Tanjore Paintings means a picture that gracefully tells a story. It is one of the prevalent South Indian painting styles. This famous art type is called ‘Palagai Padam’ in its native place, Tanjore city, in Tamil Nadu. Here Palagai means wooden plank, and Padam means picture. So Palagai Padam refers to a painting on a wooden plank.
These paintings were initially made on wooden planks. However, later the artists adapted cloth canvas with wooden frames and South Indian silk fabrics. This impressive painting style is one of the most treasured art forms of Tamil Nadu. Vibrant shades and gold leaf adornments are features of Tanjore paintings. In addition, the use of carved glass, pearls, and precious stones make the portraits unique.
The Tanjore Paintings mainly depict the stories and deities from the Purana, the Upanishad, and other Hindu religious books. The standard compositions include Sri Krishna, Lord Shiva, Goddess Durga, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Rama Tanjore painting. Here artists portray the story with the main character in the center of the picture, surrounded by the other figures. For example, in Tanjore Krishna Paintings, you can see Sri Krishna encircled by his playmates, cows, trees, rivers, etc.
The brilliance of this artwork is praised equally in India and the Western world. The British Museum and Victoria & Albert Museums in England are home to a great collection of Tanjur paintings. Further, the National Museum of Copenhagen showcases various Thanjavur paintings.
The influences of different dynasties and cultures have made the Tanjore paintings more appealing. The Deccan, Cholas, Vijayanagar, Marathi, and English styles are prominent in Thanjavur paintings. Let’s explore the history and technique of this radiant painting.
How to determine an authentic Tanjore Painting?
An authentic Thanjavur painting includes 22-carat gold foil. It serves two purposes. First, the shining essence makes the art piece more stunning, and second, the use of metal lengthens its life. However, foils made of imitation material also give a similar look, making it tough for buyers to identify the original article.
Genuine Tanjore paintings include a certificate. Sellers need to provide the certificate along with the paintings. It certifies that the gold and stones used are real and the artwork is genuine. A painting without a certificate may be fake or contain artificial gold foil.
The Origin of Tanjore Paintings:
Tanjore Painting was initially developed during the reign of Cholas in the 16th century. Later, the Rajus communities of Tanjore and Naidus of Madurai also contributed to the progress of this art form from the 16th to the 18th century.
However, the modern Tanjore Painting was patronaged by the Maratha sovereigns in the 17th century. It thrived under the most renowned king, Maharaja Serfoji II, from 1777 to 1832 CE. He was a significant benefactor of art and literature.
This classic artwork from Tamil Nadu is an extravaganza of the state’s rich creative practice. The Tanjore paintings are well-known for their elegant portrayals of divinities. With lively colors and intricate decorations, these paintings are the pride of Southern Indian Culture.
Though the art form has experienced many transitions over time, it retains its tremendous artistic quality even today. It also inspires art lovers worldwide with its authentic Indian tone. Let’s explore the various patrons of the Tanjur art form.
Ancient Origins and Custom
Tanjore painting got its direction in the 16th century when the Rayas of Vijayanagara extended their kingdom in southern India. They employed the Nayaka Governors, who were supporters of art and learning.
In 1676, Marathas established the kingdom in Tanjivure and promoted the development of art and culture in the region. During this period, the Tanjore painting thrived and evolved into the class and style that we acknowledge today. The Marathas adorned their palace with various God and Goddess Tanjore Paintings and portray of Maratha rulers. The most common painting used in Maratha palaces were Shiva and Durga Tanjore Paintings.
The English Taste
At the end of the 17th century, The Maratha Empire had fallen and the British entered Tanjore. They patronized the artists in Tanjore and organized albums of paintings for British officials throughout the following century.
The albums were collections of paintings on Indian topics in English fancies. The common art collections were from Hindu mythology, like Vishnu Tanjore Paintings, Lakshmi Tanjore Paintings, and Saraswati Tanjore Paintings. Moreover, the paintings included various fairs, rituals, carnivals, and Indian flora and fauna. These paintings also included descriptions of the topic in English.
The Technique of the Tanjore Paintings:
Tanjore artists create this outstanding artwork on jackfruit or teak wood board. They use vibrant colors, glass, pearls, and stones to decorate the frames. Previously the artists used vegetable and mineral dyes for coloring. However, with time chemical paints have replaced natural colors.
The popular shades of Tanjore paintings are reds, blues, and greens. The rich compositions of the mythological theme give an unmatched vibe to this particular art form. Normally, the base of a Tanjore painting is a textile fabric pasted over a wooden board. The creation of the paintings starts with sketching the initial concept of the picture on the base.
The creation of Tanjore paintings mandates diligence and perfection. Furthermore, the craftsmen of this artwork consider it a sacred task. They perform the job, maintaining some extent of ritual purity and modesty. Being respectful of the Indian artistic tradition, most artists do not sign their paintings. The popular themes in the Tanjore paintings include Shiva Tanjore Paintings, Hanuman Tanjore Paintings, and Lord Ganesha Tanjore Paintings
Important Facts about the Tanjore Paintings:
- It is one of the widespread forms of traditional South Indian artwork.
- It is the aboriginal artwork of Tanjore city in Tamil Nadu.
- The paintings are mainly done on solid wood planks.
- The theme of the Tanjore Painting is Hindu mythology.
- The rich composition, vibrant colors, and use of semi-precious stones, pearls, and glass are the specialty of these paintings
- Artists usually give a three-dimensional effect to the pictures.
Conclusion:
Tanjore paintings always have a great attraction. In recent periods, this traditional artwork has received broad commercialization. It has stood the test of time and resumes to be famous. Many Tanjore painting workshops and training camps assure that the art form continues to flourish while retaining all its rich, classic, and creative elements.