Paintings of Tanjore, India
Classical South Indian Painting
India is known for various beautiful murals and paintings with their bright colours and fine adornments which are truly as diverse as the nation. Her Tanjore paintings have enthralled people for centuries. ‘Mythological paintings with a rich royal heritage’ is the best definition for Tanjore paintings, and this painting ranks among the greatest traditional art forms for which India is noted worldwide. The themes of this internationally acclaimed art form are fundamentally mythological, and few art forms match the beauty and grace of Tanjore paintings.
Tanjore paintings are an extraordinary visual amalgamation of both art and craft and are a unique, ancient, miniature type of painting meant originally for royalty. They were so popular that they have been passed on from generation to generation; and thus the magnificent paintings that once adorned the royal dwellings found their way into every household.
Origin
Tanjore paintings are called sobecause they originated in Tanjore or ‘Tanjavur’, the capital city of the Chola Dynasty. The Tanjore School of Painting developed at the height of cultural evolvement of the mighty Chola Empire and dates back to the 16th century. The Chola rulers, besides being great warriors, were also great builders of magnificent temples and were great patrons of arts. It was against this setting that this highly specialised form of art with its characteristically beautiful ornamental relief work evolved and flourished under the patronage of successive rulers.
At a time when gorgeous temples were being built by rulers of several dynasties, the Tanjore art of painting flourished. Hence the figures in these paintings are large, and the faces round and divine. With the rebirth of this art in the 20th century, artists in addition to recreating the original Tanjore figures are also experimenting with more proportioned figures, animals, birds, flowers, plants and trees, etc. The figures are traditional and very innovative and their portrayal breathtaking and brilliant.
Process
Creating a Tanjore painting involves dedication and are made by skilled artisans with meticulous care, immaculate precision and enormous patience. And a painting takes 3-4 weeks to be completed.
The creation involves several stages - from the actual canvas board to the final touches:
- The first stage involves creating a base which is made on canvas. This is usually a plank of wood which was originally of Jackfruit tree.
- Over this, a layer of unbleached cloth is pasted with arabica gum.
- A paste of chalk powder or zinc oxide mixed with a water-soluble adhesive is applied on the board; and to create a smoother board a mild abrasive is used.
- Now ready for the image making process, an appropriate drawing is traced on the treated board and the decoration of the jewelry and the apparel done with semi-precious stones. This is done with a paste of chalk powder and arabica gum to create 3D effect in embellishing and ornamenting the theme using a brush. Now chalk powder and arabica gum have been now replaced with Fevicol and Plaster of Paris.
- Laces or threads are used to decorate the jewelry, and gold foils are pasted on top of this.
- Last of all, dyes are used to add vibrant colors to selected areas like pillars, arches, thrones, dresses, etc.
Colors Used
Primary colors are used in Tanjore paintings, and the colour schemes are usually strong. The important role is played by gold, which tends to bind and hold the picture in its decorative structure. In the past, natural colours like vegetable dyes were used. Now chemical paints are used to enhance sharpness and provide better shade contrast in the pictures. Though green colour is sometimes used, red is the favoured colour for the background and is the distinctive mark of Tanjore paintings. Dark brown is usually used for outlines.
Precious Paintings
Tanjore paintings are truly precious! Adorned with rubies, diamonds and other gemstones, and trimmed with gold foil, Tanjore paintings are true treasures. Nowadays, semi-precious stones are used in place of real ones, but the use of gold foil has not altered. What sets the Tanjore paintings apart from other Indian paintings in general is the three-dimensional effect and the distinctive characteristic of their gold gilt and gem set technique.
The figures in the paintings are monumental and robust, and breathtakingly brilliant with the costumes and ornaments being mostly of Deccan. The shine and glean on the gold leaves used by the Tanjore style paintings, lasts forever and are a visual treat.
Frames
Tanjore paintings range from huge works spanning whole walls to small miniatures of 6-inch square. They are usually framed and the support material used for this type of painting is wood. The frames come in two types. One kind is the wooden type wherein plain type of wood is used. The second kind is the Chettinad type which is more ornamental with designs.
The supports thus come with attractive frames and the recipient is saved the trouble of hunting for one to suit the painting. This entire piece of art is carefully handled with transparent acrylic sheets instead of glass, to avoid breakage during transit. The craftsmen of Tanjore thus bring to life the mythological characters with their art and expertise.
For Decoration
Tanjore paintings are renowned worldwide for their beauty and make place in the international handicraft business. They are one of the most expensive and elaborate crafts of traditional India and include wall paintings, calendar paintings, oil classics, miniatures and cave paintings. They decorate prayer rooms, living rooms in homes; rooms, arcades and lobbies of hotels and Corporate Offices.
Gifts & Souvenir
Tanjore paintings are the cynosure of all eyes and are believed to bring luck and fortune. Besides they captivate, enthrall and mesmerize you! They are much sought after souvenir. Homes adorning these traditional Tanjore paintings not only carry an aura of richness and auspice, they also add beauty and culture to a variety of surroundings and décor. They make fabulous and ideal gifts to your near and dear ones.
Tanjore Jesus
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Baby Krishna with Butter
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