Tanjore Paintings
PAINTINGS OF INDIA – TANJORE PAINTINGS
Tanjore painting or Thanjavur Oviyam is an important paint form of classical South Indian painting. It is native to the town of Thanjavur (Tanjore) in Tamil Nadu, India. This art form stretches back to about a period, when Nayakas of Tanjavur encouraged art work, the classical dance and music, literature both in Telugu and Tamil Culture.
Tanjore paintings are known for their surface richness, this painting mostly uses the vivid type of colours and compact composition. The themes of most of these paintings are Hindu gods and goddesses, and pictures depicting Saints of India. Tanjore paintings are in fact panel paintings done on solid wood planks, and are also refferred to as palagai padam (palagai means ‘wooden plank’ padam means ‘picture’).
In this modern times, these paintings have become souvenirs during festive occasions in South India, Mostly it is designed in pieces to decorate the walls, or different items for art lovers.