Murals found in Warangal
Shiva Kumar Pinna
Source - http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-18/hyderabad/29443335_1_murals-mandal-mangapet
TADWAI (WARANGAL): Adding lustre to the historical significance of Warangal district, which was ruled by the erstwhile Kakatiya dynasty, some murals of aboriginal tribes have come to light recently. Warangal has already gained popularity as a `lake district' due to the importance of Ramappa, Laknavaram and Pakhal lakes.
An archaeological team stumbled upon these wonderful murals when it was conducting a research in the thick forest village of Bandala in Pasra mandal and on a forest hillock at Narsapur village in Tadwai mandal. The archaeology personnel said that the murals were drawn between 9th and 10th century. The team also found dolmens which could throw some more light on prehistoric megalithic period.
Dolmens were found at Kannegutta and Bommaloddi villages in Tadwai mandal, 87 km from the district headquarters. S S Ranga Charyulu, retired deputy director of Archaeological Survey of India, said precious dolmens and murals were important to the future generations for research and preservation of culture. "The dolmen culture was seen only in Egypt and other European countries," he noted.
Sources said body shapes of women and men were found sculpted at Rajipet (Khammam district border) in Malluru village in Mangapet mandal. "There were some rock coffins at Katapur village in Tadwai also," a team member said.
It may be recalled that murals of Pandavas were found at Gontemma guha (den) in 1990 at Thirumalagiri village in Regonda mandal. This place is now famous as Pandavula Gutta. On the occasion of World Heritage Day on April 18, Intac is conducting an awareness programme on heritage at Pandavula Gutta.
Inside the den, paintings of Lord Ganesha, Shiva, Hanuman, Vishnu and Saraswati are the major attraction. Recently, the government had sanctioned Rs 25 lakh to Pandavula Gutta for preserving the paintings.
"The government must make efforts to preserve this invaluable treasure for future generations," Ranga Charyulu said. Sources said AP has wonderful murals at Keesaragutta in Hyderabad, Kachanapally and Ramchandrapuram in Khammam, Chintakunta at Kadapa, Kethavaram and Puricherla at Kurnool and Buddagani in Anantapur district.
"The finding of dolmens and murals at Pasra and Tadwai is laudable. It showcases the pristine glory and beautiful artwork of the tribes in that era," Charyulu added.