Every painting on the ceiling of the Vasantha Mandapam at Alagar Koil has a story. There are panels depicting scenes from the Ramayana, each captioned in a mix of Telugu and Tamil; sketches of a sleeping Kumbakarna, of Rama’s birth and king Dasaratha’s children being taken to school, a war scene between Rama and Vaali... But on plain sight, none of them are visible. It requires the discerning eye of an artist or historian to see the drawings, figure out their sequence, and appreciate the colours, that have now faded with time. Done with herbal paints and red ochre during the time of king Thirumalai Nayak, the Vasantha Mandapam has stood in neglect for decades.

For some period in between, it was used as a school and then converted into a cow shed. But no attempt was made to protect and preserve the beautifully-painted panels that also include one depicting Lord Vishnu’s wedding ceremony. It is said the king, a devotee of Vishnu, got this done so that he could look at them while lying in his bed.

“It is important to know, understand and cherish these red ochre paintings done during different eras and understand the evolution of art through stories depicted,” says Rajesh Kanna, member of INTACH Madurai, who is piloting a project to ensure that the rock art remains intact. “Peoples’ knowledge of history and understanding the origin of cultures down the ages can preserve our traditions,” he adds.

P. Rajesh Kanna, EC Member, INTACH   | Photo Credit: R_ASHOK

As a beginning, INTACH Madurai has invited art lovers, historians, students, artists and even trekkers to join them for an art tour that will be conducted on April 14. It is going to be an interesting outing where in participants will take a tour of the Vasantha Mandapam — which is said to be half the size of Pudhumandapam at Meenakshi Temple — with rock art researcher and art historian K T Gandhirajan and artist P Gunasekaran. The theme and making of the Nayak period murals would be explained in detail by the artists and those interested can also use the opportunity to take photographs or make sketches of paintings they see and learn about them under the guidance of the experts.

Art work at Alagarkoil Temple near Madurai Photo:S.James   | Photo Credit: S_James.

“The art there, that resembles the Andhra style of painting, is a 400-year-old treasure,” says Rajesh, “Our aim is to give people a peek into our history and create awareness on the need to protect it.”

Those interested can assemble at Hotel Fortune Pandiyan parking lot by 6.30 am on April 14. They will be taken to Vasantha Mandapam at 7.30 am; the tour ends at 9.30 am. For details, call 9597322417 / 9443332292.