Udupi: Two days international rock art fest was unveiled by lighting the lamp by hereditary managing trustee of Maranakatte Brahmalingeshwara temple Sri. Sadashiva Shetty. Erwin Neumayer an art historian from Austria was the general president of two days fest said that every student of Indian rock art remembers, that for a long time, the western ghats and coastal line west of it were considered devoid of any form of prehistoric art. why it should be like that was puzzling and unclear, since palaeolithic as well as mesolithic tools were known since long from here as well. I must tell you, that rock art researchers in India did take engravings on the brittle surface of laterite devoid of any considerable age and therefore neglected reports about it for a long time. Even when information from Kerala, South Canara, Goa and the Konkan were published, along with photographs, official archaeology took hardly any notice of these finds. Archaeologists were slow in taking notice of this finds and potentials this art held for the study of the prehistory of the region. Already the government of Maharashtra supports the study and safeguarding of some of the sites with engravings, by funding the research and protection.
I therefore congratulate the Mujik Sunder Ram Shetty College, Shirva, to support professor Murugeshi's projects in studying this ancient remains of rock art, so that many young students and many more people and institutions will join hands in supporting and protect these subtle, but nonetheless important prehistoric remains. In that way the laterite engravings will be part of a long and recognized heritage, of which the Indian people will be proud of.
Dr. Ravi Korisettar Hon., Director R.B. Foote Sanganakallu, Archaeological museum, Ballari said that, this fest is unique because it is a public outreach program which involves artists, archaeologists , art historians and local people.
Dr. Athul Kumar Shetty., Trustee of Kolluru Sri Mookambika temple, said that the rock engravings of Avalakki Pare is the great tresure of our rich heritage about we proud of.
Prof. Y. Bhaskar Shetty., administrator of the college, released brocher of Prehistory of Tulunadu and said that the department of Ancient History and Archaeology has been making several discovries from the past few decades. Along with new discovries the department also has been creating and disseminating knowledge.
Dr. Jayaram Shettigar., the President of Mangalore University History Teachers Association (MANUSHA), released Kannada brocher and appreciate the Rock Art Fest. Sri. Ameen Shetty, the President of Iduru-Kunjadi Grama Panchayat delivering his presidential address and said that today by this fest we the people understanding the importence of rock engravings of Avalakki Pare and will take needful to protect them. Later on Dr. Ravi Kori Settar was delivered Keynote address and Dr. Mohan R was delivered a special lecture on Dr. A. Sundara.
Organizing secretary of the fest Prof. T. Murugeshi welcoming the gathering, Kum Sandhya performing Master of Cermony and Prof Shwetha k proposed the vote of thanks. The International Rock Art Fest organized by M.S.R.S. College NSS Unit and deprt., of Ancient History and Archaeology in association with International Arts and Cultural Foundation, Bangaluru, Dept., of Tourism, Udupi district, Dept., of Forest, Udupi district and Iduru-Kunjadi Grama panchayt.