Rare centuries-old murals found at Kolanupaka Someswara temple

Hyderabad: Members of the Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam have identified rare and colourful temple murals on the ceiling above the mantapa entrance of the historic Someswara Temple at Kolanupaka, revealing a little-known facet of Telangana’s artistic heritage.The paintings, located on the left side of the ceiling above the mantapa entrance, were first noticed by Brundam member Siripuram Narendra. The artwork was subsequently examined and analysed by team members Sriramoju Haragopal, Mullakkala Ravi Kumar, Kunde Ganesh, and Panga Megharaj.Murals depict Yakshagana scenesAccording to the team, the murals are narrative in nature and portray scenes from a Yakshagana performance. One notable panel depicts Vishvabrahma being carried in a procession, with his name inscribed in Telugu above the painting.Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam convener Sriramoju Haragopal said the script accompanying the artwork suggests the murals date back to the 16th or 17th century. Several inscriptions and labels are visible within the paintings, including the names “Eraya,” “Sharabha,” and “Sangarolu.”“It is a rare delight to witness the magnificent remains of these colourful murals on the ceiling above the mantapa entrance at the Kolanupaka Someswara Temple,” Haragopal said.The team noted that similar murals had previously been documented on stone slab ceilings at Pillalamarri and Kotagullu temples. Historical references also mention murals at Rachakonda Ramalayam, while scholar Adiraju Veerabhadra Rao had written about paintings in the Brahmana Vada Shiva Temple at Bhuvanagiri.Call for conservationThe Brundam expressed concern that many such temple murals across Telangana may have disappeared over time without documentation or preservation. It urged the department of heritage to undertake chemical conservation measures to protect the surviving artwork at Kolanupaka.“It is difficult to imagine how many such temple murals once existed across Telangana and how many have vanished without a trace. The remaining murals must be preserved as an important part of our cultural heritage. The department of heritage should protect these paintings through scientific conservation and chemical treatment,” Haragopal said.The team believes that conservation efforts could reveal additional names, inscriptions, and details currently obscured beneath the faded layers of paint.Field research and photography for the study were carried out by Sriramoju Haragopal.