Famous Paintings of Tanjore

Thanjavur paintings basically signify paintings created using a style and technique, which originated in Thanjavur during the Maratha period in the 16th century.  A typical Thanjavur painting would consist of one main figure, a deity, with a well-rounded body & almond shaped eyes. This figure would be housed in an enclosure created by means of an arch, curtains etc. The painting would be made by the gilded and gem-set technique - a technique where gold leaves & sparkling stones are used to highlight certain aspects of the painting like ornaments, dresses etc.

The painting would be bright and colourful and breathtakingly beautiful. The impact in a darken room is that of a glowing presence. While most of the paintings would depict the Child Krishna and his various pranks, paintings of other deities were also created. Over a period of time changes have occurred in the stylization - for example, the figures are no longer round. Presiding deities of various famous temples are also being depicted in the paintings. The technique is now more in use than the style. 

Tanjore Painting is a peculiar, ancient, miniature type of painting named after the place Thanjavur (called Tanjore in English) in Tamil Nadu, a Southern state of INDIA. Thanjavur district is famous for various arts and crafts in which paintings are ranked high among the other arts like Thanjavur Toys, Thanjavur Plates, etc. Its origin dates back to the Nayak & the Maratha period in the 16th century. 

The Maratha rule of Thanjavur lasted for about 2 centuries from the late 16th century. The Thanjavur school of painting evolved in a period full of political chaos in South India. Thanjavur Paintings flourished under the patronage of the Nayak & Maratha princes in the 16th to the 18th centuries. The art was practiced by two main communities namely - the Rajus in Tanjore and Trichy(a city near Tanjore) and Naidus in Madurai(a city ruled by Pandiyas) The artists (Rajus & Naidus) who are originally Telugu speaking people from "Rayalseema" region, moved to Tamil Nadu in the wake of the Nayaks rule of Madurai & Tanjore. The paintings were rooted in tradition and innovation was limited. The art was sacred to those master craftsmen who choose to be anonymous and humble. 

Paintings were done on materials like wood, glass, mica, and exotic media such as ivory, murals and manuscripts. Most of the paintings were of Hindu deities & saints. Other courtly and secular portraits were also created. 

The early paintings were embedded with real Diamonds, Rubies and other precious stones. Later, use of semi-precious and artificial stones gained popularity. There are some examples of this art in the "Saraswathi Mahal Library", in Tanjore, set up & developed by King - Serfoji II This monarch, who reigned from 1798 to 1832, to whom we owe the "Ganesha shrine" in the "Tanjore Big Temple", played an important part in the history of the art of his times.

The Craft of Making Musical Instruments

Tamil Nadu, the hot seat of Indian culture flourished under the regime of the ancient rulers of the Pallava, Pandya, Chola and Vijayanagar dynasties. The splendid temples do not only evince the state’s grandeur, but the craft of making musical instruments also speak volumes for themselves.

The art and culture of Tamil Nadu flourished under the benefaction of the ancient monarchs who were lovers of art and patronized the ancient craftsmen. Today it is a thriving revenue-generating industry and a source of livelihood of many.

Music and dance dominate Tamil Nadu’s cultural scenario. A natural ramification of this led to the establishment of musical instrument making shops and industries. A vast majority of these centers are situated around Thanjavur, which has produced some of the country’s leading musicians.

Tamil Nadu is noted for classifying musical instruments according to category as well as the occasion for which it has been designed. While the Naadaswaram gains prominence during wedding ceremonies, the Kumbu is played during religious festivals. The state also manufactures several percussion instruments, which closely resemble the tom-toms of Africa that serve the purpose of transferring messages.

Tamil Nadu’s magnum opus however rests in the archetypal wooden Yaazh, shaped like boats, fishes or crocodiles and serves the purpose of a harp or a lute. This obsolete instrument finds adequate mention in the ancient Tamil epic the Silappadikaaram. The members of the Thanjavur families were primarily engaged in this craft.

The state is also known for its wooden-based thamburas, varieties of flutes or kuzhal-a wind instrument locally known as vangiyam that pay a tribute to Lord Krishna’s talent.

The state of Tamil Nadu has given birth to several musical legends and also organizes several musical soirees replete with the performance of several musical luminaries and thus is a music lover’s paradise.

The Art of Creating Jewellery

The practice of offering costly and the best jewellery to Gods and Goddesses in temples was more predominant in South India. The ornaments are made of gold, diamonds, silver, gems etc. This is the origin of the term “ temple jewellery” which was made by trained artists in temple workshops. The temple jewellery of the South is better preserved, since the South did not face foreign invasions or incursions.

