Rock art in Rudragiri

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Context

• In AndhraPradesh, on the Rudragiri hillock, a 1300 AD Kakatiya era Mural was found superimposed on prehistoric Mesolithic-era artwork.
• This Ramayana mural depicts the fierce battle scene between the Vanara brothers Vali and Sugriva.

Kakatiya Artistic Legacy and significance

• The Prominent features of the fresco however have faded away with time due to exposure to the elements.
• However sketches and outlines passed the test of time and survived.
• This discovered artwork is an excellent work from the Kakatiya dynasty depicting Ramayana.
• Such rock art depicts the rich historical and artistic legacy of India in general and Andhra Pradesh state in particular.
• It combines it with Mesolithic period prehistoric rock paintings.
• In the artworks found there is the use of -
  • Variety of colors – these were derived from white kaolin and other different pigments.
• They give a peak into the times of their creation, 13th century A.D., and thus help in providing valuable insights of that era.
• Hence they assist in understanding the artistic brilliance of Kakatiya period.

Rudragiri hillock

• It is situated in the state of Andhra Pradesh. More specific details of location are –
  • Village - Orvakallu
  • Mandal – Atchampet
  • District – Guntur
• Nestled amidst the Eastern Ghats this place has a significant historical past.
• It celebrates archaeological monuments of remarkable history.
• At its foothill, five westward facing naturally formed rock shelters are there.
• These shelters shed a light on the life of people of Mesolithic age around 5000 B.C.
• These displays luminous rock paintings of that era.
• The Ganapati Deva Maharaja, an important ruler of Kakatiya dynasty, is considered to patronize the rich ancient mural heritage found at Rudragiri.

Caves

First cave

• The first cave starts from the southern end of the hillock
  • Mural of Vanara brothers, Vali and Sugriva which portrays a fierce battle between them.
  • Rama, a hindu lord, is also depicted behind Sugriva helping Sugriva by shooting arrows at Vali.
  • Though colors are faded over time, outlines survived.

Middle cave

• This cave shows murals of Hanuman lifting the Sanjeevani hill with his right hand to save Lakshmana’s life.
• Another prehistoric rock painting shows the conch (Sankha) and fire altars (Yagna Vedi).

Third cave

• It has rock paintings from the Mesolithic era.
• A figure of Hanuman, in Anjali posture, was found superimpose in this rock shelter.
• Though superimposed over Mesolithic drawings, these Ramayana murals seem complementary to it.

Similarity with Telangana

• Rock shelters were found in Muppavaram and Pandavulagutta which are located in Warangal district of neighbouring Telangana.
• The recent frescoes on Rudragiri’s rock shelters have striking similarities with above mentioned Telangana rock shelters.
• It is believed that the artwork at Rudragiri found inspiration from the artworks at Muppavaram.

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