A Tale Of Bhimbetka Poem by Ahmad Shiddiqi
A Tale Of Bhimbetka
(dedicated to my poet friend from India at poemhunter)
Bhim-bait-ka
Bheem sat on these rocks
the name is derived from
Sanskrit epic Mahabharata
largest collection of prehistoric art
discovered and explored
by Dr.V.S.Wakankar
a great archaeologist
from train he noticed caves
dotting the hills in distance
he cut through deep forest
climbed up to the caves
surrounded by northern fringe
of the Vindhyan ranges
lies 46 km south of Bhopal
in State of Madhya Pradesh
continuous habitation
from Early Stone Age
biggest repository
of Indian prehistoric art
one of earliest dwellings
of human beings
will take you back
to 35,000 years old history
prehistoric caves
fascinating paintings
to Paleolithic times
a cultural sequences
stone floors
hand-axes
hard quartz
tiny needles
cleavers, scrapers
stone hand mills
colored earth
called Ochre
a woman with a child
household chores
hunt documentation
raid during warfare
the Stone Age artists
painted their hopes, fears
weaving an enchantment
that still ensnares us
weather worn walls
over these caves
display great vitality
and narrative skill
experience the journey
back to Stone Age Man
move around gently
examine surroundings
each boulder
every overhanging rocks
speaks and describes
the magical history
rocky terrain
dense forest
craggy cliffs
over 600 rock shelters
vivid, panoramic detail
paintings in over 500 caves
depict the life and activity
prehistoric cave dwellers
hunting
dancing
music
horse riders
elephant riders
animals fighting
honey collection
bodies decoration
bison
tigers
lions
wild boar
antelopes
dogs
lizards
bulls
elephants
horses
crocodiles
rhinoceros
weapons
birds
musical instruments
pregnant women
burial
drinking
figures of Yakshas
men carrying dead animals
the tree gods
magical sky chariots
tunic like dresses
the existence of scripts
popular religious
ritual symbols
disguises, masking
household scenes
red
white
green
yellow
mixture of colors, soft red stone
manganese, hematite,
wooden coal, animal’s fat
extracts of leaves
You gave life to everything. You took us on another delicious learning experience. Thank you. Definitely have a sense of knowing the area. Carol
Fascinating. Time out of mind. Very educational. Ten from me. Warm regards, Sandra
As a historical narrative, this is quite a remarkable composition, Ahmad, and a rewarding one to read as it is packed full with so much knowlege of your very interesting subject. As a poem, it falls a little short, because there really is no ending to it, a summation or comment that would tie in all you spoke of prior to the ending. A closing verse would give this interesting write the poetic summation it needs.
Well written and very antique and historical in description.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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5/6/2024 2:32:07 PM # 1.0.0.1119
Wow.I have a very strong interest in archaeology and I love this poem. I hope someday to visit these caves.Good and very interesting freeform poem.Thanks so much it really brightened my day.A ten and a big smile from me.