Rock Arts of Krishnagiri in Rock Shelters, Balamanery, Pannayamuttu Gundu, Krishnagiri Industrial area, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu.

24^th & 25^th August 2019.

The two-day visit was mainly focused on Rock art in the natural caves/shelters around Kaveripattinam and Krishnagiri. During our visit, we visited 9 natural shelters/hills, where red and white ocher are found. Unlike the Kilvali, Alambadi, Settavarai, and Nehanur Patti (Neganur Patti) near Villupuram on the banks of the river Thenpennai,  these shelters are natural caves formed by the rocks and part of the hills. The presence of white and red ochre rock art indicates that these shelters have been used continuously, and the red ochre is considered to be more than 10 thousand years old. Some of the shelters are spacious, and some are very small. These shelters are facing an open area so that the movements of animals and other groups can be watched. A very important point is that the shelter will be close to water sources with easy access.

The artists record the animals that they see (like Horses and tigers), birds, reptiles like snakes, and scorpions, celebrations (rhythmic dancing), hunting of animals, fights between the groups, cultural activities, sun, Lamps (Pandil lamps), patterns, symbols, designs, etc. Since the caves/shelters are used continuously, the rock art may belong to different periods.

BALAMANERY – PANNAYAMUTTU GUNDU

The shelter is about 25 to 30 feet from the ground level and has a little passage to climb up. The rock art consists of two Horse riders with a leading man, a Horse with a man, Birds, cock, a Peacock, chasing animals, and some designs. A white ochre painting (a mixture of white and red) depicts an animal that may be a tiger, drawn looking from the top angle, and a knife-like weapon is shown pierced through the body. In addition to this, red ochre paintings are visible faintly in places of the shelter.

 A chasing animal rock art

 A top view of an animal may be a tiger

A red ochre rock art

KRISHNAGIRI INDUSTRIAL ESTATE (NEAR)

This shelter is almost on the plains. About 20 feet in length strip-like pattern of about 6 inches was drawn in red ochre. In the pattern, we could see men and women in various postures, maybe dancing postures. The painting is faintly visible.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---