Introduction
Art has forever been a statement of culture, history, tradition and heritage. Each stroke, each color, recounts to a story that has traveled through ages. Among the many types of traditional Indian art, Tanjore painting stands apart for its wealth and magnificence. Beginning from the southern piece of India, it isn’t simply a painting yet an impression of royalty and heavenliness.
Tanjore paintings, otherwise called “Thanjavur paintings,” derive their name from the town called Thanjavur in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. These artistic creations are known for their vibrant use of colors, surface lavishness, and minimal structure. The impressive practice of using a gold foil in order to create a three dimensional effect sets them apart from other ancient Indian art. The subjects of these canvases frequently portray Hindu divine beings and goddesses, making them exceptionally loved in homes, temples and places of worship.
This traditional Indian art, which thrived under the rule of the Nayakas of Thanjavur, is today viewed as one of the best ancient art traditions of India. Notwithstanding, regardless of its greatness, Tanjore painting is viewed as a “under-appreciated skill,” with less craftsmen taking up the specialty in present day times.
The Origins of Tanjore Painting
Tanjore painting has profound roots that follow back to the 1500s during the reign of the Nayak dynasty in the Thanjavur area. The rulers of that era were extraordinary admirers of artworks, particularly temple arts. Roused by wall paintings and sculptures, Tanjore painting emerged as a fascinating artwork in a unique form, mixing local and regional styles with impacts from Maratha rulers who took over Thanjavur in the 1600s.
This ancient Indian art form was at first used to enhance the walls of temples and castles, making it an imperial and heavenly symbol. The method includes complex detailing and layering, ordinarily on wooden boards, with the central and focal figure being a god. Over the long run, craftsmen started integrating gold leaf to make an extravagant impact, making the compositions more interesting to the royal family and exclusive classes. This additional a degree of richness that became inseparable from South Indian sovereignty and dedication.
The timetable of Tanjore painting can be partitioned into three significant stages: its starting point during the period of Nayak dynasty, its extension under Maratha rulers, and its possible decrease in influence during the colonialism. Albeit this traditional Indian art prospered for north of two centuries, the appearance of European impacts during the English colonialism denoted the start of its decline.
What value did Tanjore paintings hold in culture and heritage?
Religious Importance
The focus of Tanjore paintings is the portrayal of Hindu Gods and Goddesses, citing is their various interesting stories. Southern part of India does have a strong religious tradition, and these paintings actually depict an vital role in depicting devotion and sheer faithfulness towards the religious and spiritual power. It is easy to find these traditional Indian paintings in temples, homes, giving importance to the deep rooted traditional beliefs. Hence, Tanjore paintings serves to preserve the ancient stories of India. Indeed, it does have a depth of impact in the storytelling traditions of the southern part of India.
Cultural Identity
There is a profound relationship of Tanjore paintings with social festivals and ceremonies in South India. At the time of celebrations, rituals and extraordinary events, these canvases are displayed and admired affectionately. Also, numerous Tanjore works of art portray stories that convey moral and social lessons for the society. These depictions go about as providing significant direction for individuals of South India. Accordingly, they are instrumental in bestowing social qualities and morals to people in the future.
Temple Architecture
Tanjore paintings are an essential piece of the stylistic layout of numerous temples in South India. These artworks have bright pictorial depictions of Hindu stories. The gold embellishments add magnificence and a social stamp to the stylistic layout of the grand temples. Additionally, Tanjore paintings compositions have impact even on temple plans. They cause whole temples look and to feel socially rich and profoundly significant for individuals who visit them.
What are the materials and how is the process?
Tanjore paintings are made utilizing a scope of materials, each rightfully chosen and mixed to make the unique and conspicuous style of Tanjore art. Throughout the long term, the materials utilized for these works of art have likewise developed contingent upon accessibility, admittance to materials and various different reasons.
- Wooden Board – The foundation of the painting is commonly produced using a wooden board, which fills in as a canvas for the craftsmanship.
- Jesso – A combination of palatable gum, chalk powder and limestone is utilized for embellishing. This is then utilized to add level and profundity to the works of art. The Jesso is typically applied utilizing a cone or a brush.
- Gold sheets – Gold as sheets or leaves is utilized to add shine and grandeur to the paintings. They are commonly applied to the emblazoned sections of the canvas. The nature of gold can be up to 24 carats.
- Kundan Stones – Precious and semi-precious stones are used to add profoundness and texture to the paintings. These gems or stones are rather with care are used to create an exquisite pattern of detailed designs, which add beauty and richness to the art form.
