International conference on rock art gets underway in Delhi

Long before the advent of technology, people expressed their perceptions and experience in the form of paintings in ageless rocks, the only medium available then, and that is how rock art is regarded one of the most vital cultural heritage of mankind.

One of three largest concentrations of the rock art heritage in the world, India possesses some of the best paintings and etchings on huge rocks especially in Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar and Karnataka.

Inaugurating the conference, Vice President Hamid Ansari said rock art, which depicts the earliest recorded expressions of our species, is among the most important cultural heritage of mankind.

Noting that a significant part of our rock art heritage still remains outside the purview of the Archaeological Survey of India and state archaeology departments, he pitched for the need to evolve a more holistic approach to the study, documentation and conservation of rock art.

"I would urge the Ministry of Culture, the Archaeological Survey of India, state archaeology departments and other allied departments like forests, geology and mining to ensure greater integration of effort for preservation and conservation of these sites," he said.

Renowned scholars from 20 countries representing five continents would participate in the conference.

This is the second time since 1993 that IGNCA is holding an international exhibition of this type and the event is expected to feature live workshops.

The event is been pegged as a source of cultural communication between the past and the present.