The art of jewellery making reached high sophistication during the Chola period. It was polished to its zenith under Krishnadevaraya of the Vijaynagar empire. However, the majority of the existing gems in South Indian temples today, trace their origin to the Nayaka period. Alien influences also affected the style and form of South Indian jewellery, especially during the Mughal period.

The jewellery takes inspiration from nature and most patterns are derivations from flora, fauna, birds and animals. Recurring motifs include mango, lotus, eagle, swans etc. Strict measures were taken to preserve and protect these temple treasures.

Gold was handworked painstakingly and stones were set in it in a closed setting. Coloured stones were set to add to the splendour of the craftsmanship. Delicate pearls were used to give a tinkling edge to the heavy pieces, almost like a lace edging. When the Tamils settled in Burma, fled the country, they converted their wealth into priceless rubies, which were easy to take along. Hence the predominance of rubies in South Indian jewellery.

The South Indian woman was considered the embodiment of Goddess Lakshmi, and adorned herself alluringly. Her adornment included bangles, necklace, earrings, anklets, nose ring, girdles, amulets and hair ornaments. The traditional jewellery of South India, are exquisite pieces of wearable art.

Rakodi is a gently curved, disc - shaped jewel, attached at the top of a braid.

Odyanam is the embellished golden band South Indian women wear to clasp their slender waist

Jimkis are the traditional earrings, shaped like umbrellas, delicately suspended, worn by women.

Kaasumalai is a necklace made of fused coins, and a must for every self respecting South Indian family

Kempu kal ( red stone ) sits like a choker on the neck, set with graded, uncut rubies

Kadukan are the earrings were worn by men

Adigai is also a necklace made up of rubies, but has a pendant (padakam) attached to it. The pendant usually has a large stone in the center, surrounded by smaller stones and finished with gold beads or pearls.

The temple jewellery of South India shows a remarkable similarity to the temple sculptures. Today’s jewelers take pride in replicating these temple designs and creating “new” temple jewellery.

Metalware

The well known copper and brass metalware has an ancient and rich tradition in Tamil Nadu. These metal objects are utilized for both secular and religious purposes, though utility is the main consideration. The lamp or the deepam is regarded as a sign of Agni, which is auspicious. There is a wide variety of lamps which comprise of standing lamps, deepalakshmis, aarathi(votive lamps), chain lamps and hand lamps. Shallow dishes and patterned trays in hexagonal, circular, oval and octagonal shapes are extensively used in Tamil Nadu and are made using bronze or sheet brass. The well known Thanjavur plates feature designs of birds, deities, geometric patterns, flowers beaten out from the back of silver and copper sheets and then crusted on a brass tray, panchpaathra or kudam. Metal toys comprise of models of cows, horses, elephants etc chiefly made of brass. An entire range of appealingly polished and finished utensils of utility value are made as well.

Pottery

Pottery is the ceramic ware made by potters. Major types of pottery include earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. The places where such wares are made are called potteries. Pottery is one of the oldest human technologies and art-forms, and remains a major industry today. Ceramic art covers the art of pottery, whether in items made for use or purely for decoration.

Since ancient times, the art of pottery have been practiced in the state of Tamil Nadu. The most common example of the popularity of the art of pottery in the state is the use of Ayyannar horses. It is believed that these horses safeguard the village from evil. In Pudukottai and Salem, large terracotta horses are manufactured. These horses were made originally and were burned (fired) individually so as to achieve some strength. The horses were originally made and fired individually. The increase in demand of the terracotta art items led to the usage of moulds too.

Woodcraft

The artistic fiber products and basketry made in Tamil Nadu are huge in demand in Indian market as well as foreign markets. Palm is the chief source of getting raw material for the craft of basket making. Various other things like cane, bamboo, grasses, fibers and reeds are used in manufacturing ropes, baskets, mats and various other items. The chief centers of woodcraft are located in Salem, Dharampuri, Coimbatore, Tiruchirapalli and South Arcot districts.

Stone Carving

Very early in history, Tamil Nadu has reached the height of excellence in terms of Stone carving. Granite carving is limited to areas near Chingleput and Mamallapuram. The well known sculptors of these areas belong to Kammaalar or Vishwakarma community. Maakal carving or soapstone is an auxiliary form of carving, which is found in areas located between Cuddalore & Pondicherry and also around Salem.