A meticulous restoration project at a rock-cut shrine near Kanchipuram has led to the accidental discovery of original mineral pigments dating back to the 7th-century Pallava dynasty. While removing layers of soot and later lime-wash, conservators found vibrant traces of ochre, lapis lazuli, and cinnabar used to decorate the ceiling of the Ganesha Grotto. This finding challenges previous assumptions that early Pallava cave temples were primarily monochromatic.
The conservation team is using nanotechnology-based cleaning agents to preserve the delicate pigments without damaging the underlying granite. The project also uncovered a small, previously hidden Tamil-Brahmi inscription that credits a local merchant guild for the temple's original endowment, providing new insights into the economic life of the early medieval period in Tamil Nadu.