- Paint – Initially, the paint utilized in Tanjore paintings were produced using organic, natural shades, like vegetable and mineral colors. However, these days, with the development of materials and accessibility, specialists use poster paints, which give the works of art their vibrant, dynamic and rich color range.
How much time it takes to make a Tanjore painting can fluctuate extraordinarily depending on it’s size, intricacy, and level of detail of the composition. All things considered, a little to medium-sized painting can require half a month to finish. A huge and unpredictably point by point painting can require a while to finish. The most common way of making a Tanjore painting is tedious and requires a lot of expertise and meticulousness.
A Tale Through Tanjore Art
Few centuries ago, in the Tanjore empire, an admired king named Serfoji II went for a walk though his palace. As he strolled past, his eyes fell upon the sculptures and carvings for which, he felt amazed and kept on gazing. He later paused before a shrine which depicted a grandeur painting of Lord Krishna sat on a kingly throne proudly. The painting reflected shine as almost, the gold himself was blessing the king with his divine presence.
Serfoji II, a vigorous supporter of craftsmanship, was hypnotized by the magnificence and glory of the painting. It wasn’t simply the striking tones or the multifaceted plans that captivated him. It was the sheer and sudden fascination the painting caught. He called his court craftsmen and requested that they make a greater amount of these sublime traditional Indian painting, to deify the narratives of Hindu divine beings, goddesses, and holy people in gold and lively colors.
This exact moment was the beginning of the golden age of Tanjore painting. The painters of Tanjore were not simply specialists; they were narrators and ardent admirers. During that age, the brushstrokes behaved like prayers, each color utilized had an importance, and the gold foil added to the work of art represented the immaculateness and magnificence of the heavenly.
How did Tanjore paintings evolved and got it’s current form?
In 1676, Thanjavur was captured by Ekoji, the relative of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, for Adil Shah of Bijapur and laid out the Maratha rule in the locale. The Maratha rulers were incredible supporters of craftsmanship and specialists. During the reign of Serfoji II in Thanjavur, the Thanjavur painting style thrived into its ongoing structure.
The Maratha craftsmen initiated development into the conventional Tanjore Painting style to make it more rich and astounding. They presented ornamentation of Tanjore Artworks by utilizing gesso work, glass, precious stones and gold foil to draw out the sparkle. Maratha craftsmen additionally presented the converse class painting method into the Tanjore Painting style. Serfoji II’s rule was while Tanjore Painting and other fine arts went through advancement and extraordinarily prospered.
How about we turn back the clock to the old times, in the court of Serfoji II, one of the great Maratha leaders of Thanjavur in the late 1700s. Well known for his affection for artistic expression and culture, Serfoji II was instrumental in authorizing various Tanjore artworks to enhance his castle. One specific composition hangs out ever, for its magnificence as well as for the story it tells.
In the work of art, we see Serfoji II sitting on the throne, with Lord Krishna providing his blessings. The background has been complexly detailed, with temple towers also depicting festival season. This painting is said to have been appointed after Serfoji II recaptured his throne and position with the assistance of the East India Company. The Lord Krishna figure addresses divine endorsement of his rule, the encompassing figures — court performers, artists, and chaperons — address the success and harmony that Serfoji brought to Thanjavur.
Indeed, after the end of the Maratha empire and the overwhelming of the East India company, the South Indian work of art got tremendous prominence. Post Mysore battles of 1767-1799, the East India company occupied the province of Thanjavur and significantly glorified the Tanjore Painting style.
In 1773, when the British colonialism introduced its army stationing in the city for it’s soldiers, the talented Tanjore craftsmen showed their specialty for British rulers. The work of art style engaged British interests. The British leaned toward the South Indian work of art and urged Indian craftsmen to depict various scenes of Indian celebrations, customs, greenery, and fauna in Tanjore paintings.
For those interested in learning more about Tanjore painting or even attempting to create their own, there are several resources available online. Here are some useful links for further reading:
- Tanjore Painting Techniques: A Complete Guide
- The History and Significance of Tanjore painting
- Learning Tanjore Painting: A Beginner’s Workshop
- Buying Authentic Tanjore Painting
In the end, whether you are an art lover, a history enthusiast, or someone looking to explore traditional Indian art, Tanjore painting offers a glimpse into a world where devotion, royalty, and artistic excellence converge. Let us cherish and preserve this ancient Indian art form for future generations to admire and learn from.
Checkout our Blog Page on the Traditional Indian art.
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