Lekhamoda
What
is the current name of these rock shelters abundant in paintings and carvings?
The locals call them Lekhamoda, justifying rock shelters with paintings or
engravings. Four Kms North of Kanika is a Lekhamoda brimming with 216 specimens
of paintings just within an area of 38 Mets. The back wall on which these
paintings have been enshrined is exposed to vagaries of nature. Paintings range
from the decorative patterns and frog figures to unidentified symbols. The broom
patterns of Ushakothi type are repeated here, yellow has been a master colour
and dominates the polychrome. The duel saw patterns in white superimposed on red
are the pride of the artists of bygone era. Red and yellow blend to perpetuate
the polychrome that has bright traces of purple red with white borders. Deer and
Pangolin are recurring motifs in these rock paintings. Man and animal, man with
matrix, man in his environ and cosmic patterns
interpreted variously still defy a meaning because it is time past.
Another
Lekhamoda at Tentlikhol is a rock shelter with East‑West orientation
facing South. Randomly executed forms present enigmatic sampling of
engravings. There are human figures in white with masks or headgear having
upraised hands. The superimpositions of darkened wash in white suggest a later
period. Human figures carry various implements and instruments like sword,
sticks and double drums. They are also seen moving in series holding hands of
each other. The carving mostly depicts female genitals of varied size and shape
with natural or carved holes and slits.
