Bhimbetka Cave Paintings
Generations of Unknown Artists, Upper Paleolithic period - Medieval Periods

Links
http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/
http://www.showcaves.com/

Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh (near Bhopal) in central India is the largest collection of prehistoric art in India. The caves were discovered in 1958 by Indian archaeologist Dr Wakankar. Legend has it that the name probably derived from the Pandava brother Bhima (from the Mahabharat) having used these rocks as a resting place (seat of Bhima). There are about 600 such caves; most times these are not caves but just rock overhangings & cliffs.

The art spans 7 different periods in history:
• Upper Paleolithic (Old Stone Age:1,000,000BC to 15,000 BC): green and dark red, linear paintings of huge figures of animals such as bisons, bears, tigers, and rhinoceroses.
• Mesolithic (between Paeleolithic & Neolithic): smaller, stylized figures with linear decoration on the body, hunting scenes showing weapons, dances, and musical instruments give an idea of Mesolithic life.
• Chaleolithic: these drawings reveal that the cave dwellers had come in contact with the agricultural communities of the Malwa plains.
• Early Historic: pictures of Yaksha, tree gods and magical sky chariots.
• Medieval: geometric, linear and more schematic but they show degeneration and crudeness in their artistic style

The artists used crude chipped stone tools to more refined ones. But more significant is their prowess with twig-brushes that they dipped into gheru, magnesium, charcoal, plant extracts and animal fat for oil to paint their world upon these cave walls.

Submitted by
Anjali Arora

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