A weekend seminar underlines the ancient routes that connected culture, art, and history at the Elephanta Caves
The rock cut sculpture of Trimurti at the Elephanta Caves
What do the Elephanta Caves have to do with the working class suburb of Ghatkopar? In the opinion of Dr Anita Rane Kothare — quite a lot. The head of the department of Ancient Indian Culture and Archaeology, St Xavier’s College, Mumbai will hold a seminar at the Elephanta Caves to describe its importance, connection and the context of its art with history. “Seminars can be held in halls and rooms,” says Dr Kothare, “but this is history and has to be observed in place.”
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Organised on April 17, on the eve of World Heritage Day, the seminar will build around the trade routes that shaped and reshaped the art and culture of the region during the period. Dr Kothare explains that the caves are the perfect place to start to understand Buddhist and Brahmanical rock art. “We will start from cave number 5, which is where the development of the island began,” she describes, “followed by a trek and talking about the Buddhist caves, genealogical aspects and geographical aspects of the city, its villages and communities.”
Dr Anita Rane Kothare with the rock cut sculpture of Shiva discovered at Parel
Located 10 kms off Mumbai, the Elephanta or Gharapuri Island Caves date back to the 5th century BCE. The artwork though holds a distant connection to another UNESCO World Heritage site nominee — the petroglyphs of Konkan.
Among the early explorers of the petroglyphs in the Konkan region, Dr Kothare says, “Konkan is known as ‘aparanta’ — an aloof land. It is a province separated from the Deccan plateau by the Sahyadris.” To cross inland, or to go to sea, these early travellers would often have to pass through the ranges. In their journey though, these groups of pioneering artists moved through locations including Sewri, Parel, Ghatkopar and Thane.
Dr Kothare expressed, “The reason they did not venture down south Mumbai was that it was out of their way. They had to journey inwards to Gujarat.” Elephanta was one such station on this journey inland.
For now, the participants of the seminar will undertake a similar journey through the historical caves with Dr Kothare. It is not all thought, the expert kindly adds, there is also an inviting breakfast, and a certificate, involved for those joining the session. After all, you cannot walk through history on an empty stomach.
On April 17
Meeting Time 8 am, Gateway of India
Call 8080039207 (Kashak Soni); 7506187039 (Kashvi Desai)
Cost Rs 600
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