<P> The origin of Indian art can be traced to pre-historic Hominid settlements in the 3rd millennium BC . On its way to modern times, Indian art has had cultural influences, as well as religious influences such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Islam . In spite of this complex mixture of religious traditions, generally, the prevailing artistic style at any time and place has been shared by the major religious groups . </P> <P> In historic art, sculpture in stone and metal, mainly religious, has survived the Indian climate better than other media and provides most of the best remains . Many of the most important ancient finds that are not in carved stone come from the surrounding, drier regions rather than India itself . Indian funeral and philosophic traditions exclude grave goods, which is the main source of ancient art in other cultures . </P> <P> Rock art of India includes rock relief carvings, engravings and paintings . It is estimated there are about 1300 rock art sites with over a quarter of a million figures and figurines . The earliest rock carvings in India were discovered by Archibald Carlleyle, twelve years before the Cave of Altamira in Spain, although his work only came to light much later via J Cockburn (1899). </P> <P> Dr. V.S. Wakankar discovered several painted rock shelters in Central India, situated around the Vindhya mountain range . Of these, the Bhimbetka rock shelters have been deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site . The paintings in these sites commonly depicted scenes of human life alongside animals, and hunts with stone implements . Their style varied with region and age, but the most common characteristic was a red wash made using a powdered mineral called geru, which is a form of Iron Oxide (Hematite). </P>

Folk and traditional arts and crafts of india