Lisa Ray Instagram – The Persistent Memory of Stones Petroglyphs in Ladakh After photographing ancient rock art in Ladakh I came upon this painting by Nicholas Roerich at the Roerich Museum in New York City “On an eroded shelf a hundred metres above the Zanskar River in Ladakh stands a snow leopard, profiled against the bronzed patina of a polished boulder. The stylized form of its body is instantly recognizable, as is the pattern of spots on its coat and the long tail that curves behind. Crouching, I study the ancient artistry of this figure that has remained unchanged for thousands of years, a timeless image baked by the sun and buffed by wind. Harsh winters and the fast-flowing streams and rivers of Ladakh have scarred the mountains all around us, but the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) remains unscathed. He watches me with a stony demeanour, alert to danger yet equally attentive to the presence of prey.” From WILD HIMALAYA by my friend Stephen Alter . First image: Snow Leopard, Ladakh Second image: Petroglyphs. Painting by Nicholas Roehrich in the Roehrich Museum New York