(Wakankar Research Trust)
Wakankar Bharati Sanskriti Anveshan Nyas was established in
1986 at Ujjain, M. P. with a view to promote educational and cultural activities.
Life sketch of late Padmashree Dr Vishnu Shridhar Wakankar
Born on 4th May 1919 at Neemuch (M. P.)
Education: G. D. (Art), M. A. and Ph. D.
Director: Bharati Kala Bhavan, Rock Art Research Center
Founder President: Wakankar Bharati Sanskriti Anveshan Nyas
1963: Dorabjee Tata Trust Scholarship for education in France
1961-63: French government Scholarship for Research in Sorbornne, France
1966: Invitation from U.S.A. for studies in Rock Arts
1975: Recipient of "Padmashree"
1981: Presentation of paper at Capo de Ponte – Italy
1984: Exhibition on "India’s contribution to the World" in USA
1984: Studies in Mayan and Aztec civilization in USA
1988: Dr. Wakankar died at Singapore
Published more than 6 books and 400 publications
Lectured at more than 16 places abroad
Activities of Wakankar Shodh Sansthan
Rock arts
Dr V. S. Wakankar the "Pitamaha" of Rock Art School in India had carried out extensive work on Rock Art in India and abroad since 1954. In this connection, he studied rock arts in UK, Austria, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Greece, Mexico, Egypt and USA.
With co-workers like Dr. Surendrakumar Arya, Dr. (Mrs.) Daljit Khare, Dr. Narayan Vyas, Dr. Giriraj, Mr. Kailash Pande, Mr. Pancholiji, Dr. Jitendradutta Tripathi, Dr. (Mrs.) Bharati Shrotri , Dr. Dubey as well as Mr. U. N. Mishra, Mr. Lothar Banke, Mr. Irwin Mayer, Mr. Robert Brooks, Dr V. S. Wakankar, did extensive research in the field of Rock Arts.
Dr. Wakankar discovered and studied more than 4000 rock caves in India and also discovered rock shelter paintings in Europe and America, dating of Indian artists activities date back to 40,000 years ago.
Today "Wakankar Shodh Sansthan" boasts of a private collection of about 7500 sketches of Rock art paintings sketched by none other than Dr. Wakankar himself of which about 4000 are those discovered by Dr. Wakankar himself.
Archeological Surveys
Since 1954, Dr. Wakankar along with his colleagues Mr. Sachidananda Nagdeve, Mr. Muzaffar Qureshi, Mr. Rahim Guttiwala, explored the ravines of Chambal and Narmada rivers and carried out excavations at Maheshwar (1954), Navada Toli (1955), Manoti (1960), Awara (1960), Indragadh (1959), Kayatha (1966), Mandsaur(1974, 1976), Azadnagar(1974), Dangawada (1974, 1982), Verconium Roman site in England (1961) and Incoliev in France (1962), Runija (1980), etc.
Numismatics and Epigraphy
An expert in the field of Numismatics and Epigraphy Dr. Wakankar has collected and studied about 5500 coins ranging from 5th Century B. C. onwards. These are today the pride collection of the "Wakankar Shodh Sansthan".
Dr. Jagannath Dubey, Dr. Murali Reddy, late Mr. Narayan Bhatiji have contributed immensely to this Herculean task of collection and painstaking study. Apart from this, he studied more than 15000 coins at Ujjain.
Similarly, ranging from 2nd Century B. C. is a collection of about 250 inscriptions in Sanskrit, Prakrit , Brahmi languages which enriches the collection of "Wakankar Shodh Sansthan".
Dr. Wakankar worked with eminent personalities such as Dr. Sankalia, Mr. Mortimer Wheeler, Mr. K. K. Lele, Mr. S. K. Dikshit, Mr. Jerry Jacobson, Mr. N. R. Banerjee, Dr. S. B. Deo, Dr. Dhavalikar, Dr. Tilner, Prof. Deen Glanial, Prof. Allchio, Dr. Burkitt, Dr. Zeunner, Prof. A. Leroi Gourham, etc.
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