Concerns raised over alterations at ancient rock art site near Coimbatore

The ancient rock art site at Pathimalai cave in Kumittipathi village in Coimbatore district has undergone significant alterations. 

Documentary film maker Santhosh Krishnan, who visited the place as part of his research work for a documentary, was appalled to see the cave altered with partial cement flooring, sacred stones and Tamil writings with white paint on the stall wall.

Mr. Krishnan had used visuals of the famous rock painting of an elephant from the cave for his documentary Kaliru (one of the many names of elephant in Tamil) as a historical reference for human-elephant coexistence.

Believed to be nealy 3,000 years old, the rock paintings depict a tusker, ther (chariot, some say it is a peacock), and the lives of early dwellers of the region, all drawn using white pigments. The cave is situated at the base of a rocky hillock with a temple of Lord Murugan atop.

“Some of the people present at the place said that the alterations were made by the temple administration. Stones were also being cut from the hillock,” alleged Mr. Krishnan.

According to archaeologists, Kumittipathi falls in the Palakkad Gap of the Western Ghats, where ancient trade routes (Peruvazhi) existed. However, incidents of miscreants scribbling and painting their names on the wall had been reported in the past.

Rock art expert K.T. Gandhirajan said rock paintings drawn inside caves, as in Kumittipathi, are rare in Tamil Nadu. He wanted the Coimbatore district administration to take immediate steps to protect the ancient rock art site.

An archaeology enthusiast said the present condition of the rock site was worrying as the State government had initiated efforts to declare the place as a protected archaeological monument.

“This rock or cave painting is important, having archaeological value and an asset of our region. It is mentioned in the Archaeological guide published by Tami Nadu government”, said local historian C.R. Elangovan.

Coimbatore District Collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar said the alleged alterations at the rock art site would be inquired.