Tanjore Paintings

Tanjore (or Thanjavur or Thanjavoor) paintings have a very rich heritage. This style of painting has been followed widely by the people in Southern Tamil Nadu for the past two centuries. The art flourished in Tanjavoor, pronounced Tanjore, the capital city of the Chola dynasty, and thus got its name. Maratha princes, Nayaks of Vijaynagar dynasty, Rajus communities of Tanjore and Trichi and Naidus of Madurai patronized the art of Tanjore painting from 16 to 18th centuries. Tanjore paintings are deeply rooted in tradition and still innovative within limits. This art is sacred and dedicated.

The paintings are notable for their adornment in the form of semi-precious stones, pearls, glass pieces and gold. The rich vibrant colors, dashes of gold, semi-precious stones and fine artistic work are characteristics of these paintings. They add beauty and culture to a variety of surroundings and décor. The paintings are mostly of Gods and Goddesses because this art of painting flourished at a time when fine-looking and striking temples were being constructed by rulers of several dynasties. The figures in these paintings are large and the faces are round and divine. However, with the rebirth of this art in the twentieth century, artists in addition to recreating the original Tanjore figures are also experimenting with more proportioned figures, birds, flowers, animals, etc.

The creation of this painting involves a lot of dedication and several stages of meticulous work of art. The first and foremost step being the preparation of a board (wooden plank) for the painting. The paintings are done on unbleached cloth (treated with chalk powder and glue) fixed to a wooden board. Next, an appropriate drawing is traced on the treated board. This step is followed by ornamental work where semi-precious stones and glass pieces are stuck to form garlands, jewels, etc. The traced outline is then painted with a combination of chalk powder and gum arabica to create a three dimensional effect. It is in the detail-oriented decoration of the Gods and Goddesses that the creativity of an artist is demonstrated. Gold foils are then used lavishly to add to the opulence of these paintings. Finally, dyes are used to add vibrant colors to the figures in the paintings. A beautiful frame is then selected to accentuate the beauty of the painting.