Mysore/Mysuru: In a captivating display of Karnataka’s rich prehistoric heritage, the Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage at the Dasara Exhibition Complex in the city has opened a mesmerising and informative photo exhibition gallery titled ‘Karnataka Prehistoric Ruins’. Visitors are treated to a journey back in time, exploring the fascinating traces of human activities preserved in rocks.

Renowned photographer Dinesh Manir, celebrated for capturing the cultural and scenic beauty of Karnataka, has skilfully documented prehistoric remnants found in various locations, including Ballari’s Sanganakallu, Bagepalli, Chikkaballapur, Ramanagara, and Pavagada in Tumakuru district.

The exhibition showcases stone tombs, music stones, circle stone tombs and other unique stone photographs, all contributing to a captivating visual narrative of Karnataka’s Stone Age culture prevalent in the South known as ‘Dhakkan’ or ‘Dakshin’. Dinesh Manir’s striking photographs, previously featured in reputed publications like National Geographic and Open Magazine, bring these ancient artefacts to life.

One standout exhibit features the music stones of Sanganakallu in Ballari, where visitors can scan QR codes to watch videos on YouTube, revealing the stones producing various musical sounds. Historians note that these stones were used for musical activities during the Neolithic Age, offering a                     unique glimpse into ancient cultural practices.

Spanning approximately a thousand acres in the Sanganakallu and Kapagallu Hills and plains of Ballari, the exhibition also includes images of Neolithic to Megalithic remains. A photo of an ash pit in Kudatini, Ballari, suggests cultural activities dating back to 3000-1500 BC, while a flower-shaped ‘Shilagori’ (rock tomb) in Bagepalli, Chikkaballapur district, showcases the artistry of the same period where stone slabs were used to build a burial place.

The gallery features various structures like man-made stone formations (‘Kallasare’) in Bagepalli, ‘Nilusugallu’ in Pavagada, ‘Shilagori’ (rock tomb) in Hakkinalu village in Ramanagara, and ‘Kallu Kuttu’ (mortar and pestle) carved into the rock in Pavagada. Additionally, ancient stone formations and paintings from Kuttanakeri in Bagalkot district, with a history spanning over a thousand years, offer a glimpse into the region’s rich cultural tapestry.

Tourism Minister H.K. Patil opened the exhibition recently in the presence of Tourism Department Secretary Salma K. Fahim, Department of Archaeology Museums and Heritage Commissioner A. Devaraju and Deputy Director C.N. Manjula. The event marked a celebration of Karnataka’s prehistoric treasures, inviting visitors to embark on an awe-inspiring journey through time.

Talakad Excavation Museum opens 

The Talakad Excavation Museum, serving as the information hub for 20 heritage sites across the State, has officially opened its doors at the Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage in Mysuru. Nestled within the museum is a state-of-the-art Digital Photo Exhibition on Monument Conservation, providing visitors with a visually stunning journey through Karnataka’s rich cultural heritage. The museum is open to the public every day from 10 am to 6 pm and entry is free. — A. Devaraju, Commissioner, Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, Mysuru