Introduction to Tanjore Paintings
'Religious paintings with a royal heritage' is the best definition for Thanjavur paintings, now better known as Tanjore paintings. Tanjore painting ranks among the greatest traditional art forms for which India is noted worldwide. Their themes are fundamentally mythological. These religious paintings demonstrate that spirituality which is the essence of creative work. Few art forms match the beauty and grace of Tanjore paintings. Tirupati Balaji Tanjore Paintings are amongst the most famous form.
'Religious paintings with a royal heritage' is the best definition for Thanjavur paintings, now better known as Tanjore paintings. Tanjore painting ranks among the greatest traditional art forms for which India is noted worldwide. Their themes are fundamentally mythological. These religious paintings demonstrate that spirituality which is the essence of creative work. Few art forms match the beauty and grace of Tanjore paintings. Tirupati Balaji Tanjore Paintings are amongst the most famous form.
Originating in Tanjavur about 300 kms from Chennai, this art form was evolved and flourished under the patronage of successive rulers. Tanjore Painting of India originated during the 16th century, under the reign of the Cholas. These magnificent paintings adorned the royal dwellings and later found their way into every household.
Composition of Tanjore Painting
The dense composition, surface richness and vibrant colors of Indian Thanjavur Paintings distinguish them from the other types of paintings. There are embellishments of semi-precious stones, pearls, golden foiling and glass pieces that further add to their appeal. The relief work gives them a three dimensional effect.
An extraordinary visual amalgamation of both art and craft, the paintings mainly consist of themes on Hindu gods and goddesses, with figures of Lord Krishna in various poses and depicting various stages of his life being best loved by general public.
Significance of Tanjore Painting
The myriad hues of our daily life is weaved into our heritage through our rich blend of art and architecture. These paintings are like light in a dark tunnel. It’s very difficult to find contemporary artists who don’t shy away from associations with spirituality. Bold colours like orange, red, blue and gold are used in vivid abstractions of symbols drawn from mythology. Tanjore painting have often been termed as an extension of the “neo-tantric” genre but it actually is above labels and is about engaging with energy. It is striking to discover a form in the formless. Gods and goddesses have descended in glittering gold attire.
The purpose of art, culture and tradition is to delight people. Anything made with hand is important, beautiful and costly. Hence, people go for Tanjore paintings despite the cost because after a period of time these add an antique value to them.
Unique Features of Tanjore Painting
The characteristics of the Tanjore paintings are their brilliant colour schemes, decorative jewellery with stones and cut glasses and remarkable gold leaf work. The liberal use of gold leaf and precious and semi-precious stones presents a splendid visual treat. These give life to the pictures such that the pictures come alive in a unique way. Adorned with rubies, diamonds and other precious gemstones, and trimmed with gold foil, Tanjore paintings are true treasures. Nowadays, however, semi-precious stones are used in place of real ones, but the use of gold foil has not altered. The shine and glean on the gold leaves used by the Tanjore style paintings, lasts forever.
Making of Tanjore Painting
Art is a form that thrives on human imagination and creativity. But, making it from the root level to give perfect finishing requires great effort.
• Of the numerous steps involved in the making of a Tanjore Painting, the first involves drawing of the preliminary sketch of the image on the base. The base is made up of a cloth, which is pasted over a wooden base.
• The second step consists of mixing chalk powder or zinc oxide with water-soluble adhesive and applying it on the base.
• Thereafter, the drawing is made and ornamented with cut glass, pearls and even semi-precious stones. Laces or threads may also be used to decorate the painting.
• To further augment the effect, wafer thin sheets of gold are pasted in relief on some parts of the painting, while the other parts are painted in bright colors.
A hall cramped with a variety of 3D and 2D Tanjore paintings of Buddha, Balaji, sequence of Paramapadam, Ramar pattabhisekams, 63-Nayanmars, Tirupati Brahmotsavam, etc is suffice to draw attention of ethnic art lovers. But the one which instantly grabs the eyeball is Lord Krishna, who overshadows the rest. The artists are underlined with unconventional visuals but rooted to culture and tradition in theme and context as per demand.
