Bringing Tradition Home: The Allure of Tanjore and Mysore Paintings

Visually alluring paintings were particularly encouraged during the royal dynastic rule in India and soon  three distinct schools of art developed — Deccani, Mysore and Thanjavur. Stylized representation of characters from mythology mainly fashioned the subject matter. Embracing copious epic tales, Lord Krishna remained every Tanjore and Mysore artist’s muse, apart from other deities.

Tints and organic pigments were used to paint the figures, arches and drapes. The Thanjavur art with raised levels to highlight jewels, drapery and architectural elements were originally embedded with diamond and precious stones covered with 24-carat gold leaf. It was this extra ornamental feature that differentiated the modest Mysore style with exclusive free-hand detailing and colouring with minimum superfluities.

The Thanjavur and Mysore paintings have been refurbished now to accommodate homes with modern sensibilities. The art itself has changed course to use semi-precious stones and copper foil with gold polish.

Madhurya Creations, an art restoration boutique in South Bangalore, undertakes customization of Tanjore and Mysore art, as the boutique can modify and use subjects to suit one’s décor and taste, while retaining the pristine original art form. The subject matter with contemporary expressions has the artists’ imagination too, while the art maintains its bygone dignity and piety.

While gold foils, precious and semi-precious stones extensively add to the grandeur of each piece, the stones are said to bring positive energy into every space. Madhurya’s comprehension from leading artists and art aficionados has it that these valued pieces enhance life force and vitality of the surrounding.

The paintings stocked at the boutique are well-protected from termites as they are enclosed in sturdy designed frames. Some of the oldest paintings sourced from Tamil Nadu and Mysore have quality 22-carat gold foils and gold milk used for ensuring longevity.

The artists associated with Madhurya also trace the significance of each colour in the paintings that represent one of the five elements, each radiating specific energies. Take gold for instance, the precious metal adds opulence and warmth to everything that it is associated with. So do not miss having a customized royal piece, after all, such regal extravaganzas are best for wedding gifts too that symbolize permanence!

Even as we observe that abstract paintings have a large following worldwide, there still seems to be a sizeable percentage of connoisseurs vouching for the old-world charm in India, like the creative novelty involved in Thanjavur and Mysore paintings. What are the exceptional features and intricacies of the two art schools that belonged to the regal era?

1. Stylised modelling of characters chosen from mythology mainly form the subject matter of the two paintings that flourished during the golden era of the royals.

2. The inherent richness and glory involved could only have been fostered by royal patronage as it wasn’t just limited to drawing and painting alone, but encrusted with gem-stones and 22 carat gold sheets.

3. Once the dynasty rule ended in India, the art started fading away. The last two-three decades have seen Thanjavur and Mysore art getting revived with education and awareness sessions, helping the bygone brush be picked up once again for an en masse movement. While Indian homes have been increasingly witnessing a resurgence of native hand works in interiors, original Tanjore and Mysore paintings are today part of one’s collectibles too.

4. Tanjore paintings, characterised by the use of primary colours, are basically made on cloth and then clamped onto a wooden piece. A special adhesive (Arabian gum and flour) is used in raised levels for adding an effect to highlight jewels, drapery and architectural elements like pillars and canopies. Use of semi-precious stones with foils of silver and other metals, instead of gold leaf, was a contemporary inclusion for making the art more affordable.

5.  Madhurya Creations not only sources these royal works from Tamil Nadu and Mysore, but re-creates them from specialized artists.

6. Madhurya has a large collection - with Thanjavur paintings available from 6-inch x 6-inch to 12 feet originals done decades ago.

 7. The paintings are available, both framed and otherwise. The framed ones, tucked in Chettinad carved wood, are well-protected and have been termite-treated for ensuring longevity.

Thanjavur paintings or Tanjore art  

 The Kings and Queens fostered the art during dynastic rule, as it was not limited to drawing and painting alone, but encrusted with 22 carat gold sheets and encrusted with gem stones. Thanjavur painting is a native art being brought back into circulation by art and culture enthusiasts and several art schools where senior artists teach and guide students. The revival boutique Madhurya Creations, in touch with thousands of artisans involved in handmade creations, has been sourcing Thanjavur paintings, as the art still retains a stately decorum of the past glory.

Tanjore paintings are characterised by the use of primary colours, are basically made on cloth and then clamped onto a wooden piece. A special adhesive (Arabian gum and flour) is used in raised levels for adding an effect to highlight jewels, drapery and architectural elements like pillars and canopies. Use of semi-precious stones with foils of silver and other metals, instead of goldleaf, was a contemporary inclusion for making the art more affordable.

Thanjavur art that adorned the walls and ceilings of Madurai Meenakshi Temple in Tamil Nadu is now entering every home because the subject matter involves not just gods and deities but of royal life, nature landscapes and flora. Madhurya Creations has some of the rarest gigantic sized old paintings sourced from artists themselves in Tamil Nadu which have gold and pure stones.

 The boutique also undertakes custom-made paintings to suit every décor and taste. The paintings are available both framed and otherwise. The framed ones, tucked in Chettinad carved wood, are well-protected and have been termite-treated for ensuring longevity.

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