<p>The chance discovery of ancient cave paintings at Varkanalli village in Yadgir taluk of the same district has led to some excitement as the cave paintings are said to be very rare and belong to the pre-historic period. The existence of cave paintings in the undivided Gulbarga district although significant is not unusual. For, the area is known for quite a few pre-historic sites. But the Varakanalli cave paintings do not belong to the pre-historic period argue some experts.<br /><br /></p>.<p>One really wonders how the ancient men, who did not have the knowledge of language, would communicate each other. It is not exactly known whether cave paintings are a mode of communication of ancient human beings or depiction of their artistic skills. Cave paintings are generally found on the cave walls and on the ceilings; very rarely are they found on the floor. Though they need not necessarily belong to pre- historic era it is said to be very difficult to determine their exact period.<br /><br />The Bhimbetka rock shelters in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh are said to contain some of the earliest traces of human life in India dating back to at least one lakh years. Some of the stone age rock paintings found here are stated to be approximately 30,000 years old.<br /><br />The cave paintings in Yadgir are said to belong to 4th Century AD. The credit of discovering the rare paintings having great heritage value goes to Patil Basanagouda who works as library assistant at the public library in Yadgir. While on field work recently he chanced upon a huge slab called Raktagunda near a hillock on the outskirts of Varkanalli having drawings in red soil.<br /><br />According to archeological expert A Sundar such drawings and paintings have so far not been found anywhere and it is not easily possible to identify the lines of human and animal figures. During the Hyderabad Nizam’s regime officials of geology department had discovered some stone slabs containing colour paintings near Balichakra in Yadgir taluk. They too contained the figures of human and animals. Such types of figures have been found in other parts of north Karnataka but the ones at Varkanalli are said to be totally different from those.<br /><br />The drawings are very beautiful and artistic and they to some extent resemble the modern art in terms of difficulties in understanding them! It is believed that the cave paintings are the handiworks of an artist having full control over the drawings in Shankalipi. On one side of the drawings a figure of sparrow and on the other side the figure of fish could be noticed. What do they signify and communicate is not known, however. Though animals have been an integral part of the lives of ancient human beings the role played by sparrows and fishes in their lives is quite intriguing. One wonders whether fishery did exist in that period. The use of Shankalipi proves that the Varakanalli cave paintings may not belong to pre-historic period.<br /><br />All said and done the cave and rock paintings found in Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Bellary, Bagalkot and Chitradurga districts and in a few other places of Karnataka should throw up an opportunity for historians, archeologists and heritage scholars to venture into research to know and understand not only the life and culture of men of pre-historic era and other ancient times but also the evolution of art and culture.<br /></p>
<p>The chance discovery of ancient cave paintings at Varkanalli village in Yadgir taluk of the same district has led to some excitement as the cave paintings are said to be very rare and belong to the pre-historic period. The existence of cave paintings in the undivided Gulbarga district although significant is not unusual. For, the area is known for quite a few pre-historic sites. But the Varakanalli cave paintings do not belong to the pre-historic period argue some experts.<br /><br /></p>.<p>One really wonders how the ancient men, who did not have the knowledge of language, would communicate each other. It is not exactly known whether cave paintings are a mode of communication of ancient human beings or depiction of their artistic skills. Cave paintings are generally found on the cave walls and on the ceilings; very rarely are they found on the floor. Though they need not necessarily belong to pre- historic era it is said to be very difficult to determine their exact period.<br /><br />The Bhimbetka rock shelters in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh are said to contain some of the earliest traces of human life in India dating back to at least one lakh years. Some of the stone age rock paintings found here are stated to be approximately 30,000 years old.<br /><br />The cave paintings in Yadgir are said to belong to 4th Century AD. The credit of discovering the rare paintings having great heritage value goes to Patil Basanagouda who works as library assistant at the public library in Yadgir. While on field work recently he chanced upon a huge slab called Raktagunda near a hillock on the outskirts of Varkanalli having drawings in red soil.<br /><br />According to archeological expert A Sundar such drawings and paintings have so far not been found anywhere and it is not easily possible to identify the lines of human and animal figures. During the Hyderabad Nizam’s regime officials of geology department had discovered some stone slabs containing colour paintings near Balichakra in Yadgir taluk. They too contained the figures of human and animals. Such types of figures have been found in other parts of north Karnataka but the ones at Varkanalli are said to be totally different from those.<br /><br />The drawings are very beautiful and artistic and they to some extent resemble the modern art in terms of difficulties in understanding them! It is believed that the cave paintings are the handiworks of an artist having full control over the drawings in Shankalipi. On one side of the drawings a figure of sparrow and on the other side the figure of fish could be noticed. What do they signify and communicate is not known, however. Though animals have been an integral part of the lives of ancient human beings the role played by sparrows and fishes in their lives is quite intriguing. One wonders whether fishery did exist in that period. The use of Shankalipi proves that the Varakanalli cave paintings may not belong to pre-historic period.<br /><br />All said and done the cave and rock paintings found in Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Bellary, Bagalkot and Chitradurga districts and in a few other places of Karnataka should throw up an opportunity for historians, archeologists and heritage scholars to venture into research to know and understand not only the life and culture of men of pre-historic era and other ancient times but also the evolution of art and culture.<br /></p>
