Preserve the ancient rock paintings, says Intach

Dhruvi Modi

The rock paintings in Karikaiyur at Kil Kotagiri have survived more than 5,000 years of the forces of nature, but could not survive vandalism in the Nilgiri forests. According to a report, around 40% of the rock paintings in the forest have been destroyed by tourists, trekkers and vandals.

These rock paintings are said to have links with the Irula tribal community, the local tribal community of the area. The art dates back to 10,000 BC, depicting the lifestyle of the tribals. The members of the community are said to be “extremely angered” and “disturbed” by the damage done to their heritage. Illegal trekkers have vandalized the paintings with chalk and whitener pens, while couples have carved their names on the rocks, permanently damaging the ancient rock paintings.

The local tribals, who believe that it was their ancestors who made the cave paintings, say that they still learn and teach customs and traditions even now. “As the government does not seem to want to protect the site, we plan on putting up warning boards prohibiting tourists from entering without our permission, and only with a guide under exceptional circumstances,” Mr. Bathran, a village elder, said in a report.

The Intach (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage), Nilgiris Chapter has sought district administration intervention into this matter. The trust wants the district administration to cordon off the heritage site and bring the rock art under the supervision of the state archeology department. A report states that the rock art, located at Parivarai, 7km from the forest area near Karikaiyur in Kotagiri, cannot be reached without the help of the local tribals; the rock face is 300ft high and 500ft long, with a deep valley laid underneath the rock, making it inaccessible. However, many villagers take the trekkers there themselves in order to make some quick money.

Dr. Suresh, the Tamil Nadu state convener of Intach was quoted on Times of India, “The rock paintings in  Parivarai near Karikaiyur village are definitely pre-historic and may be old as 10,000 BC and could be comparable to the famous rock and tribal arts in Madhya Pradesh.” The art is compared to the ones in Madhya Pradesh because they have a similar style, of red and white in wet colour technique. There are around 500 images of humans and animals painted on the rocks in Nilgiris. He also said that there are theories that tribals have lived in Nilgiris right from the Stone Age.

He suggested that the archeology department can remove the graffiti by using safe chemical technique, “The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) or the Tamil Nadu State archeology department should take action to preserve the site.”

The Nilgiris Collector, J Innocent Divya was also quoted saying, “Based on the representation by Intach-Nilgiris Chapter, a letter has been sent to the state archeology department a month ago.”