Striking godly figures in vibrant colours embellished with gold and
gems - that's
Tanjore Art. The Tanjore school of painting dates back
to the 16th century and developed as a result of the Bhakti
Cult. This unique Art form has its origin in Tanjore
in South India. The portrayal of figures in these paintings are breathtakingly
brilliant. The early paintings were embedded with real diamonds, rubies
and other precious stones.
This highly complicated art involves several processes like sketching,
mug work (applying a special paste on the board to give an embossed
effect on the picture), inlaying the coloured semiprecious stones,
pasting the gold foil, and finally the fine art of painting. Tanjore
A r t paintings adoring any wall, enriches the ambience and adds to
its elegance and charm.
The early paintings were almost entirely flat, highly ornamented,
always glittering and showed the depth of composition. The faces of
the figures, chubby and cherub-like, wear an expression of contemplation.
The men are broad-chested and women-large bosomed, with rounded shoulders,
which are the special traits of Tanjores.
 The
Tanjore paintings were originally made for display in temple corridors
and for 'puja rooms' of wealthy patrons of art. There is at present
a revival of interest in Tanjores, which is finding increasing patronage
in Museums, private collections and in the homes of connoisseurs of
art.
Premalatha, a housewife from the city has been teaching
this form of art for the past 15 years. She regularly conducts Tanjore
Painting classes in Indiranagar and Cunningham road. "This art
is catching on like fire and the over-whelming domestic and international
demand for these 'icons of India' has resulted in an acute shortage
of these paintings," says Premalatha.
The prominent colours used in this art are red, green, yellow, black,
white and orange. The making of each piece is a meticulous art and
can take up to 15 days for completion depending on the size. "The
paintings are mostly of gods and goddesses because this art flourished
at a time when fine looking temples were being constructed by rulers
of several dynasties. Of late, painters of Tanjore figures are experimenting
with more proportioned figures, birds, animals and flowers," says
Premalatha.
Gold foils are used lavishly to add to the opulence of these paintings.
Dyes are used to add vibrant colours to the figures in the painting
and, finally, it is framed to accentuate the beauty of the paintings.
For more information on Tanjore paintings and to find
out how you can decorate the walls in your home in a contemporary
setting by purchasing custom made paintings,
contact:
Premalatha,
'Kiran Kutir', 213, Bank Avenue,
Kalyananagar,
Bangalore-560 043
Phone:2545 2394
Classes conducted at:
207, 7th Cross, CMH Road, I Stage, Indiranagar, Bangalore.
| Photographs and Text by Aditi Kumar |
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