Art is regarded for presenting everything in its purest and most beautiful form. It is used to express the majesty of nature, objects, deities, and other things. Thanjavur or Tanjore paintings, in fact, are one type of Indian traditional art that fiercely depicts the beauty of the almighty. Tanjore is the only traditional art style that has been able to portray the lords as well as Tanjore. Every artwork created in this manner is undeniably a celebration of divine beauty, complete with sparkling hues and gold foiling.
It’s no surprise that these paintings are still in high demand and are regarded as excellent souvenirs. That is why, this time, we felt it would be a good idea to broaden your understanding of Tanjore Paintings available at Tanjore paintings gallery. So, let’s take a closer look at this Indian traditional painting style together in this blog post.
Meaning
Unlike other Indian painting traditions, Thanjavur paintings do not appear to have been named after a Sanskrit word. Thanjavur paintings are also known as Tanjore paintings, and they are named after a city in South India. This is the city where this painting style arose and flourished, hence the name. Thanjavur is the South Indian region’s centre for architecture, religion, and art.
A Short History
During the 16th century, the Chola dynasty established this art genre. From the 16th to the 18th century, the Maratha princes, Rajus, Nayakas communities, and Madurai’s Naidus and Trichis patronised and advanced the style. Tanjore paintings, on the other hand, reached its pinnacle of popularity and renown in the 18th century under the rule of the Marathas. The paintings were used to decorate palaces and private residences.
Uniqueness
- Palagai refers to a wooden board, while Padam refers to a picture. Palagai Padam literally translates to “image on a wooden board.” Because not many paintings are created on a wooden base, Tanjore paintings are distinctive.
- Vibrant colors—Most of the colours utilised are primary and vibrant. There are no dull colours employed in the creation of these artworks. The colours red, green, and blue, as well as yellow, are commonly employed to colour the background or the clothing of the painting’s subject.
Golden foils- Golden foils are what set these paintings apart from the rest of the painting techniques. Golden foil is used in Thanjavur paintings to make jewellery, clothing, and to enhance the setting.
- Precious gems and stones- Limestone is used to paste or engrave precious gems and stones on the wooden plank. Along with the gold foil, stones and diamonds are used to stud the gowns and decorations.
- Natural colours and dyes- Previously, the colours used in these paintings were taken from plants, but currently natural colours are rarely employed. This is, nevertheless, one of the original Thanjavur paintings’ distinguishing characteristics.
Highly detailed work—the details in Tanjore Paintings are worth looking at and have the ability to captivate anyone.
Theme
The creation of celestial figures is the sole subject of these artworks. This stye is commonly associated with Shiva and Krishna paintings. Vishnu, Nataraja, Radha, and other gods and goddesses are also represented.
Making technique and process
First, a rough drawing is created. A fabric is pasted on a wooden plank to create the base. The chalk powder is then combined with water-soluble gum before being applied to the base. The crude sketch is then embellished with cut glass, stones, and pearls as the next phase.
Today’s situation:
This is one of the few painting techniques that is still popular. It’s very common in Hindu households. Tanjore’s Saraswathi Mahal Library still houses the outstanding Tanjore artworks. So, the next time you’re in Tamil Nadu, make sure to stop by this library to see some of the best Indian traditional paintings from the region.
