Prehistoric Painting of India MODULE - 1
Historical Appreciation of
Indian Painting and
Sculpture
1
Notes
PREHISTORIC PAINTING
OF INDIA
Dear learner, in this course, we will learn about Prehistoric Art, Medieval Art,
ContemporaryArt and Folk and TribalArt. First, we will learn about the Prehistoric Art
of India, i.e. Rock Paintings of
Mirzapur, Panchmarhi and
Bhimbetka.
In the Paleolithic period, early
humans lived in caves and
used stone for hunting birds
and wild animals to save their
lives. Early men then started
painting and drawing on the
walls of caves during the
Paleolithic era, some 40000
years ago. Many paintings
were found from the
Mesolithic period, around
12000 years ago from the
present time. That period was
the earliest discovery of
Prehistoric art in India.
In this lesson, we will learn
about different types of
painting in the Prehistoric age
of India.
Painting 1
MODULE - 1 Prehistoric Painting of India
Historical Appreciation of
Indian Painting and
Sculpture
OBJECTIVES
After learning the lesson, the learner will be able to:
z explain the origin of rock paintings in the prehistoric age in India;
Notes z identify the sites in different parts of India;
z identify the main features of prehistoric art;
z describe the basic history of rock paintings;
z identify different kinds of rock art.
1.1 MIRZAPUR ROCK PAINTING
Now, let us understand the Rock Painting of Mirzapur.
Basic Information
There are some caves at Kaimur hills in the valley of Son river, just 20 kms from
Mirzapur town. These caves are known as Likhunia, Bhaldaria etc. The ceilings
and walls of these caves were painted by early man. There are at least 250 rock
shelters, which are embellished with rock art on various themes. The paintings
show many species of animals, like elephants, boars and even tigers. Domestic
animals were also painted, along with wild animals.
Title : Primitive Hunters
Medium : Earth and mineral colours
Style : Prehistoric
Date : Approximately 5000 BC
General Description
In this painting, a man with a lance is shown riding a horse. He is chasing a tiger.
Primitive hunters seemed to be the most popular subject for these painters. The
hunting scene in the painting is a representation of their practical life experiences.
Primitive men used to hunt large and dangerous animals in groups. The painting
also shows a group of people chasing the animals, surrounding them, and killing
them with their primitive weapons. The colours are very limited, used to give
volume to these figures. In some cases, they have used red, black and yellow
pigments. The animals appear to be much more completely rendered than the
human figures.
2 Painting
Prehistoric Painting of India MODULE - 1
Historical Appreciation of
Indian Painting and
Sculpture
Notes
Fig. 1.1: “Primitive Hunters” Mirzapur
INTEXT QUESTIONS 1.1
Fill in the blanks.
1. The medium of Primitive Hunters painting are ................. and .................
2. Colours of pigment used in this painting are ................., ................. and
..................
3. The most popular subject of Rock Painting is .................
1.2 PACHMARHI ROCK PAINTING
Now, let us learn the Panchmarhi Rock Painting.
Basic Information
Panchmarhi hills are situated in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Rock shelters are
found all over the hills. Many of these shelters are covered with paintings depicting
a range of subjects. By popular belief, the name ‘Pachmarhi’ is derived from
Painting 3
MODULE - 1 Prehistoric Painting of India
Historical Appreciation of
Indian Painting and ‘Panch-Marhi’ or complex of five caves where the five Pandavas are supposed to
Sculpture have spent some time.
Title : Rows of Cows
Medium : Earth and mineral colours
Style : Prehistoric
Notes Date : Approximately 5000 BC
General Description
‘Rows of Cows’is one of the many paintings at this site. It shows a cowherd driving a
herd of cows to the pasture. The stylized drawing of the cows is almost geometrical,
yet it shows a lot of movement both in the animal and human figures.
Fig. 1.2: “Rows of Cows”, Panchmarhi
The colours are limited to Ochre (Geru) red in the background and white for the figures.
