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Tracing its roots to the historical golden era of the
early 18th century, Tanjore artwork is one of the many
indigenous art forms for which India is noted. Originating
in Tanjore about 300 kms from Chennai( Madras), which
was the then capital of the Gupta empire, this form
of art developed at the height of cultural evolvement
achieved during that period.
An extraordinary visual amalgamation
of both art and craft, Tanjore paintings mainly consist
of themes on Hindu gods and goddesses. The characteristics
of the Tanjore paintings are its brilliant colour schemes,
decorative jewellery with stones and cut glasses and
its larger-than-life figures. The themes are mostly
mythological, with figures of Lord Krishna in various
poses and depicting various stages of his life being
the most favourite. Today people are experimenting with
birds, animals, building structures and other subjects.
Crafted
with meticulous care the Thanjavoor (Tanjore) pictures
are unique. What sets them apart from Indian paintings
in general are the embellishments made over the basic
drawings with precious and semi-precious stones as well
as the relief work which gives them a three dimensional
effect. The pictures are of various sizes, ranging from
huge works spanning whole walls to small miniatures
no longer than 6-inch square.
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