Buddha & Krishna Tanjore Painting:
A blend of Krishna Tanjore painting along with the Buddha statue is an exclusive work of art as it comes with an intricately carved and colourfully decorated door that gives us an impression of entering into a temple. They use the colours accordingly to create an art that is true to the facts and traditions of that period. Tanjore paintings have gained prominence over an era. For instance, the sitting Krishna is unassumingly bigger than the other standing figures. Similarly, size of the baby Krishna is bigger than that of his mother. In Ramar Pattabhishekam, Hanuman and cavalry appear tiny.
Tell us what you think about these in the comments section.
Composition of Tanjore Painting
The dense composition, surface richness and vibrant colors of Indian Thanjavur Paintings distinguish them from the other types of paintings. There are embellishments of semi-precious stones, pearls, golden foiling and glass pieces that further add to their appeal. The relief work gives them a three dimensional effect.
An extraordinary visual amalgamation of both art and craft, the paintings mainly consist of themes on Hindu gods and goddesses, with figures of Lord Krishna in various poses and depicting various stages of his life being best loved by general public.
Significance of Tanjore Painting
The myriad hues of our daily life is weaved into our heritage through our rich blend of art and architecture. These paintings are like light in a dark tunnel. It’s very difficult to find contemporary artists who don’t shy away from associations with spirituality. Bold colours like orange, red, blue and gold are used in vivid abstractions of symbols drawn from mythology. Tanjore painting have often been termed as an extension of the “neo-tantric” genre but it actually is above labels and is about engaging with energy. It is striking to discover a form in the formless. Gods and goddesses have descended in glittering gold attire.
The purpose of art, culture and tradition is to delight people. Anything made with hand is important, beautiful and costly. Hence, people go for Tanjore paintings despite the cost because after a period of time these add an antique value to them.
Unique Features of Tanjore Painting
The characteristics of the Tanjore paintings are their brilliant colour schemes, decorative jewellery with stones and cut glasses and remarkable gold leaf work. The liberal use of gold leaf and precious and semi-precious stones presents a splendid visual treat. These give life to the pictures such that the pictures come alive in a unique way. Adorned with rubies, diamonds and other precious gemstones, and trimmed with gold foil, Tanjore paintings are true treasures. Nowadays, however, semi-precious stones are used in place of real ones, but the use of gold foil has not altered. The shine and glean on the gold leaves used by the Tanjore style paintings, lasts forever.
Making of Tanjore Painting
Art is a form that thrives on human imagination and creativity. But, making it from the root level to give perfect finishing requires great effort.
• Of the numerous steps involved in the making of a Tanjore Painting, the first involves drawing of the preliminary sketch of the image on the base. The base is made up of a cloth, which is pasted over a wooden base.
• The second step consists of mixing chalk powder or zinc oxide with water-soluble adhesive and applying it on the base.
• Thereafter, the drawing is made and ornamented with cut glass, pearls and even semi-precious stones. Laces or threads may also be used to decorate the painting.
• To further augment the effect, wafer thin sheets of gold are pasted in relief on some parts of the painting, while the other parts are painted in bright colors.
A hall cramped with a variety of 3D and 2D Tanjore paintings of Buddha, Balaji, sequence of Paramapadam, Ramar pattabhisekams, 63-Nayanmars, Tirupati Brahmotsavam, etc is suffice to draw attention of ethnic art lovers. But the one which instantly grabs the eyeball is Lord Krishna, who overshadows the rest. The artists are underlined with unconventional visuals but rooted to culture and tradition in theme and context as per demand.
Buddha & Krishna Tanjore Painting:
A blend of Krishna Tanjore painting along with the Buddha statue is an exclusive work of art as it comes with an intricately carved and colourfully decorated door that gives us an impression of entering into a temple. They use the colours accordingly to create an art that is true to the facts and traditions of that period. Tanjore paintings have gained prominence over an era. For instance, the sitting Krishna is unassumingly bigger than the other standing figures. Similarly, size of the baby Krishna is bigger than that of his mother. In Ramar Pattabhishekam, Hanuman and cavalry appear tiny.
Tell us what you think about these in the comments section.