Mesolithic art

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Mesolithic art

15,000 BC art at the mercy of a halwai

Http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/welcome.asp?skin=pastissues2&QS=skin%3Dpastissues2%26enter%3DLowLevel [ The Times of India]

Avinash Kalla | Art Art, Indian Mesolithic rock-painting Rajasthan Bundi

It is not often that you come across Mesolithic art: it is as rare as it is ancient. Rajasthan’s Bundi threw up a treasure trove, rock paintings that date back to 15,000 BC. But instead of drawing attention to them and doing something to preserve the paintings, the state archaelogical department asked a halwai— who is an amateur rock-painting enthusiast—to prepare a report on the paintings. Om Prakash Sharma—Kuki to friends —was given the task because he stumbled upon the paintings during one of his expeditions last year.

“Once we get the complete report, we will take necessary steps and see what can be done for these paintings,” said B L Gupta, director, archaeology and museums, Rajasthan.

Kuki was asked to submit the report on 30 such sites in two phases. He has already given details of 20 sites and will submit the rest soon. “Last year, I was asked to submit reports which would include videography and photography in two phases and I submitted them all over a month ago.”

“These paintings in Bundi date back to Mesolithic and Neolithic ages and are precious. When the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) team visited them around 10 years ago, they authenticated many sites. After that, a number of other sites have come up, but there is no one to take care of them. A handful of locals, driven by their passion, are maintaining these sites with their limited means,” said Arvind Kumar Sharma, lecturer, Government College, Kota. He has researched the history of Bundi.

Kuki’s expeditions began about 30 years ago, but he first stumbled upon a rock painting in 1993. Since then, he has found 76 such sites, all around Bundi. “Every time I stumble upon a new site I write to the district administration and the state archeology department,” he said. Similar sites are there in MP, Jharkhand, Bihar, UP, Maharashtra and Orissa. The biggest certified rock painting site in the country is MP’s Bhimbetka, which is maintained by the ASI and Unesco, and is a world heritage site.

“The state of the sites in Bundi is sad and disheartening. Efforts should be made to preserve such priceless pieces of art. Elsewhere in MP and parts of UP like Mirzapur, state governments have taken the initative to preserve the heritage sites,” said G L Badam, secretary, Rock Art Society of India. But the Rajasthan archaelogy department decided to leave it all to Kuki, who has only studied up to Class VIII.