Thanjavur Painting
Thanjavur Painting, a classical art form from southern India, is a celebration of the region’s rich artistic tradition, named after the town of Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, India. Thanjavur paintings are known for their extravagant depictions of deities using vibrant colours and gaudy embellishments, especially gold foil. Though the art form has undergone various changes over the years, it continues to be popular with lovers of art even today, and inspires many artists with its truly Indian style.
Thanjavur painting drew inspiration from Indian art of the 16th century, when the Vijayanagara Rayas administered their vast kingdom in southern India through the Nayaka Governors. The Nayakas were great patrons of art and literature. Maratha palaces and buildings were adorned with large paintings of deities as well as Maratha rulers, courtiers and nobility.
Thanjavur paintings are typically completed on boards made from jackfruit or teak wood. Common themes in paintings include Bal Krishna, Lord Rama, as well as other gods, goddesses, saints and subjects from Hindu mythology. The technique of painting demanded a great deal of perseverance and perfection from artists. Furthermore, the creation of the artwork, considered a sacred task, was to be performed with some degree of ritual purity and humility by the master craftsmen. Remaining true to the Indian artistic tradition, most artists chose to remain anonymous and never signed their paintings.
10x12 Inches
Duration
40 Sessions (100 hrs)
- Basics of freehand drawing,
- Full portrait drawing of god and goddesses,
- sketch preparation,
- board making,
- embossing,
- painting & Framing
