Samava-sarvana Painting

There have been preserved rather many ancient paintings in India - in spite of the fact that painting is comparatively short-lived and fragile art.

It disappears together with its base - paper, fabric, wood, plaster and even walls of stone masonry buildings. Due to this today we have very few examples of ancient painting - although many indications show that painting has been very popular and well developed form of art since many thousands of years.

Caves and rock-cut structures sometimes provide suitable conditions for paintings to survive - paintings here survive not just centuries but even tens of thousands of years. Due to this the paintings in caves, on natural rock face provide the only possibility to see the ancient paintings (another, less convenient possibility is provided by ceramics). In this respect each rock painting resembles a keyhole through which we see the abundant and vital life of our ancestors.
India is extremely rich with ancient rock-cut cave temples - no other region in the world can compete with India in this respect. Geology of Deccan Plateau and some more regions of India provides enough cliff faces and domes perfectly suitable to create rock-cut architecture. It is estimated that there are more than 1,500 individual rock cut caves in India and there still are discovered new ones.
Basalt, diorite, granite is widespread in Deccan Plateau - these rocks can be tough and time resistant, thus providing ideal basis for paintings. Shade of deep cave and skilful protection from seeping water provide ideal protection from elements. Large area of India and diversity of cultures promise diversity in artistic styles as well.
Since the beginning of historical times (approximately 3rd century BC) India has experienced several periods of extreme flourishing and diversity of culture. Cultural heritage of India can be compared with the stars in the sky - everyone can look at it but no one is able to grasp the true extension of it. Painting is just one of dimensions of Indian culture - but knowing the distinguished and extraordinary achievements in other arts, we can expect values of world importance also from Indian painting.