Thanjavur paintings is an extremely revered art form. The earliest origins are of the Nayak rulers when this form of art was encouraged. Creating this art requires patience, dedication and promise. This form of artistic expression flourished under the rule of the Maratha rulers which have inspiration to the artisans and create more Thanjavur art work. The reason why this art form is extremely well known is because of its Gold Leaf Techniques. Every detail tells a different story. It can make anyone fall in love with art because these paintings are a promise of artistic expression.
Themes
These paintings were a way to worship God. Therefore, events of Bhagvat Purana were often showcased. Lord Shiva was shown in the form of Shankar when he partakes in the dance of Tandava. God Krishna is showcased when he was a small child and Mata Yashoda used to take care of him and not allow him to eat a lot of butter. These Thanjavur paintings are not merely works of art but also a preservation of the rich culture, history and mythology of our country. It keeps legends like Gautam Buddha alive in the hearts of people. People sometimes decorate Thanjavur paintings in the praying room of the house which invokes a sense of devotion in them and inspires other as well to devote themselves under the worship of God. Other than that, it also gives an opportunity to craftsmen to showcase skilled labor and get appropriate payments for their labor of love. The best part about these paintings is that they are created using natural materials. For example, the color of yellow is taken from turmeric and the color red is taken from beetroot. These paintings possess a royal look because they are created from a range of precious stones. The detailing on the paintings is done with the help of fine lining of brush strokes. The Gold leaf, which is the chief component of the painting is carefully put on the painting, as the best touch, with the help of a special type of adhesive. There is no Thanjavur painting which is made without a layer of varnish added to it. Other gemstones might also be added for decoration.
Evolution
Earlier, the stories of the gods and goddesses were showcased. Now, artisans often create paintings which depicts the importance of saving the environment and taking a stand for what is significant in life. The gold leaf technique is done by preparing tye Gold Leaf by beating it properly to create the thinnest of sheets. They are beaten so well that they almost look transparent. This is how the paintings have Evolved, and are still loved by people who have value for art.
Additional Details
When it comes to”Thanjavur Paintings of Tamil Nadu: Gold Leaf Techniques and Temple Inspired Narratives”as mentioned above, the Gold leaf is silently attached with the help of adhesive after which the artisans burnish the Gold leaf to make a shiny surface which is absolutely smooth in nature. The narrative of the paintings are often Inspired By Temple stories as they showcase elements of nature like God Surya as heat, God Varun as the power of water and God Vayu as air. It also depicts hindu goddesses like Mata Chandravati and Mata Sita. These paintings would add a touch of royalty to your house, making your room look properly luxurious. According to various reports, they also add a sense of peace to where they are put. If you want to add something ethnic to your abode, Thanjavur paintings would be the right choice
Author
Shreeja Mukherjee