Dancing Colors of the Past: Unveiling Ancient Art at the Plains of Mystery (Mallachandram & Jagatab, Tamil Nadu)

- August 28, 2023

Overview: Welcome to Mallachandram, where history comes alive through the whispers of weathered stone. Here, amidst the rolling landscapes, you'll find around 200 dolmens that hold the secrets of an ancient time.

Dolmens, known as 'portholes' to experts, dot this landscape in various designs, each offering a glimpse into a different chapter of the past. Picture a circular dolmen standing proudly among stones, a silent witness to the generations it has witnessed. Another design showcases a dolmen encircled by a ring of stones, guarded by towering menhirs, standing sentinel over the resting place within.

A more intricate arrangement presents a stone cist, embraced by upright stones forming a gentle wall—a sacred space that speaks of those of great significance. And then, there's the simplicity of a lone grave, unembellished yet profound, the earliest echo of this tradition.

But the stones tell more tales beyond their shapes. They bear etchings that unravel scenes from a distant time—hunting expeditions frozen in time, snapshots of everyday life, and a menagerie of animals that once roamed these lands.

Mallachandram Dolmens

Jagatab Rock Shelters:

Step into the plains and discover a special place, a shelter where art from long ago comes to life. The shelter is about 20 feet long and has paintings in white colors. These paintings show men and women dancing in two groups. There are also square shapes drawn. Some experts think these might show places for keeping cattle. In another part of the paintings, three pairs of men are fighting. There are symbols that look like drums, a sun with eyes and a mouth, and signs of things growing. Some of the faces of men and women are shown from the side.

In this shelter, you can see stories from a long time ago. The paintings connect us with people who lived before us. They tell us about their dances, their fights, and the things they thought were important. Even though many years have passed, their art still speaks to us today.