paintings and art forms that is comparatively less known is in Sittanavasal Cave (Tamil Nadu). In the 7th and 9th century AD there was rock cut Jain Temple named Arivar-Koil. The paintings here cover the upper part of the ceilings and were built in 9th century AD. Armamalai Cave that was built in 8th century is a natural cave that served as Jain sanctuary. Thirunadhikkara Cave Temple now in Tamil Nadu is a typical rock cut Jain Temple that was built in 8th century AD. The interior of the temple is decorated with beautiful paintings. Though now only hazy outlines remain, but once upon a time there were colourful depiction of the stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata. The style of the painting was later used in the Kerala style of painting. In Olipathivishnu Vishnugraham, which was built in 9th century AD, the walls are covered with paintings and stucco. The drawing depicts ten incarnations of Vishnu- Dashavatara and also other motives of religious natures. ![]() There are also traces of beautiful wall paintings found in Tabo Caves in Himachal Pradesh and in Bhimbetka Rock in Madhya Pradesh. Significant traces of medieval paintings are also found in Thiruparankundram, Murugan Temple (Tamil Nadu), Kanheri Caves in Maharashtra, Undavalli in Andhra Pradesh and Manmod Caves in Maharashtra. |
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