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Thanjavur Painting – The Sacred Art of Tamil Nadu

1. Name & Origin

Thanjavur Painting, also known as Tanjore Painting, is a classical South Indian art form that originated in the town of Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, during the 16th century under the Nayaka rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire. The art style flourished further under the Marathas (1676–1855), evolving into the form we recognize today.

Historically, Thanjavur paintings were devotional artworks created for temples, palaces, and religious institutions. The paintings primarily depict Hindu deities, saints, and mythological themes, making them an integral part of South Indian temple culture. These works of art were considered auspicious and often placed in household shrines to bless families with prosperity and devotion.

In 2007, Thanjavur Painting was granted Geographical Indication (GI) status, ensuring the authenticity of its origin and preservation of its artistic tradition.

Image Credit: Tamil Tanjore Art Gallery.
Image Credit: Tamil Tanjore Art Gallery.

2. Unique Features

Thanjavur Paintings are known for their rich colors, gold embellishments, and intricate detailing, making them one of the most distinctive traditional art forms in India.

Key Features:

  • Use of Gold Foil – 22-karat gold leaf is used to create a shimmering effect, making the paintings visually opulent.

  • Religious Themes – Most paintings depict Hindu deities such as Lord Krishna, Ganesha, Lakshmi, and Saraswati, often set within grand temple-like structures.

  • Gesso Work – Raised relief work known as "gesso" adds depth and texture to the painting.

  • Vibrant Colors – A striking palette of red, blue, green, and yellow is commonly used, creating a bold contrastwith the gold leaf.

  • Glass Beads & Semi-Precious Stones – Embedded in the painting to enhance decorative richness.

  • Wooden Panel Base – Unlike canvas-based paintings, Thanjavur art is traditionally done on a wooden plank, giving it durability.



3. Making Process

The creation of a Thanjavur painting is a highly skilled and labor-intensive process that follows a traditional method passed down through generations.

Step 1: Preparing the Wooden Base

  • The painting is done on seasoned wooden planks (jackfruit or teak wood).

  • A canvas is pasted on the wood using Arabic gum and coated with a mixture of limestone powder and tamarind seed paste to create a smooth surface.

Step 2: Sketching & Outlining

  • The artist sketches the main deity and surrounding elements using natural dyes or charcoal.

Step 3: Gesso & Gold Work

  • The gesso paste (a mixture of chalk powder and gum) is applied to raised areas such as jewelry, crowns, and ornaments.

  • Gold leaf (22K or 24K) is carefully pressed onto the embossed areas for a rich metallic finish.

Step 4: Painting & Coloring

  • Colors are applied layer by layer, using natural vegetable dyes and mineral pigments (in traditional paintings) or chemical colors (in modern adaptations).

Step 5: Finishing Touches

  • Fine details are added using a single-haired brush, and glass beads or semi-precious stones are embedded to enhance the artwork.

Image Credit: D’source.
Image Credit: D’source.

4. Link to Temple Culture & Religious Significance

Thanjavur paintings hold a deep spiritual connection to South Indian temple culture. They were originally commissioned for adorning temple walls, depicting Hindu gods, saints, and religious narratives.

Key Temple Associations:

  • Brihadeeswarar Temple (Thanjavur) – Murals inside this UNESCO World Heritage temple showcase early influences of Tanjore painting.

  • Meenakshi Temple (Madurai) – Features paintings of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar in a similar artistic style.

  • Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple (Srirangam) – Tanjore-style artwork depicting the Vaishnavite traditions.

These paintings were also used in household puja rooms, mutts (Hindu monasteries), and palace prayer halls, reinforcing their sacred and ritualistic significance.



5. Authenticity & Identification

Due to the popularity of Thanjavur paintings, counterfeit reproductions have flooded the market. Here’s how to identify a genuine Thanjavur painting:

Real Gold Leaf – Authentic paintings use 22K or 24K gold foil, while fake ones may use gold-colored paint.

Gesso Work (Embossed Effect) – Raised areas in the artwork indicate handmade craftsmanship, while printed replicas lack texture.

Wooden Base – Traditional paintings are on jackfruit or teak wood, whereas fake ones may use canvas or plastic boards.

GI Certification – A genuine Thanjavur painting carries the Geographical Indication (GI) tagand a certificate of authenticity.



6. Challenges

Despite its historic and artistic significance, Thanjavur painting faces several challenges:

  • Decline of Traditional Artists – Fewer artisans are learning the craft due to lack of financial incentives.

  • Imitation & Mass Production – Machine-made replicas and printed versions reduce the demand for authentic hand-painted artworks.

  • Shift to Synthetic Materials – Traditional vegetable dyes and gold leaf are being replaced with synthetic paints and cheaper metals, impacting quality.

  • Weak Enforcement of GI Status – Many uncertified artists misuse the "Tanjore Painting" label, undermining the value of authentic works.



7. Fun Facts

  • Thanjavur paintings were historically commissioned by kings and wealthy patrons as gifts for temples.

  • Unlike other Indian paintings, Tanjore art follows a symmetrical, centered composition, focusing on a divine figure.

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a Thanjavur painting to foreign dignitaries, showcasing India’s cultural heritage globally.

  • A special postal stamp featuring Thanjavur painting was issued by the Indian government in 2018.

  • The Saraswathi Mahal Library in Thanjavur houses some of the oldest and rarest Tanjore paintings from the Maratha era.


References:

  1. Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act 1999 (India)

  2. Thanjavur Painting (Government of India, GI Registry, 2007) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographical_indication accessed 24 February 2025

  3. Archaeological Survey of India – Brihadeeswarar Temple https://asi.nic.in accessed 24 February 2025

  4. Thanjavur Painting: A Cultural Legacy (Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation, 2015) https://tnhandicrafts.tn.gov.in accessed 24 February 2025

  5. ‘Thanjavur Paintings – A Fusion of Art and Devotion’ The Hindu (Chennai, 10 June 2018) https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/art/thanjavur-paintings-legacy/article6074700.ece accessed 24 February 2025

  6. Thanjavur: A Cultural History by Pradeep Chakravarthy (Niyogi Books, 2017) ISBN 978-93-86906-42-8

  7. ‘Tanjore Paintings: Gold-Leafed Religious Art from South India’ British Museum Archiveshttps://www.britishmuseum.org/research accessed 24 February 2025

  8. A History of Indian Painting: The Modern Period by Krishna Chaitanya (Abhinav Publications, 1994) ISBN 8170173108

  9. The Vijayanagara Empire and Its Art by Anna Dallapiccola (Mapin Publishing, 2010) ISBN 978-0-7141-2424-7

  10. ‘Women Queue Up to Learn Thanjavur Painting’ Times of India (Coimbatore, 7 August 2019) https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/women-queue-up-to-learn-thanjavur-painting/articleshow/21738811.cms accessed 24 February 2025


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