In many of the paintings, forms on the wall are arranged in seemingly haphazard order,
as in this painting. They are not primarily decorative. The effectiveness of works of art
of the individual forms is a result of qualities of clarity and balance.
4 Painting
Prehistoric Painting of India MODULE - 1
Historical Appreciation of
Indian Painting and
Sculpture
INTEXT QUESTION 1.2
Tick the most appropriate answer
1. Name the colours of Panchmarhi painting.
(i) White and red (ii) Blue
Notes
(iii) Black (iv) None of these
2. Write the location of Panchmarhi
(i) Uttar Pradesh (ii) Madhya Pradesh
(iii) West Bengal (iv) Bihar
ACTIVITY
You have learnt the rock paintings. Now, fill the table below:
Name of State Theme Type of figure found
1.3 BHIMBETKA ROCK PAINTING
You have learnt Panchmarhi Rock Painting. Let us understand the Bhimbetka
Basic Information
Bhimbetka is situated near Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. There are more than 754
rock shelter caves here. These are beautifully decorated with paintings. There are
varied themes in these paintings. The rock paintings belong to the Mesolithic
period of hunter-gatherers. The painter portrayed man and his relationship with
animals. The human figures are shown with different kinds of animals like bulls,
bisons, elephants, wild boars etc.
Title : Fighters
Medium : Earth and mineral colours
Style : Prehistoric
Date : Approximately 5000 BC
Painting 5
MODULE - 1 Prehistoric Painting of India
Historical Appreciation of
Indian Painting and
Sculpture
Notes
Fig. 1.3: “Fighters” Bhimbetka
General Description
In this painting, many human figures are shown along with different kinds of
animals. All the human figures hold many types of primitive weapons. The men are
going to kill or capture these wild animals. The silhouette forms of figures are full
of action.
The painting shows four men attacking different animals. They are also taming a
horse. It is interesting to compare the human and animal forms from the point of
view of the completeness with which they are suggested by the artistic conventions.
The appearance of the bow is also very interesting as it was not found in the earlier
period. Paintings like these are still executed by the Warli painters of Maharashtra.
INTEXT QUESTIONS 1.3
1. Where is Bhimbetka located?
2. Which period do these paintings belong to?
3. Identify at least one animal in the ‘Fighters’ painting.
6 Painting
Prehistoric Painting of India MODULE - 1
Historical Appreciation of
Indian Painting and
Sculpture
WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT
Notes
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The learner
z makes beautiful composition of Rock Art by using the forms and figures
of rock painting.
z illustrates rock art on their house hold objects.
TERMINAL QUESTIONS
1. Which period does the Prehistoric art in India belong to?
2. Name the rock art in India.
3. Describe the different rock art.
4. Write a short note on the method and materials of prehistoric rock paintings?
5. What is the theme of the painting of Mirzapur?
6. Write two lines on Pachmarhi cave paintings.
7. Name the animals shown in the paintings of Bhimbetka.
8. Why did primitive men paint many species of animals?
9. Write one similarity with the tribal art form of India.
10. The appearance of the bow is very interesting. Explain in your own words.
Painting 7
MODULE - 1 Prehistoric Painting of India
Historical Appreciation of
Indian Painting and
Sculpture
ANSWERS TO INTEXT QUESTIONS
1.1
1. Earth and mineral colour.
Notes 2. Red, black and yellow
3. Hunting
1.2
1. (i) White
2. (ii) Madhya Pradesh
1.3
1. Near Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh
2. Mesolithic
3. Horse
GLOSSARY
Paleolitic - Early Stone Age
Mesolithic - Middle Stone Age
Neolithic - New Stone Age
Mineral colours - obtained from stones (minerals)
Silhouette - dark image outlined against a light background
Rock engraving - the surface is carved into get forms
Rock brushing - Fat or other sticky things are brushed on the surface,
after that powder colours are painted on it.
8 Painting
