Mythology In Gold: The Stories Behind Tanjore Paintings

Origins of Tanjore art

Tanjore paintings, also known as Thanjavur paintings, are a revered form of South Indian art that has a rich and storied history dating back to the 16th century.These paintings were created in the era of the Chola dynasty and the Nayak period and reached the highest point of their cultural significance during the Maratha period in the 18th century. Gold is one of the most distinguishing features of Tanjore art. The gold is placed on the decoration part of the canvas giving these paintings depth in their appearance. To add a touch of elegance and richness to the painting, they are adorned with precious stones like Kundan and Swarovski crystals. 

These paintings hold a very special place in most people’s hearts. They are treasured for their historical and cultural significance being classical art form. Tanjore art typically depicts various Hindu gods and goddesses and hence they are mostly placed in temples, homes, and other religious institutions as a form of religious devotion and decoration.  At temples, they are displayed as a part of the temple’s decor, and at homes, they are often displayed in living rooms or puja rooms as a symbol of wealth, religious faith, and culture. 

Tanjore paintings in recent years have become popular even among art collectors. Due to the popularity of these paintings, a lot of people from all over the world are now showing interest in learning this intricate art form. 

The Tanjore Technique

Tanjore paintings are mostly made on boards made from jackfruit or teak wood hence getting its name as ‘palagai padam’ meaning ‘picture on a wooden plank’. The use of vibrant colors and gold leaf embellishments are characteristic of Tanjore paintings along with pearls, cut glass, and precious and semi-precious stones used for decoration. 

Originally vegetable and mineral dyes as natural colors were used for these artworks, but over time, now chemical paints have taken over. The dazzling color palette of Tanjore paintings uses vibrant shades of reds, blues, and greens, along with the richness and dense compositions of these paintings, which are the key aspects that make them stand out from other Indian art forms. Bal Krishna, and Lord Rama along with other gods and goddesses, saints, and subjects from Hindu mythology are some of the common themes of Tanjore paintings. 

The time taken to create a Tanjore painting depends on the size, complexity, and level of detailing of the painting. On average, a small to medium-sized painting can take several weeks to complete while a large with intricately detailed painting can take several months to complete. The process of creating a Tanjore painting is time-consuming and requires a great deal of skill and attention to detail.

Materials used

To create the unique and recognizable style of Tanjore paintings, a range of materials are used, each carefully selected and combined. Over the years, the materials used for these paintings have also evolved depending on access to materials, availability, and several other reasons.

Wooden Board, Jesso (A mixture of edible gum, chalk powder, and limestone is used for embossing), Gold sheets ( The quality of gold goes up to 24 carats.), Kundan Stones - (Precious and semi-precious gems and stones add depth and texture to the artwork.), and Paints are some of the essential materials used for the creation of Tanjore paintings. 

Different types of Tanjore art

Tanjore art differs from the gods and goddesses that they depict to the themes and landscapes used. As with any art form, the techniques and styles have kept evolving and they continue to do so. Nowadays, there is a trend to give these paintings a three-dimensional look by exaggerating the embossed effect of Tanjore paintings, using plaster of paris on wooden planks. While most people are drawn to Tanjore paintings for their tradition, even this art is not immune to trends and experimentation.

Thriving Against the Tide of Time

By a few dedicated artists based in Tamil Nadu, the tradition of Tanjore painting is kept alive even today. Jackfruit and teak wood have been replaced by plywood with the shift to the use of synthetic colors in artworks. 

Today, Tanjore paintings still have a broad appeal. They have been commercialized extensively and can be found being sold even in street markets, in recent times. Although the art form has stood the test of time and continues to be popular, the general decline in quality is worrying to many art lovers. To ensure that the art form continues to thrive while retaining all the rich, traditional, and artistic elements that make up the essence of the art form of Tanjore painting, workshops and training camps are being held.