Discovering
The Art
Of Tanjore
Paintings In
Southern India
By Debi Lander
Early one morning, I toured
the UNESCO World Heritage
Brihadeeswarar Temple, also known
as the Big Temple in Tanjore or
Thanjavur, a city in Tamil Nadu. The
fact that this temple celebrated its
one thousandth anniversary in 2010
really astounded me. So often, I see
ancient relics in museums and try to
imagine life around them. However,
this sacred site has remained in
continual use, much the same for
those worshipping there today as
centuries ago. Many Hindus came
with extended families, dressed in
their “Sunday” best. They bring
flower offerings, reverently pause
and touch icons, and pray. I had to sit
down to absorb the great heritage
of this sanctuary.
My Ganesha
Painting
Afterward, my schedule called for
me to see traditional artwork of
the area and perhaps even shop and
purchase a piece. Tanjore is famous
for its paintings; artworks created
in a style and technique that
originated in the city during
the 16th century.
A typical Tanjore painting contains
one main figure, a Hindu deity, with
a well-rounded body and almond
shaped eyes. This two-dimensional
figure is typically enclosed by an
arch or curtains. The artist uses
a gilded and gem-setting technique
- a process where gold leaf and
sparkling stones highlight certain
aspects of the painting and add
depth.
These pieces, like all of India, are
bright, radiant and breathtaking.
They add a glowing presence when
placed in a darkened room. Works
are considered sacred to the master
craftsmen who usually choose to
remain anonymous.
ALL PHOTOS
COPYRIGHT
DEBI LANDER
DISCLOSURE
MY TRIP TO INDIA WAS
SELF-FUNDED, BUT
ASSISTED BY BHASKAR
KRISHNAMURTHY
ALL PHOTOS BY LEAH WALKER.
I
ndia bombarded my senses, mostly
in good ways, although I admit
I did not visit the slums in Mumbai.
I swear I smelled curry as soon as
I deplaned. My eyes feasted on
vibrant colors all around. I felt
I was looking at life through a 3-D
kaldeiscope, one that was amplifying
the intensity like a picture Photoshopped with extra saturation.
Pastel colored temples somehow
shone as bright as neon. Golden
statues of deities glowed with a life
force. Women in shimmering saris,
juxtaposed in hues and pattern 2