A fascinating fusion of rock art at Rudragiri hillock

Source: The post is based on the article “A fascinating fusion of rock art at Rudragiri hillock”  published in The Hindu on 19th July 2023

What is the News?

Rudragiri hillock stands as a shining example of the rich historical and artistic legacy of Andhra Pradesh.

What is Rudragiri Hillock?

Rudragiri Hillock is located in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh.

It is nestled amidst the Eastern Ghats, features five naturally formed rock shelters at its foothills, facing westward.

It features a unique combination of prehistoric rock paintings from the Mesolithic period and exquisite artwork from the Kakatiya dynasty, dating back to around 1300 AD.

Key Findings from the Rudragiri Hillock site:

The first cave presents a narrative mural portraying the intense battle between the Vanara brothers, Vali and Sugriva.

In the middle cave, a grand sketch of Hanuman, accompanied by sacred symbols of the conch (Sankha) and the fire altar (Yagna Vedi) is present. Hanuman is depicted carrying the Sanjivani hill in his right hand symbolizing his mission to save Lakshmana’s life.

The third cave houses the prehistoric rock paintings from the Mesolithic era. The Kakatiya artist chose the same rock shelter to superimpose the elegant figure of Hanuman who is portrayed in a unique ‘Anjali’ posture, folding his hands in a divine offering.

What is the Rudragiri Hillock connection with Telangana?

There is a striking resemblance between the splendid frescoes on Rudragiri’s rock shelters and those discovered in Muppavaram and Pandavula Gutta in Warangal district of Telangana. 

These similarities suggest that the Ramayana scenes depicted at Rudragiri might have drawn inspiration from the artworks at Muppavaram.

Moreover, the Ganapati Deva (1199-1262 AD), the founder of Muppavaram temple and a prominent figure of the Kakatiya dynasty likely patronized the rich ancient mural heritage found at Rudragiri.